Top 10 Slang Words of the 2010s
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Sean Newman
Who exactly makes these up anyway? Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Slang Words of the2010s. For this list, we're looking at words that have gained mainstream popularity in the 2010s in the English language.
Special thanks to our user ViolaCello for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Who exactly makes these up anyway? Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Slang Words of the2010s. For this list, we're looking at words that have gained mainstream popularity in the 2010s in the English language.
Special thanks to our user ViolaCello for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Slang Words of the 2010s
Who exactly makes these up anyway? Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Slang Words of the 2010s.
For this list, we’re looking at words that have gained mainstream popularity in the 2010s in the English language. However, they don’t necessarily need to be Webster Dictionary-approved or have originated in that decade. What’s important is their significance in pop culture, social media, and day-to-day conversation these days.
#10: Turnt
A play on the words ‘turned’ and ‘up’, turnt is generally used to describe an individual who is drunk, high, or at the very least, overly excited. Just like many picks on our list, its exact origins are a little hazy. However, Roscoe Dash’s 2010 single “All the Way Turnt Up” certainly helped pave the wave for its use in the modern-day vernacular. Since it’s a personal favorite of college students, only the best parties, bars, and concerts are worthy of this label.
#9: On Fleek
No one quite understands the history behind this one, but “on fleek” manages to appear in social media captions everywhere. Generally used to describe something that is on point, or up to very high standards, the term gained mass-appeal through Vine. It’s one of those things that became famous simply for the sake of being famous. Ironically, it’s also one of Kim Kardashian’s favorite hashtags on Twitter. As such, “On Fleek” is most likely to be found in Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter captions. While anything can technically earn this prestigious accolade, it always seems to be eyebrows that are “on fleek” the most.
#8: YOLO
Buried in homework but your friends want to go out? YOLO! Craving fatty foods? YOLO! Wanna try out a risky new hairstyle? You guessed it: YOLO! According to rapper Drake, You Only Live Once is the motto to live by. Since his 2011 hit single, YOLO has evolved into a lifestyle for the young, wild, and free. While YOLO has been scrutinized by some for promoting dangerous decisions, there’s no denying its cultural impact in recent years. Due to countless parodies and homages, it’s clear that for better or for worse, YOLO is here to stay.
#7: Vape
E-cigarettes have gained enormous popularity in the past decade. With growing concern over the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes, these electronic devices have been presented as an alternative. While traditional cigarettes use smoke as a medium for tobacco intake, e-cigs rely on vaporized liquid; hence vaping. Vaping is one of the more practical terms on our list, as it serves as a distinguisher between the two habits. Recently, vaping has also been taken to social media as an art form similar to smoke rings - but with more style. Once again, Vine will ensure the continued prominence of this term.
#6: Swag
Love it or hate it, odds are you’ve been guilty of using this word once or twice. Artists such as Jay Z, Soulja Boy, and Justin Bieber have capitalized on the word’s popularity and ensured its presence in mainstream culture for years. Originating from the word ‘swagger,’ its meaning has developed to describe clothing and accessories in particular that are “hip” or “fly.” However, “swag”’s meaning is ever-changing, and some have even gone so far as to simply use it as filler in conversation and musical lyrics. We’re not mentioning any names, but you know who you are.
#5: Emoji
Some people are so fluent in emoji that text-only conversations have become a thing of the past. These digital images have become crucial to electronic communication since their introduction to smartphones. What keeps this sensation ever-growing is its constant, innovative spirit. We’ve already been given a Kimoji app, containing - you guessed it - Kim Kardashian emoji, and more celebrity emoji packs are on the way. We here at WatchMojo are excited to see what’s on the horizon for emoji; since we can only imagine that it will be huge.
#4: Bae
Just when you thought that annoying Facebook couples couldn’t make you any more squeamish, bae somehow became a thing. Whether it began as an acronym for “Before Anyone Else,” or simply an abbreviation of babe, Bae has established itself as a cornerstone of Instagram captions. It’s one of those tongue-in-cheek phrases that is typically said in jest. Occasionally however, that couple will post a gag-inducing caption about Bae and your faith in humanity will be tarnished. We’re just kidding of course, but there’s got to be a better pet name out there for you and your significant other, right, bae?
#3: App
Wanna know what the temperature is? There’s an app for that. Looking for your favorite songs from your favorite band? There’s an app for that. How about WatchMojo? There’s even an app for that! Sorry about our shameless self-promotion, but these days there truly is an app for just about everything. App, short for application, typically refers to a specialized computer program downloaded for electronic devices. The introduction of the Apple and Google App stores cemented the popularity of this phenomenon for the unforeseen future. Since then, millions of apps have been introduced to enhance productivity, waste time, and everything in between.
#2: Hashtag
With its current usage originating with Twitter, hashtagging has expanded to practically all forms of social media. What makes the hashtag special is its practical and diverse usages. Used to group similar topics together, hashtags serve as a way to collect public opinion on anything from #MomQuotes to #TigerBlood. At times light-hearted, this instrument has also helped spark political debate and allowed us to show support during times of tragedy. Politicians, athletes, and celebrities all use hashtags on a daily basis and their significance only continues to grow.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Retweet
Ship
Ratchet
#1: Selfie
Our top spot goes to the king of social media terminology. A selfie is loosely defined as a picture taken of oneself by oneself usually for the purpose of being uploaded online. Criticized by some as a symptom of narcissism, selfies have still managed to permeate countless cultures worldwide. Gone are the days of autographs; if you see somebody famous, ask them for a selfie! It seems that very little time can pass before another sensational selfie goes viral. The Academy Awards, the Vatican, the White House, and even outer space have all produced outstanding selfies, and along with the millions taken daily around the entire world, it seems like this phenomenon of self-portrait taking is here to stay.
Do you agree with our list? Which new slang word do you think deserves to be on our list? For more top 10s worth retweeting, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Who exactly makes these up anyway? Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Slang Words of the 2010s.
For this list, we’re looking at words that have gained mainstream popularity in the 2010s in the English language. However, they don’t necessarily need to be Webster Dictionary-approved or have originated in that decade. What’s important is their significance in pop culture, social media, and day-to-day conversation these days.
#10: Turnt
A play on the words ‘turned’ and ‘up’, turnt is generally used to describe an individual who is drunk, high, or at the very least, overly excited. Just like many picks on our list, its exact origins are a little hazy. However, Roscoe Dash’s 2010 single “All the Way Turnt Up” certainly helped pave the wave for its use in the modern-day vernacular. Since it’s a personal favorite of college students, only the best parties, bars, and concerts are worthy of this label.
#9: On Fleek
No one quite understands the history behind this one, but “on fleek” manages to appear in social media captions everywhere. Generally used to describe something that is on point, or up to very high standards, the term gained mass-appeal through Vine. It’s one of those things that became famous simply for the sake of being famous. Ironically, it’s also one of Kim Kardashian’s favorite hashtags on Twitter. As such, “On Fleek” is most likely to be found in Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter captions. While anything can technically earn this prestigious accolade, it always seems to be eyebrows that are “on fleek” the most.
#8: YOLO
Buried in homework but your friends want to go out? YOLO! Craving fatty foods? YOLO! Wanna try out a risky new hairstyle? You guessed it: YOLO! According to rapper Drake, You Only Live Once is the motto to live by. Since his 2011 hit single, YOLO has evolved into a lifestyle for the young, wild, and free. While YOLO has been scrutinized by some for promoting dangerous decisions, there’s no denying its cultural impact in recent years. Due to countless parodies and homages, it’s clear that for better or for worse, YOLO is here to stay.
#7: Vape
E-cigarettes have gained enormous popularity in the past decade. With growing concern over the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes, these electronic devices have been presented as an alternative. While traditional cigarettes use smoke as a medium for tobacco intake, e-cigs rely on vaporized liquid; hence vaping. Vaping is one of the more practical terms on our list, as it serves as a distinguisher between the two habits. Recently, vaping has also been taken to social media as an art form similar to smoke rings - but with more style. Once again, Vine will ensure the continued prominence of this term.
#6: Swag
Love it or hate it, odds are you’ve been guilty of using this word once or twice. Artists such as Jay Z, Soulja Boy, and Justin Bieber have capitalized on the word’s popularity and ensured its presence in mainstream culture for years. Originating from the word ‘swagger,’ its meaning has developed to describe clothing and accessories in particular that are “hip” or “fly.” However, “swag”’s meaning is ever-changing, and some have even gone so far as to simply use it as filler in conversation and musical lyrics. We’re not mentioning any names, but you know who you are.
#5: Emoji
Some people are so fluent in emoji that text-only conversations have become a thing of the past. These digital images have become crucial to electronic communication since their introduction to smartphones. What keeps this sensation ever-growing is its constant, innovative spirit. We’ve already been given a Kimoji app, containing - you guessed it - Kim Kardashian emoji, and more celebrity emoji packs are on the way. We here at WatchMojo are excited to see what’s on the horizon for emoji; since we can only imagine that it will be huge.
#4: Bae
Just when you thought that annoying Facebook couples couldn’t make you any more squeamish, bae somehow became a thing. Whether it began as an acronym for “Before Anyone Else,” or simply an abbreviation of babe, Bae has established itself as a cornerstone of Instagram captions. It’s one of those tongue-in-cheek phrases that is typically said in jest. Occasionally however, that couple will post a gag-inducing caption about Bae and your faith in humanity will be tarnished. We’re just kidding of course, but there’s got to be a better pet name out there for you and your significant other, right, bae?
#3: App
Wanna know what the temperature is? There’s an app for that. Looking for your favorite songs from your favorite band? There’s an app for that. How about WatchMojo? There’s even an app for that! Sorry about our shameless self-promotion, but these days there truly is an app for just about everything. App, short for application, typically refers to a specialized computer program downloaded for electronic devices. The introduction of the Apple and Google App stores cemented the popularity of this phenomenon for the unforeseen future. Since then, millions of apps have been introduced to enhance productivity, waste time, and everything in between.
#2: Hashtag
With its current usage originating with Twitter, hashtagging has expanded to practically all forms of social media. What makes the hashtag special is its practical and diverse usages. Used to group similar topics together, hashtags serve as a way to collect public opinion on anything from #MomQuotes to #TigerBlood. At times light-hearted, this instrument has also helped spark political debate and allowed us to show support during times of tragedy. Politicians, athletes, and celebrities all use hashtags on a daily basis and their significance only continues to grow.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Retweet
Ship
Ratchet
#1: Selfie
Our top spot goes to the king of social media terminology. A selfie is loosely defined as a picture taken of oneself by oneself usually for the purpose of being uploaded online. Criticized by some as a symptom of narcissism, selfies have still managed to permeate countless cultures worldwide. Gone are the days of autographs; if you see somebody famous, ask them for a selfie! It seems that very little time can pass before another sensational selfie goes viral. The Academy Awards, the Vatican, the White House, and even outer space have all produced outstanding selfies, and along with the millions taken daily around the entire world, it seems like this phenomenon of self-portrait taking is here to stay.
Do you agree with our list? Which new slang word do you think deserves to be on our list? For more top 10s worth retweeting, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
