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'''First World problem''' is a [[slang]] term used to refer to issues in [[First World]] nations that are complained about only because of the absence of more pressing concerns.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hardy, Quentin|title=Eduardo Saverin's Billionaire Blues|url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/eduardo-saverins-billionaire-blues/|work=The New York Times|accessdate=25 January 2013|date=18 May 2012}}</ref> The term was added to the ''Oxford Dictionary Online'' in November 2012,<ref>{{cite web|title=First World problem definition|url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/First-World-problem?q=first+world+problem|website=Oxford Dictionaries Online|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> and to the ''[[Macquarie Dictionary]] Online'' in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/resources/view/word/of/the/year/|website=Macquarie Dictionary Online|publisher=Macquarie Dictionary|title=Word of the Year 2014}}</ref>
'''First World problem''' is a [[slang]] term used to refer to issues in [[First World]] nations that are complained about only because of the absence of more pressing concerns. Things that seem like not a big deal at all compared to some of the things that go on in other 2nd or 3rd world countries.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hardy, Quentin|title=Eduardo Saverin's Billionaire Blues|url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/eduardo-saverins-billionaire-blues/|work=The New York Times|accessdate=25 January 2013|date=18 May 2012}}</ref> The term was added to the ''Oxford Dictionary Online'' in November 2012,<ref>{{cite web|title=First World problem definition|url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/First-World-problem?q=first+world+problem|website=Oxford Dictionaries Online|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> and to the ''[[Macquarie Dictionary]] Online'' in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/resources/view/word/of/the/year/|website=Macquarie Dictionary Online|publisher=Macquarie Dictionary|title=Word of the Year 2014}}</ref>


The term "First World problem" first appeared in 1979 in G.&nbsp;K. Payne's work ''Built Environment'',<ref name=oed>{{cite web|title=First World (Special uses)|url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/249401#eid329946467|website=Oxford English Dictionary Online|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> but gained recognition as an [[Internet meme]] beginning in 2005, particularly on [[social networking]] sites like [[Twitter]] (where it became a popular [[hashtag]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voxxi.com/how-acknowledging-your-first-world-problems-can-make-you-happier/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130217004233/http://www.voxxi.com/how-acknowledging-your-first-world-problems-can-make-you-happier/ |dead-url=yes |archive-date=17 February 2013 |accessdate=25 January 2013 |title=How acknowledging your "First World problems" can make you happier |author=López, Tracy |date=11 July 2012 |publisher=Voxxi }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/11/20/oxford-dictionaries-adds-deets-4g-and-first-world-problems/|accessdate=25 January 2013|work=Time|date=20 November 2012|author=Steinmetz, Katy|title=Oxford Dictionaries adds 'deets', '4G' and 'First World problems'}}</ref> The term is used to minimize complaints about trivial issues by shaming the complainer,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/as-the-first-world-turns-20121122-29qzq.html|title=As the First World turns|author=Glover, Richard|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 November 2012|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref> or as good-humored self-deprecation.<ref name=oed /> [[UNICEF]] NZ conducted a survey of First World problems in [[New Zealand]], finding slow web access to be the most common.<ref name="NZHerald"/>
The term "First World problem" first appeared in 1979 in G.&nbsp;K. Payne's work ''Built Environment'',<ref name=oed>{{cite web|title=First World (Special uses)|url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/249401#eid329946467|website=Oxford English Dictionary Online|publisher=Oxford University Press|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> but gained recognition as an [[Internet meme]] beginning in 2005, particularly on [[social networking]] sites like [[Twitter]] (where it became a popular [[hashtag]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voxxi.com/how-acknowledging-your-first-world-problems-can-make-you-happier/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130217004233/http://www.voxxi.com/how-acknowledging-your-first-world-problems-can-make-you-happier/ |dead-url=yes |archive-date=17 February 2013 |accessdate=25 January 2013 |title=How acknowledging your "First World problems" can make you happier |author=López, Tracy |date=11 July 2012 |publisher=Voxxi }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/11/20/oxford-dictionaries-adds-deets-4g-and-first-world-problems/|accessdate=25 January 2013|work=Time|date=20 November 2012|author=Steinmetz, Katy|title=Oxford Dictionaries adds 'deets', '4G' and 'First World problems'}}</ref> The term is used to minimize complaints about trivial issues by shaming the complainer,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/as-the-first-world-turns-20121122-29qzq.html|title=As the First World turns|author=Glover, Richard|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 November 2012|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref> or as good-humored self-deprecation.<ref name=oed /> [[UNICEF]] NZ conducted a survey of First World problems in [[New Zealand]], finding slow web access to be the most common.<ref name="NZHerald"/>

Revision as of 04:13, 19 January 2018

For other uses, see First World problem (disambiguation).

First World problem is a slang term used to refer to issues in First World nations that are complained about only because of the absence of more pressing concerns. Things that seem like not a big deal at all compared to some of the things that go on in other 2nd or 3rd world countries.[1] The term was added to the Oxford Dictionary Online in November 2012,[2] and to the Macquarie Dictionary Online in December 2012.[3]

The term "First World problem" first appeared in 1979 in G. K. Payne's work Built Environment,[4] but gained recognition as an Internet meme beginning in 2005, particularly on social networking sites like Twitter (where it became a popular hashtag).[5][6] The term is used to minimize complaints about trivial issues by shaming the complainer,[7] or as good-humored self-deprecation.[4] UNICEF NZ conducted a survey of First World problems in New Zealand, finding slow web access to be the most common.[8]

Examples

It can be an example of the red herring fallacy of relative privation.[citation needed] Some examples include:

  • Slow Internet access.[8]
  • Not being able to find items in a shop[8]
  • Bad-tasting fruit[8]
  • Getting a bad haircut[8]
  • Television remote not working[8]
  • Poor mobile-phone coverage[8]
  • Phone battery dying (low-battery anxiety)[9]
  • Misplacing wireless AirPods. Apple Inc. attempted to alleviate this problem, which is its most frequent complaint about AirPods, by introducing a "Find My AirPods" application in 2017.[10]
  • Boring license plates[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hardy, Quentin (18 May 2012). "Eduardo Saverin's Billionaire Blues". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  2. ^ "First World problem definition". Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Word of the Year 2014". Macquarie Dictionary Online. Macquarie Dictionary.
  4. ^ a b "First World (Special uses)". Oxford English Dictionary Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  5. ^ López, Tracy (11 July 2012). "How acknowledging your "First World problems" can make you happier". Voxxi. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Steinmetz, Katy (20 November 2012). "Oxford Dictionaries adds 'deets', '4G' and 'First World problems'". Time. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  7. ^ Glover, Richard (24 November 2012). "As the First World turns". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Paul (8 October 2012). "Kiwis complain about 'First World problems'". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Sum, Eliza (28 July 2016). ""Battery anxiety" making smartphone users miss meetings, dates and jeopardize relationships". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  10. ^ Stampher, Jillian (January 24, 2017). "Solving First World Problems: Apple To Release 'Find My AirPods' Feature With Latest iOS Update". GeekWire.
  11. ^ Let’s be thankful for first-world problems, kearneyhub.com, 22 November, 2017
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