#meme

A formative life experience that seems destined to happen and cannot be changed without altering who a person fundamentally becomes. Popularized by Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), it spread as a meme for inevitable painful or awkward experiences that "must" happen for character development.

“Getting rejected from your first-choice college is a canon event — it redirects you somewhere better.”

A fictional drug that one is metaphorically "inhaling" to cope with disappointment, loss, or an unfavorable situation. Implies the person is in denial.

“Fans saying the season 8 finale was actually good are breathing pure copium.”

Describing a thought, person, or thing that occupies mental space constantly without invitation — to be "living rent free in someone's head" means they can't stop thinking about it even if they don't want to. The "rent free" part suggests they're getting space without paying for the privilege.

“That comment from my ex is still living rent free in my head two years later.”

An archetype describing a highly self-reliant, independent individual who operates outside conventional social hierarchies — contrasted with the "alpha" who dominates social groups. A sigma succeeds on their own terms, is indifferent to social approval, and follows their own path. Heavily memed, often used ironically.

“He didn't go to prom and built a startup instead — absolute sigma grindset.”

Originally a gaming term for completing a video game as fast as possible, "speedrun" spread into internet culture to describe doing anything at an unusually fast or reckless pace. "Speedrunning life" means achieving major milestones (job, relationship, house) in rapid succession, often used humorously.

“He got hired, moved in, and proposed within three months. Absolute speedrun of adulthood.”

A viral 2024 phrase used to describe behavior that is extremely modest, restrained, mindful, and presentable. Originating from TikTok creator Jools Lebron's videos advising people on how to present themselves professionally and politely, it became a widespread template for humorously praising or describing careful, considerate behavior.

“I wore a neat blazer to the interview, very demure, very mindful.”