Going into GOBLIN MODE: Phrase used for being ‘unapologetically slovenly’ named Oxford word of 2022

On Dec 5, 2022

Going into GOBLIN MODE: Phrase used for being ‘unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, and greedy’ is named Oxford word of the year 2022

Oxford Languages held an online vote in order to choose the word of 2022
The public favoured the expression ‘goblin mode’ as their word of the year
It means to be ‘unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy’
Many people gravitated to the word this year after coming out of lockdowns

Published: 10:38, 5 December 2022 | Updated: 16:59, 5 December 2022

It’s a phrase that may only be familiar for avid social media users – but ‘goblin mode’ has today been voted word of the year.

The phrase, defined as ‘a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations,’ topped a poll by Oxford Languages.

It was followed by ‘metaverse’ – a hypothetical virtual reality environment in which users interact with others’ avatars – a word that exploded in usage this year.

And in third place was the popular Twitter hashtag ‘IStandWith’.

In April 2022, Elon Musk posted an image on social media attributing his acquisition of Twitter to being in ‘goblin mode’.

In February actress Julia Fox denied using the expression to describe her break-up with singer Kanye West after a fake Twitter story received 116,000 likes with the invented quote: ‘He didn’t like when I went goblin mode.’

Oxford University lexicographers have shortlisted ‘goblin mode’ to be 2022’s term-of-the-year. In April 2022, Elon Musk posted an image macro implicitly attributing his proposed acquisition of Twitter to him being in ‘goblin mode’

In February, actress Julia Fox denied using the expression to describe her breakup with Kanye West after a fake Twitter story racked up 116,000 likes with the invented quote: ‘He didn’t like when I went goblin mode’

First seen on Twitter in 2009, ‘goblin mode’ gained popularity in 2022 as people emerged uncertainly from pandemic lockdowns.

Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages, said: ‘We were hoping the public would enjoy being brought into the process, but this level of engagement with the campaign caught us totally by surprise.

‘The strength of the response highlights how important our vocabulary is to understanding who we are and processing what’s happening to the world around us.

‘Given the year we’ve just experienced, “goblin mode” resonates with all of us who are feeling a little overwhelmed at this point.

A graph shows the huge spike in the term ‘Goblin Mode’ earlier this year, with many using it on social media to show off their unedited selves

‘Metaverse’, a previously obscure word to describe virtual reality, has exploded in usage since late last year

WORD OF 2022: WHAT IS ‘GOBLIN MODE?

‘Goblin mode’ is a type of behaviour which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.’

Although first seen on Twitter in 2009, goblin mode went viral on social media in February 2022.

It quickly made its way into newspapers and magazines after being tweeted in a mocked-up headline.

The term then rose in popularity over the months following as Covid lockdown restrictions eased in many countries and people ventured out of their homes more regularly.

Seemingly, it captured the prevailing mood of individuals who rejected the idea of returning to ‘normal life’ or rebelled against the increasingly unattainable aesthetic standards and unsustainable lifestyles exhibited on social media.

‘It’s a relief to acknowledge that we’re not always the idealised, curated selves that we’re encouraged to present on our Instagram and TikTok feeds.

‘This has been demonstrated by the dramatic rise of platforms like BeReal where users share images of their unedited selves, often capturing self-indulgent moments in goblin mode.

‘People are embracing their inner goblin, and voters choosing “goblin mode” as the word of the year tells us the concept is likely here to stay.’

The word of the year is intended to reflect ‘the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the past twelve months’.

For the first time this year’s winning phrase was chosen by a public online vote, from among three finalists selected by Oxford Languages lexicographers: goblin mode, metaverse and the hashtag IStandWith.

Despite being relatively unknown offline, goblin mode was the overwhelming favorite, winning 93 per cent of the more than 340,000 votes cast.

The choice is more evidence of a world unsettled after years of pandemic turmoil, and by the huge changes in behaviour and politics brought by social media.

Last week Merriam-Webster announced that its word of the year is ‘gaslighting’ – psychological manipulation intended to make a person question the validity of their own thoughts.

In 2021 the Oxford word of the year was ‘vax’ and Merriam-Webster´s was ‘vaccine.’