Binge-watching

The word binge is derived from an old English dialect verb meaning ‘to soak’, hence its association with (alcoholic) liquid over-indulgence. Since its first recorded use in this sense, in the mid-19th century, the range of binge- worthy activities has extended to include eating, gambling, drug-taking, shopping and now TV-watching. The rapid increase in this last pastime inspired Collins Dictionaries to name binge-watch as their Word of the Year in 201 Binge-watching tends to involve relentless consumption of a particular show or series – made possible by streaming services such as Netflix –so is a far cry from the unmotivated channel-surfing of the couch potato.