A surprising new champion has been crowned: “slop” is Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year. But forget images of messy kitchens and animal feed – this “slop” carries a distinctly digital sting.
For centuries, “slop” described refuse, waste, anything considered worthless. Think discarded food, unpleasant byproducts, or simply things of no value. Its origins were firmly rooted in the tangible world of detritus.
Now, the dictionary defines “slop” as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” It’s a label for the overwhelming tide of online material flooding our screens.
Consider the sheer amount of time we spend gazing at devices. It’s inevitable that not everything we encounter will be worthwhile, and “slop” perfectly encapsulates this digital deluge. It’s the online equivalent of…well, crap.
Merriam-Webster’s announcement paints a vivid picture: absurd videos, jarring advertisements, manipulative propaganda, convincingly fake news, poorly written AI books, and time-wasting reports. Oh, and an abundance of talking cats. The public’s reaction? A strange mix of annoyance and consumption.
Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster’s president, calls the word “illustrative.” It reflects our complex relationship with AI – a technology that simultaneously fascinates, frustrates, and often feels absurd. It’s a word born from a technological shift.
Much of this “slop” originates from AI video generators, capable of churning out clips in minutes based on simple prompts. But it also encompasses the relentless repetition of trends, the feeling of being bombarded with the same content until it loses all meaning.
Yet, “slop” isn’t entirely negative. Barlow suggests it signals a growing public discernment. People are craving authenticity, rejecting the artificial in favor of the genuine. It’s a subtle rebellion against the tide of AI-generated content.
The word implies a desire for something *real*. It hints at a collective realization that AI, despite its advancements, can’t always replicate the nuance and creativity of the human mind. Sometimes, it simply isn’t very intelligent.
Merriam-Webster’s selection process relies on data – tracking spikes in searches and usage throughout the year. “Slop” rose to prominence not through deliberate promotion, but through organic, widespread recognition of a shared experience.
Other words that resonated in 2025 included “gerrymander,” “touch grass,” “performative,” “tariff,” “conclave,” and the curiously popular “67.” Each reflects a facet of the year’s cultural and political landscape.
Ultimately, the choice of “slop” is a commentary on our digital age. It’s a recognition of the overwhelming volume of content, and a quiet hope that we’ll learn to navigate it with more critical eyes.
