goblin mode en · NOUN
Etymology
From modern fantasy depictions of goblins as filthy, brutish, cave-dwelling creatures, a departure from older folkloric traditions introduced by J. R. R. Tolkien in The Hobbit (1937). The term is first attested on Twitter in 2009, but gained popularity in 2022. Compare god mode, boymode.
Meanings
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(neologism, slang, uncountable) The state of being unapologetically lethargic, slovenly, and prone to odd and self-indulgent behaviour.
Although many people tweeting about goblin mode have characterized it as an almost spiritual-level embrace of our most debased tendencies, Marnell says there is “healthy goblin mode and destructive goblin mode”. For her, it embodies a certain air of harmless mischief.
2022 March 14, Kari Paul, “Slobbing out and giving up: why are so many people going ‘goblin mode’ ?”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 07 Mar 2023:Mac and cheese, vodka soda, and 90 Day Fiancé. Truly my PEAK of goblin mode
2019 September 20, dr. ovi (@jirtenergy), Twitter:With employees prepping to flock back to the office amid easing COVID restrictions, many are faced with the same dilemma — how to switch off “goblin mode” now that they’re around other people.
2022 March 14, Ben Cost, “Workers face ditching slobbish ‘goblin mode’ as they return to office”, in New York Post, archived from the original on 27 Aug 2022:While some see it as a harmless way to describe a messy phase, some have suggested the phrase is offensive. One argument is that some people who live with mental health issues or have disabilities are living in "goblin mode" not by choice but rather due to circumstance.
2022 April 2, Kalhan Rosenblatt, “'Goblin mode' is becoming part of people's everyday vocabulary. Language and meme experts share why.”, in NBC News, archived from the original on 31 Mar 2023:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| goblinmode | alternative | lexicographic |
Translations (12)
es modo goblin (state) · es modo duende (state) · fr mode gobelin (state) · pt modo duende (state) · it modalità goblin (state) · cs gobliní mód (state) · ru способ гоблина (state) · tr gulyabani gibi (state) · cmn 擺爛模式 /摆烂模式 (state) · nl goblin-modus (state) · pt modo goblin (state) · fi peikkomoodi (state)