”Goblin mode” årets nyord enligt brittisk ordbok

Goblin mode is a neologism for rejecting societal expectations and living in an unkempt, hedonistic manner without regard to self-image. Although usages of the term date back to 2009 with varying definitions, the term went viral in 2022 due a Tweet by Twitter satirist @JUNlPER, featuring a doctored headline of an interview with Julia Fox, where she alleges that then-boyfriend Kanye West's dislike of her going "goblin mode" was the cause of their breakup. This doctored image prompted a huge spike in searches for "goblin mode", leading Fox to deny having used the term. The term has also been linked to a viral Reddit post in which a user admits to acting "like a goblin" when alone at home.The term quickly became viral on platforms such as TikTok, often as a response to other trends on the platform such as cottagecore or self-improvement. In April 2022, Elon Musk posted an image macro implicitly attributing his proposed acquisition of Twitter to him being in "goblin mode". 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". In December 2022, online respondents selected the term from Oxford Languages' shortlist as the Word of the Year. The popularity of "goblin mode" may be linked to a rejection of the carefully curated lifestyles often presented by users of social media platforms. 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 ditch societal norms and embrace their basic instincts and in social media, letting their inner goblin out has been a freeing experience.