Goblin mode
Goblin mode is a neologism for the rejection of societal expectations in a hedonistic manner without concern for one's self-image.[1] While usage of the term dates back to 2009 with varying definitions, the term went viral in early 2022.
The 2022 popularity derived from a tweet by Twitter shitposter Junlper featuring a doctored Fox News headline of an interview with actress Julia Fox, purporting her to have used the phrase.[2][3][4] The image prompted a large increase in online searches for goblin mode, leading Fox to clarify she did not use the term. Goblin mode has also been linked to a viral Reddit post in which a user admits to acting "like a goblin" when alone at home.[5][6]
The term went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok, often as a response to other trends such as cottagecore or self-improvement.[5][7] In April 2022, business magnate Elon Musk posted an image macro implicitly attributing his proposed acquisition of Twitter, Inc. to him being in "goblin mode".[8] In June 2022, the term was defined on Dictionary.com as "a slang term for a way of behaving that intentionally and shamelessly gives in to and indulges in base habits and activities without regard for adhering to social norms or expectations".[1] In December 2022, online respondents selected the term from Oxford Languages' shortlist, which also included metaverse and #IStandWith, as the Word of the Year.[9][10]
The popularity of goblin mode may be linked to a rejection of the perceived carefully curated lifestyles often presented by social media users. The trend has also been linked to a manner of coping with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on society, because it is described as a way of life that gives people permission to reject societal norms and embrace their basic instincts.[5][11][12]
See also
[edit | edit source]- Goblincore, a subculture inspired by the folklore of goblins
- Tang ping – Chinese neologism, "lying flat"
- Deviance (sociology)
- Iliza Shlesinger, who promoted the term "party goblin"
References
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