The Brief: The term 'basic' or 'basic b**ch' is a way to refer to someone who is an airhead or a sheep, who follows trends to the extent of being predictable and boring.
DEEP DIVE
“Basic b**ch” is a demeaning term used to characterize women and girls whose interests and consumer patterns are unoriginal and mainstream. Sometimes shortened to “basic,” the term usually refers to a young, heterosexual upper-middle-class white woman. Classic interests and style choices of a “basic b**ch” include the PSL, UGG boots, The North Face, Taylor Swift, brunch, selfies, rosé, yoga pants, Pinterest, and celebrity gossip. BuzzFeed has a humorous quiz to help you figure out just how basic you are.
Critics have pointed out that the insult “basic b**ch” is unfairly gendered, making fun of young women who are just trying to live their lives.