The 40 Biggest Pop Culture Terms From 2014

The absurdly cute Target employee who became famous completely unbeknownst to him, when a random teen shared a picture of him that promptly went viral. He then totally went with the flow.

The official, trademarked catchphrase of Matthew McConaughey. Not only did Matthew utter it many times during 2014's award season, but a large crop of celebrities have used the phrase while doing their best impressions of him.

See also: McConaissance

A term used by one person to refer to his or her significant other. Sometimes thought to derive from the acronym "before anyone else."

A term used to refer to individuals who enjoy simpler pleasures in life. There are many signs you're a basic b*tch. These include, but are not limited to, pumpkin spice lattes, romantic comedies, and nail art.

A focal point on the female body that, until recently, was not addressed in mainstream popular culture, but has, nonetheless, been around since the beginning of time.

See also: Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda," Jennifer Lopez's "Booty" video

A declaration used to simulate the engine of a running automobile. The girl who first uttered the words in the above Vine has since become famous on Tumblr and other social networking sites.

The act of asking the world for money to fund projects in exchange for silly things, like producer credits, mashed potatoes, etc. It has since been used for more and more useless goals, such as paying Uber bills.

The title of a popular Jimmy Fallon skit, it's an exclamation used to refer both to something inherently abhorrent and inherently pleasurable.

Ex. "I get to see One Direction tomorrow! Ew!"
Ex. "I have so much homework to do tonight. Ew!"

A term commonly thought by a great many individuals to mean "a person who loves women and hates men," but actually means "a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes," as the popular Beyoncé song "***Flawless" isn't afraid to point out.

How Beyoncé wakes up.

See also: feminist

A phrase used by Shia LaBeouf to achieve exactly the opposite of the sentiment it expresses.

Related: #IMSOSORRY, #METAMARATHON

A term of endearment used by teenagers, including Lorde, to express admiration and adoration.

Ex. "@taylorswift13 mom notice me"

An alternate use of "on point."

Ex. "Hot damn. Emma Watson's eyebrows are on fleek."

An era of ridiculously unprecedented and chilling temperatures across the United States.

To tell someone the truth about themselves, often in the most brutal way possible.

Ex. When Gabourey Sidibe tweeted at all the body critics after the Golden Globes, she was basically reading all her haters at once.

The location of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which were filled with puppies, an unimpressed Ashley Wagner — who made the above face when she felt she was scored unfairly — and a fake wolf.

While the term was coined in late 2013 with the release of Beyoncé's surprise album, Beyoncé, it experienced wide usage throughout the duration of 2014. The lyric in question goes as follows: "Then I fill the tub up halfway then ride it with my serfbort." Many individuals have appropriated the term to reference partying, or "turning up."

See also: turn up

The US Men's National Team goalie who was unofficially appointed the new US Secretary of Defense, since his World Cup blocking skills were so proficient.

Ex. "Tim Howard wore army pants and flip flops so I wore army pants and flip flops."

A declaration used to express extreme approval.

Ex. "Yassss, Gaga! Yasss! You look so good!"