What does YOLO mean? It is an acronym, abbreviation or slang word meaning"You Only Live Once". You've probably seen it in the hashtag version #YOLO on Facebook pages, your Instagram account and some memes.
It is a modern exclamation of enthusiasm that has gained popularity since 2011. Adding the hashtag, #YOLO becomes a keyword search in most social networks.
This expression is the evolution of the phrase"carpe diem"(seize the moment). In modern society, YOLO is used to inspire courage and courage or to justify having done something stupid and shameful.
Try to inspire confidence, commitment and the impulsive courage that is needed to help you face your immediate fears and live in the present.
Origin of YOLO
The acronym YOLO reached its fame thanks to rapper Drake in whose song"The Motto"sings:"You only live once, that's the motto... YOLO, and we 'bout it every day, every day, every day" , That's the motto... YOLO, and we do it every day, every day, every day).
After the music video of the song came out in February 2012, the acronym YOLO spread quickly in high schools and universities both verbally and through social networks. The appeal of this acronym for youth is that it defines it at a certain level.
What is adolescence if not the adventurous and often reckless desire to test the limits of acceptable behavior? In addition, you only live once: YOLO!
However, the sentiment expressed by the acronym YOLO, was not created by Drake, but has appeared in literature since the eighteenth century.
As an example we have some lines from the novel"Clarissa"by Samuel Richardson: "We live once in this world, and when we leave, we will go forever"or the lines"one lives only once in the world"from the tragic work"Clavigo"by the German Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
We also have as an example the title of a waltz of 1855,"Man lebt nur einmal!"("You only live once!") By Johann Strauss II and the Latin phrases"memento mori"("remember that you have to die") And"carpe diem"("take advantage of the day").
The exact phrase"live only once"begins to emerge in the late nineteenth century, by 1937 it was so popular that it was used as the title of a film by Fritz Lang and in 1952 comedian Joe E. Lewis used it To create an ironic phrase:"You only live once, but if you work well, once is enough."
At the beginning of the 21st century, the acronym"YOLO"became a basic element of youth music and culture. This acronym can be seen in graffiti, hashtags, tattoos, music, television shows and merchandise.
A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida registered the"YOLO"brand to create a frozen yogurt business since 2010.
In 2013, the comedy band"The Lonely Island"released a song titled"YOLO"that parodies the phrase and the people who use it as a way of life. The media like The Washington Post and The Huffington Post describe YOLO as the"newest and silly acronym you'll love to hate."
The word has been criticized for its use in conjunction with reckless behavior, especially from a Twitter post posted by aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness just before his death describing being drunk driving at a speed of 193 km / H:"Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #FuckIt YOLO"(Drunk driving 120 drifting).
In the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live on January 19, 2014, Drake apologized for the unpleasant adoption of the phrase's culture, saying that he had no idea that it would affect society as much.
At present, the phrase YOLO is used as a carefree reply to explain an impulsive choice:"- Do you want to park illegally in this place? - YOLO!""- Should I buy these shoes or pay rent? - YOLO!
This phrase has also become a verb: "Every time I go home after a YOLO-ing night, I long for a delicious slice of pizza to soak up the alcohol and help me sober up." However, in recent years teenagers use the phrase YOLO only as an absolute justification for doing something dangerous or harmful.
YOLO use examples
Girl: So, the two of us have decided to bungee jumping this weekend at the indoor water park.
Boy: What? Are you crazy?
Girl: - YOLO!
Boy: - Awesome! I wish I was brave enough to do that!
User 1: - There is a zip line in Las Vegas that I want to try. Travel through 8 blocks on Fremont Street.
User 2: - What? Hanging on a cable?
User 1: - Yes, see a demo in this video.
User 2: - Friend, you're crazy, I would never do that
User 1: - YOLO!
Emma: - OK, this is really weird, but Kevin and I are going to make the spicy frypot challenge this weekend. The children challenged us!
Joel: - What is the challenge of spicy potato chips?
Mario: - My God, are you going to do that? I saw a video about that challenge and whoever touches the spicy fried potato, it really will itch.
Emma: - Haha, YOLO! We have to do it, Sean's parents did it last week and our kids will not leave us alone until we do.
Greg: - Can you believe Samantha invited me to a step class tonight?
Alex: - I do not see anything bad about it, I assure you, it will be a great training.
Greg: Ummm, YOLO, do you think? If I get vomited during class I'm going to blame you guys for putting those ideas in Samantha's mind.
References
- Gil P. What is YOLO? What does YOLO mean? (2017). Retrieved from: www.lifewire.com
- Gold J. What do YOLO and FOMO mean for millennials' retirement planning? (2014). Retrieved from: huffingtonpost.com.
- Hodgson C. Ed Miliband discovers what YOLO means (2015). Retrieved from: cosmopolitan.com.
- Judkis M. #YOLO: The newest acronym you'll love to hate (2012). Retrieved from: washingtonpost.com.
- Sivasubramanian S. Reincarnation explained: YOLO means so much more to a Hindu (2017). Retrieved from: sbs.com.au
- Walsh M. YOLO: The evolution of the acronym (2012). Retrieved from: huffingtonpost.com.
- Zimmer B. What is YOLO? Only teenagers know for sure (2012). Retrieved from: bostonglobe.com.