goblin mode

[ gob-lin mohd ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a way of behaving that intentionally disregards social expectations in favor of following one's own impulsive and self-indulgent desires:

   It's been a stressful week at work and I'm just going goblin mode this weekend.

Word History and Origins

Origin of goblin mode¹

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

Last year's Oxford word of the year was "goblin mode", another slang term describing "unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy" behaviour.

From BBC

Casper Grathwohl, president at Oxford Languages, said that while "goblin mode" had resonated with many people after the pandemic, "it's interesting to see a contrasting word like rizz come to the forefront".

From BBC

A lot of writers I know were in their goblin mode.

From Los Angeles Times

It was also the first year the Oxford adult word of the year - goblin mode - was voted on by the public.

From BBC

Our twice-impeached, document-stealing, insurrection-fomenting former president is a master gaslighter, and has been in goblin mode since childhood.

From Salon