Each year, dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster picks a word that sums up its essence. The company has announced 2025’s word of the year is ‘slop.’
It is defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” This term condenses the never ending barrage of AI-generated content taking over the internet, down to just 4 letters. As frustrating as the English language is, it really did nail this one.
The term slop originated in the 1700s and referred to “soft mud.” By the 1800s it started to mean food waste like ‘pig slop.’ It morphed overtime to refer more to general rubbish, or a product of little or no value.
In 2025, it came to be a mocking term for low quality AI-generated content. Despite constant threats by the powers that be about AI replacing entire workforces, most of the creative content these programs generate is objectively garbage or slop.
2025’s Other Popular Words
Merriam-Webster’s 2025 lookup data also showed some other topical word trending like:
“Gerrymander”
“to divide or arrange (a territorial unit) into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage.” This year, many Republicans and Democrats used redistricting to increase their electoral advantages. Causing this term to spike in searches.
“Touch Grass”
“to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions.”
This term started to gain traction a few years ago as an insult to the chronically online. However, after the death of Charlie Kirk, Utah Governor Spencer Cox gave a speech about the dangers of social media, “log off, turn off, touch grass, go hug a family member, go out and do good in the community.” Now it is being reframed as more aspirational.
“Performative”
“made or done for show (as to bolster one’s own image or make a positive impression on others).” This term has been around for a few years as a mocking reference to things like performative politics, activism, wokeness, and patriotism. Basically any action that is done strictly for an audience but doesn’t necessarily line up with who is performing it.
“Tariff”
“a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods.” Searches for this word spiked once again after the President’s promised tariffs started to take effect.
“Six Seven”
“a nonsensical expression connected to a song and a basketball player.” This is unofficial catchphrase of Gen Alpha for 2025, and it serves no purpose but to confuse and annoy adults. The joke originated from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, which were used in memes about 6’ 7” NBA player LaMelo Ball. Before morphing into pure shitposting fodder.
“Conclave”
“a private meeting or secret assembly.” Searches for this word spiked after the death of Pope Francis in April. Following his passing Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world gathered to elect a successor. Since the 13th century, conclaves like this were how a new pope is selected.
