Understanding Goblin Mode
Goblin mode reflects a cultural shift towards embracing a less polished lifestyle and serves as a linguistic mirror to societal attitudes of a particular year.
Here, we unpack its origins and why it resonated with so many people.
Origin and Definition
Goblin mode first surfaced on the internet, where it gathered momentum until Oxford Languages recognized it as the 2022 Word of the Year, based on a public vote.
It’s a slang term used to describe behavior that is indulgent, lazy, or messy, in a manner that deliberately rejects social norms or expectations.
The term was popularized largely through social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
Cultural Relevance and Usage
Goblin mode’s viral spread and eventual selection highlight the public’s preoccupations and the zeitgeist of 2022, underscoring a widespread mood that resonated deeply enough to influence the corpus of language data that lexicographers at Oxford University Press observed.
The term overtook other culturally significant concepts, outpacing finalists like ‘meta’ and ‘metaverse’—terms tied to the growing influence of companies like Facebook.
This demonstrates a shift away from polished online personas towards embracing one’s “inner goblin,” reflecting a turn from the aspirational to the more raw and real aspects of humanity on the internet.
Societal Impact and Reflection
The emergence of “goblin mode” reflects significant shifts in societal values and personal behavior, particularly in response to extended periods of societal stressors such as a pandemic.
Changing Social Norms and Expectations
Traditionally, society has upheld certain standards of personal presentation and productivity, often labeling behaviors that diverge from these as lazy or slovenly.
However, the term “goblin mode” captures a collective inclination towards rejecting these social norms and expectations.
This rejection is not without reason; periods of instability, like the COVID-19 pandemic, spurred on new ways of coping with stress and anxiety.
Many have found solace in embracing more relaxed or ‘unpresentable’ forms of self-indulgence, even if they are deemed non-respectable by mainstream standards.
Engaging in “goblin mode” activities, such as taking naps or indulging in simple joys, could be understood as a response to the permacrisis many face.
During times when the climate emergency or political unrest, such as the situation between Russia and Ukraine, dominate the headlines, self-care practices that resist the pressure to constantly maintain an aesthetic or productive façade can offer a form of psychological reprieve.
Psychological and Behavioral Implications
Adopting “goblin mode” may have deeper psychological underpinnings.
It could represent a rejection of unsustainable lifestyles and a challenge to aesthetic standards that many view as a form of gaslighting or psychological manipulation.
When relentless societal expectations meet personal insecurity and self-doubt, the allure of adopting a “goblin mode” stance becomes compelling—as it symbolizes both a coping mechanism and a form of silent protest.
This behavior was seen as resonant enough with the public ethos that “goblin mode” was voted into recognition by Oxford Dictionaries as a defining term.
As people navigate through misinformation, “fake news,” and the expectations to present polished self-images on virtual platforms, “goblin mode” may serve as a counterbalance that allows for authenticity—even if it comes across as self-indulgent or heedless of traditional respectability.