The Merriam-Webster dictionary has announced that it has chosen “Slop” as its 2025 Word of the Year, marking a major shift in the digital world. This selection reflects how the flood of low-quality content generated by AI technology on the internet has become a cultural phenomenon. The dictionary defines the word as substandard digital content, often produced in large quantities using AI tools.
The internet now has a name for this low-quality content: What is a Slop?
The dictionary editors based their decision on the increasing volume of searches and widespread use of fake or sloppy content encountered online. Merriam-Webster president Greg Barlow states that the term reflects both the fascinating and annoying aspects of technology. People now need a common language to describe this type of content that appears in search results or on social media.
The word’s origins are actually quite old. Used in the 1700s to mean soft mud and in the 1800s to refer to leftovers given to pigs, “Slop” has evolved to describe unwanted and worthless products in the digital world today. This situation points to a process similar to how the word “spam” began to be used for unwanted emails.
Independent researchers note that this term carries a cynical and condescending tone towards artificial intelligence, rather than a fearful one. “Slop” is a response to AI’s failed and soulless attempts to replace human creativity. The increase in AI-generated videos, faulty advertising visuals, and fake news, particularly in 2024 and 2025, has contributed to the widespread use of this term.
Of course, experts point out that not all AI-generated content falls into this category. The distinction lies in intent and quality. If AI is used to improve something, it is seen as a positive tool; however, when used effortlessly and carelessly, simply for the sake of producing content, it is labeled “Slop.”
Do you frequently encounter this kind of meaningless or clearly low-quality content while browsing the internet? What are your thoughts on this phenomenon engulfing the digital world?
