Technology & Modern Life

Internet slang, digital culture, and modern expressions

简介

数字时代不仅改变了我们的交流方式，还改变了我们使用的词汇本身。从“going viral（火遍全网）”到“ghosting（突然消失不理人）”，科技催生了一整套新词汇，它们像互联网本身一样轻松跨越国界。

跟在口头文化中慢慢发展的传统俚语不同，网络俚语可以在几天内传遍全球。一个词可能一夜之间从默默无闻变成人尽皆知，然后又以同样的速度消失。这一章收录的是那些留下来的词——已经成为日常用语一部分的数字俚语。

现代俚语的美妙之处在于它的“民主性”：它从网络社区、表情包和社交媒体中诞生，然后进入主流使用。不管你是在“scrolling（刷手机）”、“streaming（追剧）”还是“going offline（下线）”，这就是21世纪生活的词汇。

主题

本章全部英语俚语（63）

• Go viral To spread rapidly and widely on the internet.
• Ghost (someone) To suddenly cut off all communication with someone.
• Troll Someone who posts inflammatory content online to provoke others.
• Doomscroll Compulsively scrolling through negative news on social media.
• Catfish Someone who creates a fake online identity to deceive others.
• FOMO Fear Of Missing Out—anxiety about missing experiences.
• Clickbait Sensationalized content designed to attract clicks.
• Flex To show off, especially on social media.
• Binge-watch To watch multiple episodes of a TV show in one sitting.
• Slide into DMs To send a private message, usually to flirt or make contact.
• Cancel (someone) To publicly boycott someone for problematic behavior.
• Lowkey Somewhat; secretly; not intensely.
• No cap / Cap No lie / lying. 'No cap' = for real; 'cap' = a lie.
• Based Authentic; not caring what others think; admirably bold.
• Cringe Embarrassing or awkward; causing secondhand embarrassment.
• Vibe check An assessment of someone's mood or energy.
• Hit different To have a stronger or more meaningful impact.
• Living rent free Something that constantly occupies your thoughts.
• Main character (energy) Acting like the protagonist of your own story.
• Periodt Period. End of discussion. (emphatic)
• Tea / Spill the tea Gossip; the truth. 'Spill the tea' = share the gossip.
• Throw shade To subtly insult or disrespect someone.
• Karen A stereotype of an entitled, demanding woman.
• Left on read When someone reads your message but doesn't reply.
• Streaming Broadcasting live video content online.
• IRL In Real Life—offline, in person.
• AFK Away From Keyboard—temporarily unavailable.
• WFH Working From Home.
• DM Direct Message—a private message on social media.
• Throwback Something from the past; a nostalgic reference.
• TBH To Be Honest.
• Highkey Openly; intensely; very much.
• Clout Influence, fame, or social media following.
• Finsta A fake/secondary Instagram account for close friends.
• The algorithm The recommendation system that controls what you see online.
• Content Material created for social media; things to post.
• Influencer Someone with a large online following who can influence opinions.
• Unfollow To stop following someone on social media.
• Lurk To browse social media without posting or interacting.
• Spam Unwanted mass messages; to send excessive messages.
• Meme A humorous image, video, or concept that spreads online.
• Touch grass Go outside; get off the internet.
• offline disconnected from internet / unavailable
• stream watch/listen to content online in real-time
• doom scroll compulsively read negative news online
• unplug disconnect from technology
• screen time time spent looking at screens
• ghost suddenly stop responding to someone
• swipe right express interest in someone on dating apps
• bot automated account or program
• deepfake AI-generated fake video or audio
• crypto bro aggressive cryptocurrency enthusiast
• ping send a quick message
• bandwidth capacity to handle more work
• glitch minor malfunction or error
• bug software error or defect
• beta test version / weak person (slang)
• legacy outdated but still in use
• hack clever solution / to break into systems
• the cloud remote internet-based storage
• sync synchronize data across devices
• dox publish someone's private information
• paywall payment barrier to access content