Key Takeaways
- The word "slop" has been named Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year, reflecting the proliferation of low-quality, AI-generated content online.
- The term "slop" refers to digital content of low quality, often produced in quantity by means of artificial intelligence, including absurd videos, weird advertising images, and fake news.
- The rise of AI-generated content has raised concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and copyright issues.
- Merriam-Webster’s selection of "slop" as the word of the year reflects a growing awareness of the need for authentic and genuine content in the digital age.
Introduction to Slop
The word "slop" has been named Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year, a term that has gained significant attention in recent times due to the widespread availability of generative artificial intelligence. According to Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster’s president, "slop" is an illustrative word that reflects the transformative technology of AI and its ability to produce low-quality content that is often fascinating, annoying, and ridiculous. The word "slop" was first used in the 1700s to mean soft mud, but its definition has since expanded to include digital content of low quality, often produced in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.
The Evolution of Slop
The definition of "slop" has evolved over time to include a wide range of low-quality digital content, including absurd videos, weird advertising images, and fake news that looks real. This type of content has existed online for years, but the tools to create it are now more accessible and are being used to political ends by various figures, including the head of the Pentagon. For example, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a manipulated image of a beloved cartoon turtle, reimagined as a grenade-wielding fighter, to defend U.S. military actions in Venezuela. This type of content raises concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and copyright issues, and highlights the need for critical thinking and media literacy in the digital age.
The Impact of Slop
The word "slop" evokes unpleasant images of mud-caked pigs crowding around a dirty trough, or perhaps a bucket of steaming, fetid stew. For some, the word induces dread, but for Barlow, it brings a sense of hope. The dictionary’s president believes that the spike in searches for the word reflects a growing awareness of the need for authentic and genuine content in the digital age. People are looking for things that are real, and they want to be able to distinguish between high-quality content and low-quality "slop." This desire for authenticity is a defiant response to the proliferation of AI-generated content, and it highlights the importance of human creativity and critical thinking in the digital age.
The Selection of Slop as Word of the Year
To select the word of the year, Merriam-Webster’s editors review data about which words have risen in search results and usage, and then come to a consensus about which word best reflects the span of the year. The dictionary has selected one word every year since 2003 to capture and make sense of the current moment. Last year, the word "polarization" was chosen, reflecting the shifting national mood and the growing divide between different groups. This year, the word "slop" was chosen, reflecting the growing awareness of the need for authentic and genuine content in the digital age.
Other Notable Words of 2025
In addition to "slop," several other words made it to Merriam-Webster’s top words of 2025 list. These include "6-7," a viral term that exploded in popularity over the summer, "performative," a word that refers to the act of pretending to be something one is not, and "gerrymander," a word that refers to the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries for political gain. Other notable words include "touch grass," a phrase that refers to the act of participating in normal activities in the real world, and "conclave," a word that refers to the centuries-old election of a pope.
The Importance of Language
The selection of "slop" as the word of the year highlights the importance of language in shaping our understanding of the world. Words have the power to reflect and shape our culture, and they can be used to inspire, educate, and manipulate. The rise of AI-generated content has raised important questions about the role of language in the digital age, and the need for critical thinking and media literacy. By choosing "slop" as the word of the year, Merriam-Webster is highlighting the need for authenticity and genuine content in the digital age, and the importance of human creativity and critical thinking in shaping our understanding of the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the word "slop" has been named Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year, reflecting the proliferation of low-quality, AI-generated content online. The term "slop" refers to digital content of low quality, often produced in quantity by means of artificial intelligence, and its rise has raised concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and copyright issues. The selection of "slop" as the word of the year highlights the need for authentic and genuine content in the digital age, and the importance of human creativity and critical thinking in shaping our understanding of the world. As we move forward in the digital age, it is essential that we prioritize critical thinking and media literacy, and that we recognize the importance of language in shaping our culture and our understanding of the world.