I am an internet person. I spend a lot of time online. I know some of the slang by osmosis (and some of the memes, though I usually seem to be a few years behind). There are several memes and slang that I really like. I want to talk about them just because I can.
I was reading an Ask A Manager post about the diet police in the office (which, ugh, just no), and someone used my one of my favorite internet memes. Someone was explaining how someone in their office would get really into abasing herself for being fat and agonizing over eating a cooke or whatever (which is sadly common for women in a society that is horrid to fat women), and someone else commeted, “You don’t have to participate, Cathy.”
This is one of my favorite internet memes. The snarky side comment with a random name attached to it at the end. I don’t know why, but this absolutely sends me. Especially as the name is usually such a bland and boring one. The blander, the better. I think because it makes it universal.
Another one is saying “I love that for you” after someone makes any kind of comment. I like this one because it covers a wide array of situations. It’s very much like the Southern ‘bless your heart’ in that it can be both sincere and scathing. If someone is celebrating something like a new job or pregnant, then it’s said in sincerity. “Oh, what a great opportunity/news, and I love that for you!” This is used for friends, mostly.
I will admit, I like the other version better because it suits my personality. It’s when someone shows their entire ass, and you say it to express your disapproval. So, let’s say someone goes off on, say queer people and rant about how they (the queers) are all going to hell. And they didn’t know I was queer as they were going on and on about it. At the end, if I wanted to use this phrase, it would be in the context of, “It looks like you’re finally showing your true self. And I love that for you.” In a tone that says I want nothing more to do with them.
Another is when someone makes a decision that is clearly a self-destructive one. Then, you can say, “Well, you flame-bombed that bridge to hell. And I love that for you.” It’s hard to describe in words, exactly, but it’s a way of saying, “That was a shitty decision, but you do you.”
Which, by the way, is another of my favorite internet slangs. “You do you.” I’m not sure why, but it just conveys such a paradox of judgment and nonjudgment. On the one hand, you’re telling someone to do whatever you want. But the tone for this one is, “I wouldn’t advise it, but I won’t try to stop you from doing it, either.” It’s so pass-ag!
One that I like/don’t like is, “I’m not _____ at you” where the blank is filling with an activity such as, oh I don’t know, eating vegetables as a vegetarian at a function where it’s mostly meat eaters. It’s usually someone in the minority who is being hassled for doing something that makes the majority uncomfortable. This is from Captain Awkward, and it’s useful when someone is complaining in a relationship about something their partner is doing that is not directed at the complainer.
Here’s why I don’t like it as much now, though. Because as with every other saying/slang/meme, it has been diluted to the point of meaningless. Sometimes, someone is doing something at you. And it can be harmful to tell someone they aren’t. In the above scenario, it’s often the case that meat eaters will do things at vegetarians, like eat more meat or describe in detail why they love eat. So they might nto be eating the meat at the vegetarian, exactly, but they are surrounding that meat-eating with very negative attitudes towards vegetarian.
The other reason why it annoys me is that sometimes, it’s true, but the behavior is still not acceptable. Taking my hypothetical situation above, let’s say there’s a work lunch that is catered. Everyone gets what they want except the vegetarian. They are trying to get by on the Kind bars they have in their purse (yes, I carry a Kind bar with me when I go out any time other than when I’m running simple errands, why do you ask?) and not make a fuss. They make a comment about not being able to eat the food provided, and someone says snarkily, “Calm down other people aren’t eating their (meat) sandwiches at you.”
Which, yes, it’s true, but that doesn’t mean the situation is acceptable (though, sadly, it’s not unusual). Also in the scenario that I made up, the person the vegetarian should be upset with is whoever coordinated the lunch, but it’d be understandable if they were a bit miffed with their coworkers, too. Not that the veggie should say anything to their coworkers, but the feeling is understandable. I think that’s the problem sometimes with advice columns–people can’t/don’t want to acknowledge the messiness of human emotions.
One that I would not mind if it disappeared is ‘bro’. And it’s variant, ‘brah’. I’m not hating on it, but it’s overstayed it’s welcome. It’s mostly guys saying it to each other, but there are definitely women who use it as well. I’m not in bro culture, but I can deal with it being a way to bond. I don’t feel included in it, but that’s my life in general. I’m always on the fringes, and I am nonplused when I’m actually included in something.
One meme that I like just because it’s funny as hell: “Y U like this?” In general, “Y U….” anything will get a chuckle out of me. But “Y U like this?” is extra-funny to me. It can be said in a tone of exasperation, hurt, or anger. I have no insight into this one. It’s just funny as hell to me.
Oh, that’s another that I like. ‘AF’ to mean ‘as fuck’. I ilke acronyms in general. CTFO, GTFO, in general, anything with ‘f’ in the acronym is down with me.
I’m done.