What Does 'Locktober' Mean? The Viral TikTok Term's Two Meanings And Confusing History Explained

It's October, which also means it's Locktober. And, depending on which TikTok user you ask, Locktober has two completely different meanings.

The prefix "lock-" could mean a number of things, and it does, in this case. TikTokers and other social media users from all walks of life think they know what Locktober is. But it's true that one group has an original claim.

So, what does Locktober mean? Who came up with it and why is it going viral right now? Let's explain.

What Does 'Locktober' Mean?

That's a loaded question.

If you asked a year ago, Locktober is an informal challenge in which kinky people wear a chastity belt for all of October. It's basically the BDSM community's answer to No Nut November. During Locktober, the participant cannot climax or remove their nether-region's lock for the entire month.

This year, however, Locktober has taken on a new meaning. Mostly straight guys on TikTok have coined "Locktober" as an example of parallel thinking. For them, Locktober means "locking in" for all of October before the year ends. This means going to the gym, eating healthy and fulfilling your New Year's resolution.

Where Did The Orignal Meaning Of 'Locktober' Come From?

It's unclear who used the term Locktober first in the BDSM community. However, its earliest recorded definition was shared on Urban Dictionary in 2018. With that timeline in mind, Locktober could very well be a direct descendant of No Nut November, which was coined in 2017.

Where Did 'Locktober's' Alternate Meaning Come From?

The new definition of Locktober was seemingly coined by a TikToker named @co1inwiw in late September. He urged his followers to participate in "L🔒cktober," riffing on the precursor meme catchphrase "When you gotta lock in" (which is popular among bodybuilding, fitness and manosphere internet circles).

The TikToker doesn't seem to know what Locktober means, although it's unclear. He could easily be trolling.

Of course, many people who are aware of Locktober's original meaning are finding the confusion entertaining. Video skits about these straight men, who are seemingly clueless, have surfaced en masse.

For the full history of Locktober, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.