The word 'slop' has emerged as the go-to descriptor for low-quality digital content generated by AI, from bizarre ads to fake news. Merriam-Webster's president, Greg Barlow, explains that while its historical meaning related to soft mud, it has evolved to signify the lower tier of online content, often generated in bulk by AI technologies. With deepfake videos and manipulated images on the rise, 'slop' highlights the public's growing awareness of authenticity. As such media fills social media feeds, there's a collective yearning for genuine, reliable content, making 'slop' not just relevant but necessary for understanding current digital communication trends.
Slop: Merriam-Webster's 2025 Word of the Year
The term 'slop' captures the essence of low-quality content flooding the digital landscape, a phenomenon intensified by AI technologies.
Merriam-Webster has announced 'slop' as the 2025 word of the year, a term denoting low-quality digital content created through AI. This word reflects growing concerns about the proliferation of misinformation and fake media, as seen in political uses and social media trends. Greg Barlow, president of Merriam-Webster, highlights that the term encapsulates people's desire for authenticity amid the sea of absurd and deceptive online material.
