
What sets the internet apart from other modes of communication—video, audio, text, imagery—is the way it translates a combination of forms into meaning through the use of animated gifs. Here, we present a glossary of their definitions.

Gifs—"graphics interchange formats"—are unique to the internet, in that they utilize a short loop of soundless video-like motion to convey thoughts, feelings, memes, or retorts. While a picture says a thousand words, a gif gets the point across much more succinctly.


Note: You can use all of these gifs yourself! Just right-click and copy the image code, or drag the image itself to the space where you want to insert the code.





AAAHH - a reaction of elation to exciting news







Agreed - a response of assent with another








Agreed (emphatic)








Ain't no thang - response to a mild, insignificant inconvenience








Applause - expression of approval, appreciation, acclaim








Bitch, please - incredulous response to something that is outrageous, stupid, or false; can also be used in response to an unintimidating threat








Bitch, please (var.)








Boo hoo - mostly used sarcastically to invalidate someone's sadness; can also be used genuinely to convey one's own sadness








Bring it - an invitation to a challenge








Check yourself - a request issued to someone to pause and examine his/her actions or words before proceeding








Cringe - used in response to something unfunny, awkward, or embarrassing








Cuckoo - response to insanity








Dead to me - hyperbolic expression of washing one's hands of someone








Deal with it - image macro used as a retort to someone's disapproval








Do not want - a standard reply to anything undesirable; can also be used to alert others as to whether content is worth viewing








Do not want (emphatic)








Duh - response to when the obvious is stated








Eye roll - gesture of dismay or exasperation








Ew - response of disgust








Fuck yo couch - similar to the use of "Fuck you" IRL, this conveys total irreverence








Good grief - used to express feelings of dejection








Headdesk - body language that expresses frustration, stress, or dismay toward the actions of others or oneself








How you doin'? - greeting








How you doin'? (var.) - before using it on her daytime talk show, Wendy Williams originally coined the phrase as a way to imply that someone is gay








I'd hit that - used to convey sexual attraction in spite of popular opinion on the person in question








I don't want to see that - similar to "Do not want," but used mostly in reaction to something visually unappealing








I need a drink - used as a reply to information that is too much to handle, stressful, or depressing








I'm out - abandoning or withdrawing from a situation or conversation out of disagreement, disinterest, or distress








I'm out (emphatic)








Internet reading expression - conveys one's feelings about online text








Internet reading expression (var.)








Internet reading expression (var.)








Internet reading expression (var.)








Internet reading expression (var.)








I see what you did there - generally used in response to a bad joke








I see what you did there (plural)








I will kill you - hyperbolic threat








Jane! - originating on the HBO series The Comeback, this is a request for a "time out" or a complete halt to an uncomfortable situation








LOL - laughing out loud








Move on - utilized to change the direction of a conversation that has been exhausted or is no longer productive; also can be used as a social cue to encourage others to no longer focus attention on unworthy subject matter








NBD - "no big deal"; used in response to something typical








Oh no you didn't - response of incredulity








OMG - "oh my God"; exclamation of surprise or disgust








O RLY? - used to convey a deadpan response to something doubtful, dumb, or unimpressive








O RLY? (var.)








Shimmy - used to express one's pride over a modest achievement; also used sarcastically to patronize another's modest achievement








Shut up - plea for an end to an unworthy conversation or false statement








Shut up (emphatic)








SMH - "shakes my head"; conveys a gesture of disappointment or dismay that doesn't warrant words








Smoke up - a request for marijuana use








Snooki bomb - part of a larger internet meme in which Jersey Shore's Snooki is inserted into situations in which she does not belong








Snow sucks - expression of displeasure with inclement weather








Spit-take - comedic reaction of disbelief








SRSLY? - sarcastic disbelief








This oughta be good - conveys excitement over a brewing internet fight, of which one chooses to not participate, but merely enjoy as an audience








This oughta be good (var.)








Thumbs up - can either be used genuinely (as an assent) or sarcastically (as condescending) over someone's actions








Turtle time - a call for celebration that typically implies imbibing Pinot Grigio








Well, well - conveys smugness; also can be used a sarcastic reaction to someone's smugness








We're listening - used to egg on a response that is likely to either be insufficient or unintelligent








Whatever - derisive or dismissive response








WTF - either a question or exclamation of confusion, amazement, or disbelief








Yay - an expression of elation

