The term, used to describe online content designed to provoke anger and spark controversy, topped a public vote organised by German publisher Langenscheidt, ahead of ‘Peak’ and ‘Crashout’.
‘Ragebait’ has been named Germany’s youth word of the year for 2026, taking first place in an online poll organised by Langenscheidt. The publisher announced the result at the Frankfurt Book Fair, with ‘Peak’ and ‘Crashout’ finishing second and third.
Borrowed from English, ‘ragebait’ refers to posts and other online content deliberately created to provoke anger, trigger arguments and attract attention. Such material often relies on false claims or deliberately inflammatory opinions to generate comments, likes and wider reach on social media.
The term is also used in everyday conversations among young people to describe statements or actions they consider particularly provocative or foolish.
The word had already gained recognition in the UK, where Oxford University Press selected ‘rage bait’ as its word of the year for 2025.
According to Langenscheidt, 36.5 per cent of voters chose ‘Ragebait’ in the German poll. ‘Peak’ came a close second with around 34 per cent of the vote. The English word, meaning the highest point or summit, is used by young people to describe something considered outstanding or the best possible example of its kind. A concert, for instance, might be described as “peak”.
‘Crashout’ received approximately 30 per cent of the votes. The slang term describes losing one’s temper or reacting in an uncontrolled, emotionally charged way. Langenscheidt says it can be used both seriously and ironically. One example would be: “If my battery dies now, I’m going to crash out.”
The annual youth word is selected through an anonymous online vote open to people aged 11 to 20. Langenscheidt does not verify whether participants provide their correct ages, nor does it disclose the exact number of voters.
The publisher said around one million young people had taken part since the campaign began. Last year, it reported nearly two million votes. In 2025, ‘Das crazy’ won the title, ahead of ‘Goonen’ and ‘Checkst du’.
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