Social Media Slang
Through the Ages
Old Tech Alert!
What the Meme?
TikTok Trends
Ancient Accounts
100
The abbreviation L.O.L.
What is “laugh out loud”?
100
Posting a live video on social media, a technique adapted by Catholic churches throughout the pandemic to broadcast Mass.
What is livestreaming?
100
Before the smartphone, a sleek, foldable tech that fit easily in your back pocket and got its name from what you would need to do in order to access the buttons or keyboard.
What is a flip phone?
100
This household animal is the focal point of a mashup meme that depicts two Real Housewives angrily yelling at this pet sitting in a chair in front of a plate of greens.
What is a cat?
100
This refers to a video that shows the viewpoint of someone else.
What is POV?
100
The social media site that always gave you Tom as your first friend but turned into a music website after losing its popularity.
What is Myspace?
200
A number surrounded by letters used to communicate that a person needs to log off.
What is g2g?
200
Stainless steel containers, ranging from 18 to 128 ounces, that keep your water cold, your stickers displayed, and give you a workout.
What are Hydro Flasks?
200
Before email, a device that transferred documents from one office to another via a phone line.
What is a fax machine?
200
The experience of clicking on a link only to be surprised with Rick Astley’s song “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
What is “rickrolled”?
200
The beverage of choice of a skateboarding man listening to Fleetwood Mac’s song, “Dreams.”
What is cran-raspberry juice?
200
Before TikTok, the app that allowed you only to post six-second videos.
What is Vine?
300
A term used to express concern for missing something fun or exciting.
What is FOMO (or “fear of missing out”)?
300
A style of coffee that became popular in 2020 for its foamy consistency.
What is Dalgona coffee?
300
Before Google or Wikipedia, a collection of books that provided the best source of facts and information.
What are encyclopedias?
300
This image of a man in a blue sweater with a coffee cup sitting at a table often starts with different “hot take” statements but always ends with these three words.
What is “change my mind”?
300
Saying this word in a TikTok video may cue Spanish guitar music and Dom Toretto.
What is “family”?
300
This was Google’s attempt at social media that was shut down in 2019.
What is Google+ (Google Plus)?
400
Two letters that abbreviate a personal communication exchange.
What is DM?
400
If you lacked motivation in 2015, you risked a friend sending you a GIF of Shia Lebeouf emblazoned with this phrase.
What is “DO IT!”?
400
Before cell phones, wearable devices that received incoming phone numbers alerting the receiver to call the sender, which was often accomplished by payphone. The sender could include additional numbers to communicate a sort of “coded” message.
What are beepers (or pagers)?
400
Years ago this brand of phone was found in many memes, mostly focusing on its long battery life and how it seems to be indestructible.
What is Nokia?
400
The person who steps in to help Ryan Reynolds with the higher notes of the Grace Kelly Challenge.
Who is Will Ferrell?
400
An instant messaging service created in 1997 by AOL (America Online) that featured a “Buddy List” and had a running man for a mascot.
What is AIM?
500
A shortened term to tell someone that they look adorable.
What is “adorbs”?
500
Strengthening the core muscles by lying face-down, flat as a board, on random objects.
What is planking?
500
Before computer-based slide presentations, teachers would use this dedicated machine to shine a light through a transparent sheet to present information to a class.
What is an overhead projector?
500
A British slogan about persistence that originated in 1939 and has many meme adaptations, but always began with the same two words.
What is “Keep Calm and Carry On” (or “Keep Calm”)?
500
The verb in a three-word sung phrase borrowed from a gameshow appearance that calls upon the Holy Spirit.
What is “activate”?
500
An early blogging site that still exists and is used to share journal entries with friends.
What is LiveJournal?
