zeitgeist_neologisms_no_headers

Question 1

cosplayer

Answer 1

A person who dresses up as a character from pop culture, often at conventions or on social media.

Question 2

cancel culture

Answer 2

A social phenomenon where individuals or groups are ostracized for behavior or statements deemed unacceptable.

Question 3

influencer

Answer 3

Someone who gains popularity online and affects purchasing decisions or opinions through social media.

Question 4

doomscrolling

Answer 4

Excessively scrolling through bad news on a screen, often leading to anxiety or depression.

Question 5

woke

Answer 5

Originally meaning socially aware, now often used pejoratively to describe performative progressivism.

Question 6

metaverse

Answer 6

A collective virtual space where users interact with each other and digital environments in real time.

Question 7

quiet quitting

Answer 7

Doing only the minimum required at work, rejecting hustle culture or unpaid labor.

Question 8

ghosting

Answer 8

Suddenly cutting off communication without explanation, often in dating or online contexts.

Question 9

clapback

Answer 9

A sharp or witty retort, often posted on social media in response to criticism.

Question 10

stan

Answer 10

An extremely enthusiastic fan of a celebrity, often used as both a noun and verb.

Question 11

finsta

Answer 11

A private Instagram account used for sharing more candid content, often with a small circle.

Question 12

fitspo

Answer 12

Fitness inspiration content shared on social media, sometimes criticized for promoting unrealistic ideals.

Question 13

genderfluid

Answer 13

A gender identity that shifts over time or depending on the situation.

Question 14

latinx

Answer 14

A gender-neutral term used in place of Latino/Latina, though controversial in some communities.

Question 15

NFT

Answer 15

Non-fungible token; a unique digital item verified using blockchain technology.

Question 16

blockchain

Answer 16

A decentralized digital ledger used for recording transactions across many computers.

Question 17

cryptobro

Answer 17

A stereotype for young men obsessed with cryptocurrency, often viewed as arrogant or naive.

Question 18

flexitarian

Answer 18

Someone whose diet is mostly plant-based but occasionally includes meat or fish.

Question 19

clicktivism

Answer 19

Online activism that involves minimal effort, like sharing posts or signing petitions.

Question 20

deepfake

Answer 20

A synthetic media where someone’s likeness is convincingly faked using AI.

Question 21

algospeak

Answer 21

Coded language used to avoid content moderation algorithms on social media.

Question 22

binge-watch

Answer 22

To watch multiple episodes of a TV show in one sitting.

Question 23

grind culture

Answer 23

The glorification of overwork and productivity at the expense of well-being.

Question 24

gig economy

Answer 24

A labor market based on short-term freelance or contract jobs rather than permanent ones.

Question 25

late capitalism

Answer 25

A term used to critique the perceived absurdities and inequalities of current capitalism.

Question 26

climate anxiety

Answer 26

Emotional distress related to concern over climate change and ecological collapse.

Question 27

doomposting

Answer 27

Pessimistic or apocalyptic content shared online, often to vent or provoke.

Question 28

simp

Answer 28

A person (usually male) seen as overly submissive or attentive to someone they’re attracted to.

Question 29

main character energy

Answer 29

The feeling or attitude of being the central focus of life or a narrative.

Question 30

femtech

Answer 30

Technology designed to support women’s health, such as period or fertility tracking apps.

Question 31

microdosing

Answer 31

Taking very small amounts of psychedelics to enhance mental well-being or creativity.

Question 32

sharenting

Answer 32

Parents sharing excessive amounts of content about their children online.

Question 33

nepo baby

Answer 33

A celebrity child perceived to have benefited unfairly from familial connections.

Question 34

digital nomad

Answer 34

A person who works remotely while traveling and living in various locations.

Question 35

virtue signaling

Answer 35

Expressing moral views primarily to gain approval rather than out of genuine concern.

Question 36

sponcon

Answer 36

Sponsored content, especially posts by influencers paid to promote products.

Question 37

rage farming

Answer 37

Provoking outrage online to boost engagement and visibility.

Question 38

girlboss

Answer 38

A term once used to empower women in business, now often satirized as shallow empowerment.

Question 39

goblin mode

Answer 39

A state of embracing laziness, messiness, and lack of self-awareness in defiance of social norms.

Question 40

touch grass

Answer 40

A phrase telling someone to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with the real world.

Question 41

deinfluencing

Answer 41

A trend where people warn against unnecessary purchases, countering consumer hype.

Question 42

filter bubble

Answer 42

A digital environment shaped by algorithms where one only encounters views they agree with.

Question 43

parasocial relationship

Answer 43

A one-sided emotional connection a fan forms with a media figure.

Question 44

blackfishing

Answer 44

The act of non-Black people altering appearance to look Black or racially ambiguous.

Question 45

slacktivism

Answer 45

Low-effort actions taken online in support of a cause, offering little real-world impact.

Question 46

reality shifting

Answer 46

A belief or practice where individuals mentally shift to alternate realities or fictional worlds.

Question 47

content creator

Answer 47

Someone who produces and shares digital media, often independently.

Question 48

delulu

Answer 48

Slang for being 'delusional' about a celebrity or fantasy relationship.

Question 49

body neutrality

Answer 49

A movement encouraging people to focus less on appearance and more on body function.

Question 50

mental load

Answer 50

The invisible labor involved in managing a household or relationships, often borne by women.

Question 51

cancelled

Answer 51

A term used when someone is publicly shunned for perceived wrongdoing.