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, it is believed to have been brought into the mainstream in 2015 when UK based screwball comedian Sam Jelbert noticed his friend Toby "going Goblin Mode" in a hotel room in New York City.

Goblin illustration by John D. Batten from "English Fairy Tales" (19th century)

The term went viral again in 2022 due to a tweet by Twitter shitposter @JUNlPER featuring a doctored 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]

Look up goblin mode in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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

See also

References
  1. "Check Yourself, Have You Fallen Prey To "Goblin Mode"?". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  2. "'Goblin mode': How the fake news spread amid Julia Fox, Kanye break-up". The Focus. 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  3. Dodgson, Lindsay. "The person behind a fake Julia Fox headline about 'goblin mode' says they did her a favor by distracting from her breakup with Ye". Insider. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  4. "Slobbing out and giving up: why are so many people going 'goblin mode'?". the Guardian. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  5. "'Goblin mode' is becoming part of people's everyday vocabulary. Language and meme experts share why". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  6. Litterst, Rob (2022-03-17). "What the heck is 'goblin mode'?". The Hustle. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  7. Rosenberg, Scott (2022-04-12). "Elon Musk's "goblin mode" style of chaos is here to stay". Axios. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  8. Schuessler, Jennifer (2022-12-04). "The Word of the Year Goes Goblin Mode". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  9. "What is 'goblin mode,' anyway? It's Oxford's 2022 Word of the Year". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  10. "Are you in 'goblin mode'? How to ditch bad pandemic habits — and hold on to good ones". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  11. George, Sam. "Goblin mode: a gothic expert explains the trend's mythical origins, and why we should all go 'vampire mode' instead". The Conversation. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
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