LORE

What Does Lore Mean?

Lore means "Backstory, narrative, or personal information." The hashtag #lore has gone viral on social media, especially on TikTok. If you're baffled as to why this old word has become new slang, read on and catch up!

Origins

The term "lore" has its origins in Old English and has evolved over time. The official definition is:

• Lore (noun): Traditional knowledge or wisdom passed down through generations, often in the form of stories, customs, beliefs, or practices. Lore encompasses cultural traditions, legends, myths, and other collective knowledge that may not necessarily be based on factual or scientific evidence but holds significance within a particular culture or community.

For example, folklore includes folktales, legends, superstitions, and oral traditions that are part of a culture's heritage. "Lore" can also refer to the accumulated knowledge, customs, and traditions of a specific group or society.

Gaming and Entertainment

In slang or internet gaming, "lore" can have a specific meaning. In these contexts, it often refers to the backstory, narrative, or historical information about a video game, movie, book, or other fictional world. It encompasses all the details, stories, and world-building elements that provide context to the characters, settings, and events within that fictional universe.

For example, in a video game, players might discuss the "lore" of the game world, which includes information about the game's history, characters, factions, and significant events. Gamers may engage in discussions about the "lore" to better understand the game's narrative or to speculate on future developments.

Modern Slang Usage

The word "lore" became popular on TikTok in late 2022, and has since spread to other social media platforms. Using #lore, users share their own story and personal information (including occasional very personal snippets), or snatches of information about their favorite celebrities. For example:

• #Lore. Taylor Swift wrote a book when she was a teenager.
• BTS's fans are called A.R.M.Y.. #Lore.
• #Lore. I sat next to Kristina Pimenova in class.
• I was expelled from school for smoking weed in recess. #Lore.

Using the hashtag #lore, social media users share their own story or facts about their favorites.

Summary of Key Points

"Backstory, Narrative, or Personal Information" is the most common definition for Lore on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Lore
Definition:	Backstory, Narrative, or Personal Information
Type:	Word (Slang)
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

An Academic Look at Lore

Lore is a noun used as a slang word. Nouns are words that represent people, places, or things. Everything we can see or talk about is represented by a word. That word is called a "noun." You might find it useful to think of a noun as a "naming word."

Slang is informal language that consists of words, phrases, and uses of language that are often restricted to a specific context or a particular group of users. Slang is not typically used in formal or professional settings.

Example of Lore Used in a Text

Quiz

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