What sets the internet apart from other modes of communication—video, audio, text, imagery—is the way it translates a combination of forms into meaning through the use of animated gifs. Here, we present a glossary of their definitions.
Gifs—”graphics interchange formats”—are unique to the internet, in that they utilize a short loop of soundless video-like motion to convey thoughts, feelings, memes, or retorts. While a picture says a thousand words, a gif gets the point across much more succinctly.
Note: You can use all of these gifs yourself! Just right-click and copy the image code, or drag the image itself to the space where you want to insert the code.
AAAHH – a reaction of elation to exciting news
Agreed – a response of assent with another
Agreed (emphatic)
Ain’t no thang – response to a mild, insignificant inconvenience
Applause – expression of approval, appreciation, acclaim
Bitch, please – incredulous response to something that is outrageous, stupid, or false; can also be used in response to an unintimidating threat
Bitch, please (var.)
Boo hoo – mostly used sarcastically to invalidate someone’s sadness; can also be used genuinely to convey one’s own sadness
Bring it – an invitation to a challenge
Check yourself – a request issued to someone to pause and examine his/her actions or words before proceeding
Cringe – used in response to something unfunny, awkward, or embarrassing
Cuckoo – response to insanity
Dead to me – hyperbolic expression of washing one’s hands of someone
Deal with it – image macro used as a retort to someone’s disapproval
Do not want – a standard reply to anything undesirable; can also be used to alert others as to whether content is worth viewing
Do not want (emphatic)
Duh – response to when the obvious is stated
Eye roll – gesture of dismay or exasperation
Ew – response of disgust
Fuck yo couch – similar to the use of “Fuck you” IRL, this conveys total irreverence
Good grief – used to express feelings of dejection
Headdesk – body language that expresses frustration, stress, or dismay toward the actions of others or oneself
How you doin’? – greeting
How you doin’? (var.) – before using it on her daytime talk show, Wendy Williams originally coined the phrase as a way to imply that someone is gay
I’d hit that – used to convey sexual attraction in spite of popular opinion on the person in question
I don’t want to see that – similar to “Do not want,” but used mostly in reaction to something visually unappealing
I need a drink – used as a reply to information that is too much to handle, stressful, or depressing
I’m out – abandoning or withdrawing from a situation or conversation out of disagreement, disinterest, or distress
I’m out (emphatic)
Internet reading expression – conveys one’s feelings about online text
Internet reading expression (var.)
Internet reading expression (var.)
Internet reading expression (var.)
Internet reading expression (var.)
I see what you did there – generally used in response to a bad joke
I see what you did there (plural)
I will kill you – hyperbolic threat
Jane! – originating on the HBO series The Comeback, this is a request for a “time out” or a complete halt to an uncomfortable situation
LOL – laughing out loud
Move on – utilized to change the direction of a conversation that has been exhausted or is no longer productive; also can be used as a social cue to encourage others to no longer focus attention on unworthy subject matter
NBD – “no big deal”; used in response to something typical
Oh no you didn’t – response of incredulity
OMG – “oh my God”; exclamation of surprise or disgust
O RLY? – used to convey a deadpan response to something doubtful, dumb, or unimpressive
O RLY? (var.)
Shimmy – used to express one’s pride over a modest achievement; also used sarcastically to patronize another’s modest achievement
Shut up – plea for an end to an unworthy conversation or false statement
Shut up (emphatic)
SMH – “shakes my head”; conveys a gesture of disappointment or dismay that doesn’t warrant words
Smoke up – a request for marijuana use
Snooki bomb – part of a larger internet meme in which Jersey Shore‘s Snooki is inserted into situations in which she does not belong
Snow sucks – expression of displeasure with inclement weather
Spit-take – comedic reaction of disbelief
SRSLY? – sarcastic disbelief
This oughta be good – conveys excitement over a brewing internet fight, of which one chooses to not participate, but merely enjoy as an audience
This oughta be good (var.)
Thumbs up – can either be used genuinely (as an assent) or sarcastically (as condescending) over someone’s actions
Turtle time – a call for celebration that typically implies imbibing Pinot Grigio
Well, well – conveys smugness; also can be used a sarcastic reaction to someone’s smugness
We’re listening – used to egg on a response that is likely to either be insufficient or unintelligent
Whatever – derisive or dismissive response
WTF – either a question or exclamation of confusion, amazement, or disbelief
Yay – an expression of elation