But what makes a year feel "horrible"? Is it personal tragedy, global unrest, or just a relentless stream of minor mishaps? As we often look back on tumultuous times—whether it’s the Royal Family in 1992, the tumultuous 2016 in retrospect, or the ongoing challenges of our modern era—understanding how to endure, process, and eventually move past a disastrous 12-month stretch is crucial.

It is a Latin phrase that has become shorthand for pure, unadulterated chaos. Literally translating to a annus horribilis was famously brought into the public consciousness by Queen Elizabeth II in her 1992 speech, reflecting on a year of profound scandal, tragedy, and disappointment.

To truly understand the term, we must look at 1992, the year Queen Elizabeth II used it to describe her life. It was a year that saw:

Even early in 2026, some institutions, like university endowments, are looking back at 2025 as a "parade of horribles" featuring funding cuts and investigations. 4. How to Survive Your Own "Horrible Year"