Social Media Slang
The abbreviation L.O.L.
What is “laugh out loud”?
Posting a live video on social media, a technique adopted by Catholic churches throughout the pandemic to broadcast Mass.
What is livestreaming?
Before the smartphone, a sleek, foldable tech that fits easily in your back pocket and got its name from what you would need to do to access the buttons or keyboard.
What is a flip phone?
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?
This refers to a video that shows the viewpoint of someone else.
What is POV?
A number surrounded by letters used to communicate that a person needs to log off.
What is g2g?
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?
Before email, a device that transferred documents from one office to another via a phone line.
What is a fax machine?
The experience of clicking on a link only to be surprised with Rick Astley’s song “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
What is “rickrolled”?
The beverage of choice of a skateboarding man listening to Fleetwood Mac’s song, “Dreams.”
What is cran-raspberry juice?
A term used to express concern for missing something fun or exciting.
What is FOMO (or “fear of missing out”)?
A style of coffee that became popular in 2020 for its foamy consistency
What is Dalgona coffee?
Before Google or Wikipedia, a collection of books that provided the best source of facts and information
What are encyclopedias?
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”?
Saying this word in a TikTok video may cue Spanish guitar music and Dom Toretto.
Saying this word in a TikTok video may cue Spanish guitar music and Dom Toretto.
Two letters that abbreviate a personal communication exchange.
What is DM?
If you lacked motivation in 2015, you risked a friend sending you a GIF of Shia LaBeouf emblazoned with this phrase.
What is “DO IT!”?
Before cell phones, wearable devices that received incoming phone numbers alerting the receiver to call the sender, often accomplished by payphone. The sender could include other numbers to communicate a sort of “coded” message
What are beepers (or pagers)?
Years ago, this brand of phone was found in many memes, mainly focusing on its long battery life and how it seems to be indestructible.
What is Nokia?
The person who steps in to help Ryan Reynolds with the higher notes of the Grace Kelly Challenge.
Who is Will Ferrell?
A shortened term to tell someone that they look adorable.
What is “adorbs”?
Strengthening the core muscles by lying face-down, flat as a board, on random objects.
What is planking?
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?
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”)?
The verb in a three-word sung phrase borrowed from a gameshow appearance that calls upon the Holy Spirit.
What is “activate”?