Creepy, zany and demonstrably fake content is often called “slop.” The word’s proliferation online, in part thanks to the widespread availability of generative artificial intelligence, landed it Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year. There’s also a spate of influencers who’ve been called performative for posting surface-level “ kindness content.” The word is versatile, since it extends to stunts in national politics, grandstanding on social media and even the nature of the UN General Assembly. The definition of this popular internet phrase is “to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions.” It was a serious contender for Merriam-Webster’s word of the year, since it’s used to “describe the aspiration for many people to take a break from their digital addiction,” Barlow said.
Author: Anna Furman, The Associated Press
Published at: 2025-12-15 23:08:38
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