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Goblin mode

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Goblin illustration by John D. Batten from "English Fairy Tales" (19th century)

Goblin mode is a neologism for the rejection of societal expectations and the act of living in an unkempt, 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 2022 due to a tweet by a Twitter user featuring a doctored news headline of an interview with actress Julia Fox, purporting her to have used the phrase.[2][3] 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.[4][5]

The term quickly became viral on social media platforms such as TikTok, often as a response to other trends such as cottagecore or self-improvement.[4][6] 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".[7] 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.[8][9]

Look up goblin mode in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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 since this is described as a way of life that gives people permission to reject societal norms and embrace their basic instincts.[4][10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Check Yourself, Have You Fallen Prey To "Goblin Mode"?". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  2. ^ "'Goblin mode': How the fake news spread amid Julia Fox, Kanye break-up". The Focus. 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  3. ^ Dodgson, Lindsay. "The person behind a fake Julia Fox headline about 'goblin mode' says they did her a favor by distracting from her breakup with Ye". Insider. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  4. ^ a b c "Slobbing out and giving up: why are so many people going 'goblin mode'?". the Guardian. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  5. ^ "'Goblin mode' is becoming part of people's everyday vocabulary. Language and meme experts share why". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  6. ^ Litterst, Rob (2022-03-17). "What the heck is 'goblin mode'?". The Hustle. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  7. ^ Rosenberg, Scott (2022-04-12). "Elon Musk's "goblin mode" style of chaos is here to stay". Axios. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  8. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (2022-12-04). "The Word of the Year Goes Goblin Mode". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  9. ^ "What is 'goblin mode,' anyway? It's Oxford's 2022 Word of the Year". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  10. ^ "Are you in 'goblin mode'? How to ditch bad pandemic habits — and hold on to good ones". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  11. ^ George, Sam. "Goblin mode: a gothic expert explains the trend's mythical origins, and why we should all go 'vampire mode' instead". The Conversation. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
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