Goblin mode

Goblin mode is a neologism for the rejection of societal expectations in a 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 early 2022.

The 2022 popularity derived from a tweet by Twitter shitposter Junlper featuring a doctored Fox 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]

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

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External links

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