Social Media Slang
Trends Through The Ages
Old Tech Alert!
What The Meme?
Tik Tok Trends
Ancient Accounts
200
The abbreviation L.O.L
What is “laugh out loud”?
200
Posting a live video on social media, a technique adopted by Catholic churches throughout the pandemic to broadcast Mass
What is livestreaming?
200
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?
200
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?
200
This refers to a video that shows the viewpoint of someone else.
What is POV?
200
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?
400
A number surrounded by letters used to communicate that a person needs to log off.
What is g2g?
400
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?
400
Before email, a device that transferred documents from one office to another via a phone line.
What is a fax machine?
400
The experience of clicking on a link only to be surprised with Rick Astley’s song “Never Gonna Give You Up
What is “rickrolled”?
400
The beverage of choice of a skateboarding man listening to Fleetwood Mac’s song, “Dreams.”
What is cran-raspberry juice?
400
Before TikTok, the app that allowed you only to post six-second videos
What is Vine?
600
A term used to express concern for missing something fun or exciting.
What is FOMO (or “fear of missing out”)
600
A style of coffee that became popular in 2020 for its foamy consistency.
What is Dalgona coffee?
600
Before Google or Wikipedia, a collection of books that provided the best source of facts and information
What are encyclopedias?
600
This image of a man in a blue sweater with a coffee cup sitting at a table (usually outside) often starts with different “hot take” statements but always ends with these three words.
What is “change my mind”?
600
Saying this word in a TikTok video may cue Spanish guitar music and Dom Toretto.
What is “family”?
600
This was Google’s attempt at social media that was shut down in 2019.
What is Google+ (Google Plus)?
800
Two letters that abbreviate a personal communication exchange
What is DM?
800
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!”?
800
efore 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)?
800
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?
800
The person who steps in to help Ryan Reynolds with the higher notes of the Grace Kelly Challenge.
Who is Will Ferrell?
800
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?
1000
A shortened term to tell someone that they look adorable
What is “Adorbs”?
1000
Strengthening the core muscles by lying face-down, flat as a board, on random objects
What is planking?
1000
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?
1000
A British slogan about persistence that originated in 1939 and has many meme adaptations, but always began with the same two words. It often contains this image:
What is “Keep Calm and Carry On” (or “Keep Calm”)?
1000
The verb in a three-word sung phrase borrowed from a gameshow appearance that calls upon the Holy Spirit.
What is “activate”?
1000
An early blogging site that still exists and is used to share journal entries with friends.
What is LiveJournal?