What Does 'Woke' Mean In Meme Culture? The Slang Term Explained

The word woke is a slang term that has floated across the internet for years as a vague descriptor for social justice, among other, looser definitions. In recent years, however, the word has come under increased scrutiny.

The term has been invoked for everything from criticizing annoying internet slang to being the cause for entire corporations supposedly flopping as it's become progressively more prevalent and contentious.

For those still unsure about how people use the term "woke" and what the slang term actually means, here's a brief history of the word through various notable internet happenings.

What Does The Word "Woke" Mean, And When Did The Word Become Popularized?

The term "woke" is generally used to describe political and social awareness, and it is derived from the idea of "waking up" or being "awake" to issues of social justice. A New York Times article from 1962 used the term "woke" as an example of African American Vernacular English some white people were reportedly eager to adopt.

The word "woke" continued to be used to describe the act of being aware of social and political issues in the following decades, with various artists and musicians adopting the vernacular in their work.

When Did The Word "Woke" First Appear On The Internet, And How Is It Generally Used?

The word "woke" received renewed attention and usage on the internet in light of the 2014 Ferguson Riots, with one Urban Dictionary user defining the word as being "aware of" or "awake to" what's happening in the word. The term "woke" here takes on a different meaning from just vague political awareness, now signifying the act of being aware and informed despite misinformation.

The act of being "woke" or the call to "stay woke" thus takes on a wider use and meaning in internet culture. Such use can often be lighthearted and humorous. In some scenarios, being "woke" is even likened to being prone to believing conspiracy theories, as seen in this meme about Tupac possibly being a hologram.

Often, right-wing internet users use the term "woke" in a derogatory manner towards people or companies that appear to be encouraging diversity or liberal values. During Pride Month, many companies have been at the center of "anti-woke" attacks, including Target, Chick-fil-A, and many more.

What Are Some Memes That Use The Word Woke?

A popular use of the term "woke" in meme culture was the "broke / woke" trend in which people shared what they thought was "broke" or outdated and compared it to what they think is "woke" and more relevant and appealing. This trend is not unlike similar phrasal templates like "tired / wired."

Another famous instance of the word "woke" being used in memes was when conservative thinker Jordan Peterson said, "Up yours woke moralists! We'll see who cancels who." Peterson's bizarre and humorous cadence sent the internet into a tizzy as the quote became the subject of numerous memes.

Batman villains when you die in an Arkham game https://t.co/tTF2DKhPCJ

— All-Black the Negrosword (@TheDouggernaut) July 6, 2022

Another prominent meme featuring the term "woke" is Jacksfilms' finna woke, which served less as a commentary about political awareness than it did the perils of annoying internet lingo. As is the case with several AAVE words adopted by internet users over the decades, rampant misuse of words like "finna" and "woke" led to an inevitable backlash against those who use and misused it.

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