20 Words That the Internet Has Forever Ruined

zachnading Published 11/03/2022 in wtf

New words, languages, dialects, and slang are being created everyday. But thanks to the internet, some words are being vastly overused.

We hopped on AskReddit, and compiled a master list of totally normal words that have been completely ruined by the internet. Enjoy!

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1. BBC too. -RunDNA
2. Based. The way it's used doesn't even make sense out of the context of the internet. -mushgar
3. Cringe. Saying something was "cringey" has been around forever, but somehow this new usage is sandpaper to my ears. -Thedaspokesman
4. "Epic." Overuse of the word "epic" diminishes the gravity of the word. Please stop. -okunlolao
5. Cancelled. -rainyboos
6. With string instruments (and other instruments I'm sure but I just know strings), the placement and ordering of what fingers you use to play notes is referred to as "fingering." -zzaannsebar
7. Facial. -Informal_Laugh_4221
8. The term "hack". For example, "These life hacks will BLOW your mind!!!" No they won't, five minute crafts. -Marie_Robbins
9. Not a word but a name, Karen. I am not a westerner but I feel bad for anyone whose name is Karen and has to take all the jokes. -Environmental_Comb45
10. Literally. -chokeemeharder
11. Narcissism. Like every idiot throwing it out there lately without understanding the first thing about psychology. Keep the 3 am drunk bar psychology where it belongs. -kharjou
12. Porn. Earthporn, foodporn, spaceporn. -theinnocenthostage
13. Suspicious. "Pretty sus." -Scaniarix
14. Daddy has too much sexual connotation now. -Ar1st0cr4t1c
15. The act of hammering in wooden stakes is often called “pegging." -rawker86
16. Gaslight. This used to mean systematic psychological manipulation to the point when the victim questions reality, not simply lying. -ArghNooo
17. Triggered. This was a term describing when the victim of severe psychological damage was exposed to stimulus causing them to not just remember, but actually re-experience the moment the trauma occurred. Now it's used to describe being upset with something. -ArghNooo
18. Thick. -VerminTrappers
19. Vibe. -cebooly
20. Woke. -inflammable

1. BBC too. -RunDNA
2. Based. The way it's used doesn't even make sense out of the context of the internet. -mushgar
3. Cringe. Saying something was "cringey" has been around forever, but somehow this new usage is sandpaper to my ears. -Thedaspokesman
4. "Epic." Overuse of the word "epic" diminishes the gravity of the word. Please stop. -okunlolao
5. Cancelled. -rainyboos
6. With string instruments (and other instruments I'm sure but I just know strings), the placement and ordering of what fingers you use to play notes is referred to as "fingering." -zzaannsebar
7. Facial. -Informal_Laugh_4221
8. The term "hack". For example, "These life hacks will BLOW your mind!!!" No they won't, five minute crafts. -Marie_Robbins
9. Not a word but a name, Karen. I am not a westerner but I feel bad for anyone whose name is Karen and has to take all the jokes. -Environmental_Comb45
10. Literally. -chokeemeharder
11. Narcissism. Like every idiot throwing it out there lately without understanding the first thing about psychology. Keep the 3 am drunk bar psychology where it belongs. -kharjou
12. Porn. Earthporn, foodporn, spaceporn. -theinnocenthostage
13. Suspicious. "Pretty sus." -Scaniarix
14. Daddy has too much sexual connotation now. -Ar1st0cr4t1c
15. The act of hammering in wooden stakes is often called “pegging." -rawker86
16. Gaslight. This used to mean systematic psychological manipulation to the point when the victim questions reality, not simply lying. -ArghNooo
17. Triggered. This was a term describing when the victim of severe psychological damage was exposed to stimulus causing them to not just remember, but actually re-experience the moment the trauma occurred. Now it's used to describe being upset with something. -ArghNooo
18. Thick. -VerminTrappers
19. Vibe. -cebooly
20. Woke. -inflammable