Top Ten Slang Terms of 2012

Editor's Note: This article is part of Know Your Meme's Top 10 Review looking back at some of the most memorable and popular memes, events and people that defined the Internet culture in 2012 as we know it. And brace yourselves, the grand finale list Best Memes of 2012 is coming soon!

Many slang terms proliferated across the web this year, spreading through forum posts, image macros and even Twitter hash tags. The Know Your Meme staff have gone back and analyzed a plethora of these Internet phrases and abbreviations, narrowing down 10 of the year's most significant. There were several slang terms that didn't quite make the cut but still deserve honorable mention, including Curlbro, Rack City, Meh and 5ever.

#10: U WOT M8

Definition	Shorthand for the colloquialism "You what, mate?" used by English speakers from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, typically used as an incredulous response to an incoherent proposition
Etymology	The online l33t-style shorthand of "M8" was first noted on Urban Dictionary in November of 2002 and the phrase "U WOT M8" was first used as a caption for an image of a confused-looking man in 2011.
Usage	Person A: I like turtles. Person B: U WOT M8?
Variants	LOL WOT M8, Say hello to my little U WOT m8
Synonyms	O RLY?, LOLWut, Wat, WTF

#9: You Tried

Definition	A phrase used to caption a reaction image featuring a gold star, often used in a sarcastic and condescending manner to express feigned sympathy toward a failed attempt at humor or insult
Etymology	Believed to have originated on Tumblr sometime in May of 2012
Usage	Person A: And then I said "U mad?" Person B: You tried.
Variants	you tried too hard, there was an attempt, i tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesn't even matter
Synonyms	Nailed It, Seems legit, 2deep4u

#8: Swole

Definition	A slang term short for "swollen" used to describe someone who has developed large muscles or a well-defined physique from lifting weights
Etymology	Urban Dictionary user Dan P. submitted a definition for the term on April 27th, 1998
Usage	I can't wait to go to the gym and get swole.
Variants	Old swole, Bad Luck Brian gets swole, Hipster swole
Synonyms	Curlbro, Bro

#7: My Body is Ready

Definition	Used to humorously convey excitement or anticipation
Etymology	Originally spoken by Nintendo executive Reggie Fils-Aime during a demonstration of the Wii Fit at an E3 press conference held on July 11th, 2007
Usage	Person A: Did you hear that Half-Life 3 is finally coming out? Person B: My body is ready.
Variants	Body, are you ready, my body is groovy, My anatomical structure is most certainly adapted for the current situation
Synonyms	Dis gon b gud, Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo

#6: Cray

Definition	Shorthand for "crazy," indicating that something is profound, absurd or unbelievable
Etymology	Coined by YouTuber Andrew Gunadie on January 7th, 2011 and was used in the song "Niggas in Paris" by Kanye West and Jay-Z off their 2011 collaboration album Watch the Throne
Usage	Person A: The moon landing was faked by the government. Person B: That sh*t cray.
Variants	cray cray, that sh*t cray
Synonyms	Impossibru, Where is your god now?, Are you a wizard?

#5: That Feel

Definition	Used to express sympathy toward someone else's emotional state or used to invoke an emotion felt in a specific context
Etymology	Used as early as May 2010 on the German image board Krautchan
Usage	Person A: That feel when you see police lights in your rear-view mirror Person B: I know that feel bro.
Variants	Why can't I hold all these feels?, Feel with it, Do you even feel?
Synonyms	Manly tears, Feels Good Man, MFW

#4: Swag

Definition	Shorthand for "swagger," indicating a type of style or presence that exudes confidence
Etymology	"Swagger" saw a modern resurgence through its usage in hip hop lyrics, starting with Jay-Z in September of 2011 and "swag" was later popularized by rappers Soulja Boy and Lil B in 2010
Usage	I forgot to turn my swag off and woke up covered in b*tches
Variants	I'm sorry, I can't hear you over my swag, #swag Spider-Man, #swagrid
Synonyms	Jack my swag, I'm so fresh you can suck my nuts, Suburban Hardass

#3: Do You Even Lift?

Definition	A condescending expression used to criticize someone's fitness expertise or weight lifting routine
Etymology	Body Building Forums member bubbaT used the phrase to insult forum member squirrel on February 16th, 2002
Usage	Person A: I'm getting so swole from all these bicep curls. Person B: Do you even lift?
Variants	Did ancient aliens even lift?, Do you even gift?, Do you even science?
Synonyms	That's cute, Mansplaining, Condescending Wonka

#2: YOLO

Definition	An acronym for the phrase "you only live once," which is often used to excuse irresponsible behaviors or bring attention to exciting events
Etymology	Attributed to Adam Mesh from the third season of the NBC reality show The Average Joe, who launched the "You Only Live Once" clothing line on March 20th, 2004
Usage	Person A: Why are you playing video games? Shouldn't you be studying for final? Person B: YOLO.
Variants	YOWO, YLMT, OOYL
Synonyms	Carpe diem, hakuna matata, the answer to life, the universe and everything, FML

#1: That Really Rustled My Jimmies

Definition	An expression that is used to convey feelings of discontent or discomfort in response to someone else’s post in imageboards and discussion forums, most notably on 4chan
Etymology	The phrase originated from FunnyJunk with an image macro of a a frowning gorilla posted by an anonymous user on June 16th, 2010
Usage	Person A: Did you see that new advice animal entry on Know Your Meme? Person B: Yes, I did. That really rustled my jimmies.
Variants	I Have Evolved Beyond The Need for Jimmies, You cannot even imagine how unrustled our jimmies are, Shh no tears only dreams now
Synonyms	FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU, Actually it's not OK, Son I'm disappoint