The meaning of the slang word ‘Based” has changed on TikTok but the majority of users are unaware of it. So, what does ‘Based’ mean on TikTok? Let’s explore together.
Users on the Chinese video-sharing app are encountering unique words with every scroll across the Foryou page. Some words are short forms of long words while many others are just random slang words that don’t have an exact meaning. After being used by the majority of users they become signature lingo.
A similar word that was once used in its literal sense has evolved after joining TikTok. The word “Based” is perceived differently by different users and they have mixed opinions about its meaning. But what does the word ‘Based’ actually mean on TikTok? Let’s have a look.
‘Based’ Meaning On TikTok
TikTok has been home to a range of challenges, trends, and effects followed by the users for entertainment. While having fun, users worldwide invent new short-hands and slangs that later become viral. Among these viral short-hands and slang words, some are short forms of long words while others get their meaning after being heard in any specific event, incident, or video.
Currently, the simple word “Based” is making rounds on the platform, and users cannot understand its meaning. Though its literal meaning is quite simple, users on TikTok perceive it differently.
While exploring its meaning, we came across different sites that presented this word differently. According to Dictionary.com, the word-based refers to “being addicted to cocaine”. However, it is being reported that the meaning of this slang word has changed. It is changed by the rapped Lil B and now it means “being yourself and not caring what others think of you.”
As explained by the slang dictionary, the word Based is being used by the alt-right online as a general term of praise, as if “un-woke.”
While the meaning of this slang word has evolved, users are unable to grasp its meaning. Some users have even come up with memes to explain how they feel when someone doesn’t get the meaning of it.
On Twitter, a user named @noah explained this word sarcastically saying, “Me explaining to my therapist the meaning of pog, based, and cringe bc that’s the only way I have of categorizing my feelings”.
Where To Use ‘Based’ On TikTok
After probing the meaning of this word on Urban Dictionary, we found the following details:
“Based is a word used when you agree with something; or when you want to recognize someone for being themselves, i.e. courageous and unique or not caring what others think. Especially common in online political slang.”
“The opposite of cringe, sometimes the opposite of biased.”
“The latter usage is the original use as coined by rapper Lil B. And the word originally took off on the meta-ironic website 4Chan with the latter meaning. For that reason, the word is largely used meta-ironically. (without context you can’t tell if it’s being used ironically or sincerely as it’s used in both ways).
And was popularized in online political slang of conservatives and the political right before being adopted into mainstream online political slang (likely through shitposting websites or subreddits such as r/politicalcompass memes that are similar to 4chan in their meta-irony and “edginess” but contain a wider variety of political beliefs) and eventually adopted into general online vernacular.”
After knowing about the whole new meaning of this viral slang users have shown pleasure towards it. While talking about the sudden shift in its meaning, one user said. “I like how based went from an insult to meaning cool to being cringe back to being cool again”.
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Conclusion
This is what based mean on TikTok and how it can be used on the video-sharing app. If you are still not getting its meaning, simply follow the hashtag #Based and you will get plenty of videos to understand the idea behind it.