Goblin Mode - Oxford Word of the Year 2022

In 2022, 'goblin mode' was named Oxford Word of the Year after a public vote. The term describes a type of behavior that is 'unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.' It went viral in early 2022 after a tweet featuring a doctored headline claiming Julia Fox had used the term. The expression resonated strongly during the COVID-19 pandemic era, when people embraced comfort over social performance and rejected the curated perfectionism of social media. The term's success demonstrates the enduring cultural power of goblin imagery—the goblin as a symbol of chaos, mischief, and rejection of social expectations. 'Goblin mode' represents the folkloric goblin's mischievous, rule-breaking nature adapted to modern self-care and anti-perfectionist discourse.