Amber Ellis

02

Oct

By Amber Ellis

Media

Samsung’s Samantha, The Virtual Assistant That Never Shipped, Becomes a Meme

Samantha, nicknamed Sam, is a concept for a Samsung virtual assistant that was never released. After her design surfaced online, the upbeat 3D character exploded in popularity and inspired a flood of memes, fan art, and jokes about the future of Samsung. Deep Dive A design studio, Lightfarm, created polished renders of a Samsung branded assistant in partnership with a Samsung affiliated marketing firm. The concept was not used in any official campaign or product. Despite that, the images spread quickly and the internet adopted Sam as if she were real. Why the internet cares Sam’s look is instantly memeable,…

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02

Oct

By Amber Ellis

Internet

Gen Z, TikTok, and the New Face of Gambling

For decades, gambling was a neon-lit pastime tied to casinos, sports betting slips, and the occasional lottery ticket. But with Gen Z, the landscape looks nothing like the Las Vegas strip. Instead, it’s shaped by TikTok feeds, influencer clips, and livestreamed high-stakes moments that blur the line between entertainment and financial risk. The TikTok Gamble On TikTok, gambling content has exploded into a genre of its own. Young men in particular post clips of themselves placing audacious bets on blackjack, roulette, or rapid-fire “crash games.” The thrill is in the spectacle: turning a few hundred dollars into six figures, or…

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01

Oct

By Amber Ellis

News

October 3rd: Mean Girls Day

For fans of the cult classic Mean Girls, October 3 is celebrated as Mean Girls Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eORqi-n2V0 Deep Dive The date comes from the movie scene where Cady’s crush asks, “What day is it?” and she answers, “It’s October 3.” Fans mark the day by quoting the film, sharing memes, and rewatching the movie. If you are short on time, Ariana Grande’s thank u, next video includes a quick tribute with several iconic moments. Pink is the unofficial dress code. It nods to the Plastics’ rule: “On Wednesdays we wear pink.” When October 3 lands on a Wednesday, the holiday…

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01

Oct

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What is a Consoomer?

A consoomer is a pejorative slang label for a materialistic fan who mindlessly buys the newest products, binges mainstream entertainment, and often performs very online takes about brands or politics. Deep Dive What it meansThe term mocks people whose identity revolves around owning the latest tech and keeping up with big franchise releases. Stereotypically, the consoomer is an adult male into comic books, superhero movies, Star Wars, and long running video game series. OriginsThe meme crystallized after RedLetterMedia’s satirical podcast “The Nerd Crew: Franchise Movie News!!!” in October 2018. Playing hype prone movie nerds, a host sums up the mindset…

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01

Oct

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Does ‘Blind React’ Mean On TikTok?

On TikTok, a blind react is when someone records themselves watching another video for the first time, with no context or preview. Deep Dive Creators film their initial, unfiltered response to a clip they have not seen. The appeal is authenticity, surprise, and the chance to share a genuine take on something unexpected or unique. How it works A creator posts a video and invites viewers to pause and blind react, or a friend shares a link and says to blind react. The viewer opens the original in TikTok, uses Stitch or React, and records their face and response in…

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01

Oct

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Is A Softboy/Softboi?

A softboy or softboi is a label for a man who reads as soft, sensitive, and artsy. Depending on context, it can be affectionate, descriptive, or a critique. Deep Dive Stereotype snapshot Overlaps with hipster, emo, eBoy, skater, indie boy, sad boy, and sometimes f**kboy aesthetics. Visual cues: beards or scruff, thrifted or hipster clothing, lanky vibe, rings, vintage tees. Interests often cited: literature, vinyl, skateboarding, craft beer, cigarettes, moody playlists. Critical framingA common narrative describes a straight man who performs sensitivity and wokeness yet behaves selfishly. In this critique, the softness reads as a tactic to appear likable or…

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01

Oct

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What is a Zoomer?

Zoomer is a slang term for a member of Generation Z, commonly defined as people born between 1996 and 2012. Deep Dive Meaning: Zoomer is interchangeable with Gen Z or Post-Millennial and refers to the cohort that grew up with smartphones, social media, and always-online culture. Why the name: It plays on Boomer for Baby Boomers, and nods to the fast pace of Gen Z upbringings in a world shaped by rapid tech advances. Usage: Often neutral or playful, sometimes used in memes to contrast attitudes between generations. Context tells you whether it is affectionate, descriptive, or a light tease.…

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30

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Is An eBoy?

The Brief An eBoy is the male counterpart to the eGirl, a TikTok centered archetype defined by emo inspired style and a heavy online presence. Depending on context, it can be a playful label, a neutral descriptor, or a dig. Deep Dive What defines an eBoy Emo and skater influenced fashion: striped long sleeves under band tees, black jeans, chains, beanies, nail polish. Signature details: a middle part, a single dangly earring, rings, smudgy liner. Platforms: highly active on TikTok and Instagram, often courting eGirl attention with selfie videos, lip syncs, and outfit posts. How the term is used On…

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29

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

F In The Chat: Press F To Pay Respects

The Brief: Typing "f" into a chat is a way for people to "pay their respects" to something or someone. DEEP DIVE The term originated after a feature in the 2014 release of Call of Duty asked players to press F on their keyboard or X on their controller to “pay respects” to virtual fallen soldiers. Since then, the term and action have been co-opted as a way for people to playfully “pay their respects” to any number of things in Twitch chats and other comment threads.

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29

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

Video Game Skins

The Brief: In video games, skins are outfits, accessories, and other customizable looks for characters and avatars. DEEP DIVE In games such as Fortnite and Overwatch, new skins are released periodically. Skins are typically available for purchase within video games – they can be bought with virtual currency or points.

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29

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Internet

TikTok’s Fold Challenge

The Brief: TikTokers are completing the #FoldChallenge by swinging their arms over their heads, before bending from their waist, while keeping their knees locked in place in response to annoying or disrespectful situations. The “Fold Challenge” on TikTok sees creators suddenly collapsing and folding in half, like a chair. Typically, creators swing their arms over their heads, before bending from their waist, while keeping their knees locked in place. They then slump over onto the floor. “Folding” is meant to be humorous. This challenge and trend began growing in popularity around July 22. The challenge depicts TikTokers’ reactions to comments…

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29

Sep

By Amber Ellis

News

What Is Scam Rap?

The Brief: Scam rap is a subgenre of rap wherein rappers tell tales of their fraudulent exploits with a distinct style and flow. By sharing tales of their exploits, scamming tips, and flexing their new wealth, scam rappers combine the art of the scam with a distinct musical style and lyrical flow. The scams associated with this genre include credit card skimming, identity theft, making fruadulent sales, and related crimes. Typically, these scams are carried out at least partially through online transactions, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, and the dark web. Known for his thorough and brazen descriptions of scamming, sometimes including…

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29

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Is A Simp?

The Brief Online, simp refers to a boy or man who makes sacrifices for a girl or woman without the attention or affection he expects in return. The label is used in two conflicting ways, both to criticize entitlement to women’s time and bodies, and to mock men for respecting women at all. Deep Dive What it means As a noun: a man cast as overly eager or submissive in hopes of winning a woman’s approval. As a verb: simping means acting that way, often in public or on social media. A crass backronym circulates online: Someone or Sucka Idolizing…

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29

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Is A Fit Check?

Fit check and #FitCheck are ways to spotlight an outfit, usually on social media. It is basically “check out my outfit” packaged for the feed. Deep Dive Meaning: “Fit” is short for outfit, and “check” means look it over. Together, it cues a quick showcase of what you are wearing. How it is used: People post a mirror selfie or a short video, then say “fit check” or tag #FitCheck. It often includes brand tags, prices, or where items were thrifted. Formats: Full body pan, point at each item with on screen labels, or a jump cut that reveals the…

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26

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Does Clown Mean?

Clown is slang for a fool. To clown or be a clown means acting foolish or embarrassing yourself. Deep Dive As a noun, a clown means someone behaving foolishly. As a verb, to clown means to act silly, mess around, or make yourself look ridiculous. Putting on clown makeup is a meme phrase for knowingly making a bad choice, despite better judgment. In the wild “When you entertain a clown, you become part of the circus.” “I took a DNA test, turns out I am 100 percent a clown.” “You are a clown if you flex on the people who…

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26

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

The Juice: When Respect Is the Real Flex

Juice is slang for clout, respect, charisma, and pull. If you have the juice, people listen, doors open, and your name carries weight. In some contexts, juice can also mean alcohol or drugs, so the meaning depends on the scene and the sentence. Deep Dive What it means Saying “I got the juice” is a confidence play. It signals social power, popularity, and influence, sometimes tied to money or status, but often to presence and credibility. Think aura plus authority. Where it comes from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsWto8p7t1E The term surged in mainstream culture with the 1992 film Juice, starring Tupac Shakur. In…

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26

Sep

By Amber Ellis

News

Naughty Kids Get… a Hashtag: How Twitter Turned Santa’s List Into a Roast

Every holiday season, the old naughty-or-nice binary pops back into view, complete with stockings, sweets, and the threat of coal. In late 2019, Twitter gave that ritual a wink with #NaughtyKidsGet, a trending prompt that invited people to imagine what modern mischief makers might actually find in their stockings. The result was equal parts satire, parenting commentary, and pure holiday mischief. The setup The premise is simple. Folklore says nice kids are rewarded and naughty ones get coal. The hashtag swaps coal for twenty-first century twists, then asks the internet to pile on. Think of it as a crowd-sourced writer’s…

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26

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Media

Gen-Z guide to podcasts (and why these shows hit)

Podcasts aren’t just “radio on your phone” anymore - they’re a mood, a companion, a second screen you can actually walk away from. For Gen Z, a good show feels like FaceTime energy with editing. It’s watchable on YouTube, snackable on socials, and trustworthy enough that you’ll try the sleep tip or recipe they mention five minutes in. Below is a vibe-forward tour through shows Gen Z actually sticks with - and what those choices say about needs and listening preferences right now. What Gen Z wants from a podcast (in plain language) A host who talks to you, not…

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24

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Does Based Mean?

“Based” is internet slang used to describe someone who is unapologetically themselves, confident, and authentic—often with a hint of rebellious cool. While the word has positive roots in hip-hop culture, it has also been co-opted in online spaces by the alt-right as a badge of approval for conservative or controversial figures. Origins of the Word The term “based” originally comes from the 1980s, tied to the word “basehead”—a derogatory term used during the crack epidemic to describe people addicted to freebasing cocaine. In West Coast slang, “based” meant acting strangely, erratically, or like a “crackhead.” It also carried an undertone…

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24

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Memes

What Does “I’m Baby” Mean?

“I’m baby” is one of those internet phrases that manages to be simultaneously absurd, endearing, and endlessly adaptable. It works as a playful declaration of vulnerability, a stand-in for “cute,” or simply a meme that thrives on its own nonsense. Think of it as shorthand for “small, soft, and in need of affection”—similar in tone to the internet’s beloved smol. Why People Say It When someone types “I’m baby,” they might be: Highlighting their own cuteness or fragility. Asking for gentleness in a tongue-in-cheek way. Playing off the comedic effect of sounding like an actual infant learning to talk. It’s…

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20

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

What Does Zeeted Mean?

Quick Definition “Zeeted” is a slang term born from Elon Musk’s rebranding of Twitter into X. Since tweets are no longer officially “tweets,” users jokingly started calling posts on X “zeets”—and by extension, past-tense: “zeeted.” It’s essentially the meme version of saying, “I posted on X.” Where It Came From When Musk announced in 2023 that Twitter would become X, the biggest question online was: “So… what do we call tweets now?” The official answer was vague, simply “posts.” The internet, however, was not satisfied. Very quickly, the community proposed silly alternatives: “xeets,” “xweets,” “zeets,” and eventually “zeeted” to describe…

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19

Sep

By Amber Ellis

News

Beauty Vlogger Dramageddon: Everything Online Is Permanent

A wave of scandals hit the YouTube beauty community when old racist tweets and offensive posts from several popular vloggers resurfaced. The fallout - dubbed “Dramageddon” - showed just how permanent online footprints can be, and how quickly reputations (and incomes) can crumble when the internet decides to hold someone accountable. Drama in the Beauty World The beauty vlogging scene has long thrived on shade, subtweets, and public feuds. But “Dramageddon” was more than casual gossip—it was career-shaking. The spark came after Shane Dawson’s documentary The Secret Life of Jeffree Star. Some of Jeffree’s former friends—Gabriel Zamora, Laura Lee, Manny…

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14

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Internet

Soft Szn Is Here: Why Everyone’s Embracing Their Inner Marshmallow

You’ve heard of Hot Girl Summer, Cuffing Season, maybe even Goblin Mode. But now, TikTok has officially declared it: we’ve entered Soft Szn. And honestly? It’s the vibe upgrade we all needed. GIF of someone twirling in a pastel dress 🌷✨ What even is Soft Szn? Soft Szn (aka Soft Season, aka #SoftSZN) is the internet’s annual spring refresh where we ditch the dark, heavy vibes of winter and slide into something gentler. Think pastel sweaters, flower crowns, vulnerability, and wholesome energy. Basically, it’s like nature’s update patch for your personality: Less “don’t talk to me,” more “here’s a daisy…

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07

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Glossary

WBK: We Been Knew

WBK is short for We Been Knew, a quick way to say, “this is old news, we already knew that.” It packs a tiny eye roll, a wink, and a victory lap into three letters. Perfect for group chats, stan threads, and comment sections where the tea has been steeping for a while. ☕👀 What WBK means, plain and simple Meaning: “We’ve known this for a long time.” Synonyms you will see in the wild, “old news,” “nothing new,” “as expected.” Tone: playful, a little smug, never surprised. You can make it sweeter with heart emojis, or spicier with side-eye…

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01

Sep

By Amber Ellis

Internet

The Top TikTok Sounds Driving Massive Reach in September 2025

TikTok has always been about more than just short videos — it’s about the sounds that spark trends, fuel memes, and drive creators into the spotlight. In September 2025, the platform is overflowing with fresh remixes, nostalgic throwbacks, and viral audios that are setting the tone for everything from comedy skits to dreamy transitions. Whether you’re looking to hop on the latest trend, boost your visibility, or just explore what’s buzzing on your FYP, here are the top TikTok sounds dominating September 2025. 1. “I Have One Daughter” – Luke Holloway https://www.tiktok.com/@zanele_potelwa/video/7516601843976359173?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Absurd humor reigns supreme with this viral comedic…

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28

Aug

By Amber Ellis

TikTok

How Amphibians Conquered TikTok And What It Means

If you’ve ever scrolled past a White’s tree frog yawning like a cat, a knitted frog skit, or a terrarium time-lapse, you’ve brushed up against FrogTok. This subculture is much more than random clips of amphibians, it’s a thriving community with aesthetics, debates, and even conservation implications. Let’s dive deeper into what makes FrogTok so fascinating. From niche meme to full TikTok ecosystem Frog culture online predates TikTok, with classics like “It is Wednesday, my dudes” or Kermit memes. What TikTok did was give frogs a new stage, turning a scattered meme into a consistent content lane. Around 2020, FrogTok…

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