Tell this GenX/Old-lennial person, what does it mean when a young person says you are based?
Posted by Tricky_Hold230@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 166 comments
Been hearing the term being floated about so instead of doing the old person thing of going on Google I decided to come here
foodweneedfood@reddit
It means you’re groovy.
HHI29910@reddit
What does it mean when a kid gives you a reverse peace sign. Is it positive or a diss
Johnny_Radar@reddit
In England it’s the equivalent of the bird
tandem_kayak@reddit
Wait, how is it reversed? Like is it pointing down?
Johnny_Radar@reddit
mltrout715@reddit
Don’t know. Don’t care
boston_homo@reddit
After reading the comments in this thread, I’m convinced no one knows what it means.
Beneficial_Law_5720@reddit
Ok .. literally made me LOL! 😂
GenX-1973-Anhedonia@reddit
You're so not based. Or based. I don't know.
SaavikSaid@reddit
Basic
Bloody_Mabel@reddit
The first time someone said I was based was here on Reddit. I thought they made a typo and were calling me biased.
Exact-Estate7622@reddit
All this time I’ve been thinking “the young ‘uns can’t spell biased”….
MovingTarget-@reddit
At least I'm not the only one
smuttybuddy84@reddit
I am convinced that the term"ratchet" was just a poorly misspelled "wretched".
AriadneThread@reddit
Hahaha!
Mistervimes65@reddit
Based means being unabashedly yourself.
Temporary_Shirt_6236@reddit
Last summer I had my nephew and a bunch of his friends up to the lake for his 14th birthday. They're playing around in the yard, tossing Frisbees, footballs, generally having a good time.
I'm sitting by myself near the fireplace, having a beer and checking my phone. One of his buddies sits down beside and says "hey unc, just casually farming aura, huh?"
I know now what it means but at the time I didn't know if I was being negged or glazed.
CatWhisperer9thLife@reddit
I think I had a stroke on that sentence.
MrBiscotti_75@reddit
...breaks out Google translate
EnjoyingTheRide-0606@reddit
Probs means they just graduated from a college with a degree in social justice warriorism.
NaDarach@reddit
Yeah, no. It's a broad-use term.
What a weird take.
Puzzleheaded_Bad6461@reddit
also who the fuck still says social justice warrior
has bro been in a coma since gamergate?
mybluecouch@reddit
Just another Boomer trying to stealth as GenX.
Wrong sub, grumpy gramps. 🤦♀️
periodicsheep@reddit
this comment tells me pretty much anything i need to know about you.
Puzzleheaded_Bad6461@reddit
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AdditionalTip865@reddit
Or, in some cases, the extreme opposite of that.
Verried_vernacular32@reddit
Congratulations you are respected by the youth.
prntmakr@reddit
I think it would be rather based to not care what based means.
StoneGoldX@reddit
It's like the song says, it's hip to be square.
That song sucks.
Smiling_Platypus@reddit
I upvoted you for mentioning the song, then downvoted you for dissing a Huey Lewis track. 😋
StoneGoldX@reddit
I down voted you for not recognizing a Simpsons quote from 1996. Homerpalooza. Cypress Hill ordered the London Symphony Orchestra, possibly while high.
prntmakr@reddit
It’s like the other song says: “What is hip?”
Virtual_Wrongdoer788@reddit
Urban dictionary FTW
Existing-Leopard-212@reddit
How does anyone not know to use UD?
RAConteur76@reddit
Admittedly, there's a lot of entries on Urban Dictionary that are perhaps...indelicate or pungent to individuals of a certain sensibility. Me, I'm not put off by much, and Urban Dictionary has been helpful to me trying to make sense of the younger set.
Smiling_Platypus@reddit
GenX grew up with our dictionaries in BOOK form. If it's not on my shelf next to a set of encyclopedias, it ain't real. /s
loco_mixer@reddit
in the future if you have the same problem just go to "urban dictionary"
Emz423@reddit
UD is my BFF.
NostradaMart@reddit
i second this. helped me understand a lot.
THC_Dude_Abides@reddit
Comfortable in your skin and true to yourself.
SpokaneSmash@reddit
It means they agree with your take on things.
Hylebos75@reddit
It's good to be based, but even better to be goated AND based!
luluislulu2520@reddit
Wow have no idea! I would’ve thought I heard them wrong or they misspelled biased!
Nicodemus888@reddit
Based = “keepin it real”
MiltownKBs@reddit
Ok, that makes sense since people have said that to me in replies about a comment related to sports.
AdditionalTip865@reddit
It means the same thing as "right on".
Of course, being based or right on is relative to the speaker's opinions. I first heard the word being used by people whose worldview I found deeply unpleasant and that biased me against it, but I later learned it didn't originate there.
GladosPrime@reddit
Opposite of woke. Right politics.
MiltownKBs@reddit
Yes I get that meaning. But I people have responded with “based” to a comment about sports. Several times. What’s that?
SomebodysGotToSayIt@reddit
Thanks for making this about you. That’s what drew us to the comments.
GNTKertRats@reddit
Anyone who complains about “wokeness,” is not to be taken seriously, and being a right winger is most definitely not “based.”
writesgud@reddit
I want to say I’ve heard it but less frequently in a few left contexts, but could be wrong.
maxny23@reddit
All your base are belong to us.
catniphooligan@reddit
Move zig!
My GenZ never understands me when I say "are belong to us" after he says "based," but I make myself laugh so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The_Arch_Heretic@reddit
Sounds like somebody set up us the bomb!
Smiling_Platypus@reddit
As long as they aren't lighting off every zig, you're probably ok.
scottyv99@reddit
Look at me. I am the basehead now
badhoopty@reddit
it means youre legit and/or know your shit.
maybe similar to the 'solid' we used back in the day.
Firm_Objective_2661@reddit
Word.
CK_CoffeeCat@reddit
I think it’s like, you have done/spoken a thing that is both true and representative of a respectable (to the person saying ‘based’) personality of some kind? Or perhaps a true thing that not many are brave enough to say openly?
Iko87iko@reddit
Ive freebased
dontwannaparticpate@reddit
Me too out of a coke can
EnjoyingTheRide-0606@reddit
I used an apple.
ajramone@reddit
You're not acidic; congratulations!
Existing-Leopard-212@reddit
Thats basic.
vikrambedi@reddit
Ya basic.
lefty1117@reddit
It’s what we would call “dope” back in the day. You’re dope bro!
seven-cents@reddit
The opposite of "cringe"
No-Captain2150@reddit
You know what? You're right. And when you're right, you're right. And you, you're always right!
ShockedNChagrinned@reddit
Urban dictionary is pretty good here
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=based
BuckyRainbowCat@reddit
That left me with no clearer understanding of what it means. The examples actually made it less clear. Guess I must be REALLY old.
traumfisch@reddit
cool
DeepRoot@reddit
I understood it to mean "biased".
Sh0ckValu3@reddit
So, all your based do, or do not, belong to us?
Ok_Entrepreneur_8509@reddit
Move zig for great justice!
PaleEmpress414@reddit
OMG This. 🤣🤣🤣
temerairevm@reddit
Basic? That means meh.
Tricky_Hold230@reddit (OP)
No not basic, I been knowing that. In fact I been living that life lol. BASED. It’s okay my hearing is going too
temerairevm@reddit
Ahh, apparently I’m even older than you because I haven’t heard that one.
MeatierShowa@reddit
"Based" not basic.
skeeterbmark@reddit
Yes. This. Average.
Zombalepsy@reddit
Isn’t that also “mid”?
Waesrdtfyg0987@reddit
Did they call you low key based?
bradatlarge@reddit
I’m basedmaxxing over here
vanderide@reddit
We’re all baseheads!
Rivetingly@reddit
Or dead ass based?
RustyDawg37@reddit
It means you refuse to be anything but yourself.
PuffDiesel1138@reddit
As far as I know based essentially means you have strong honest opinions no matter how unpopular, controversial or non-PC.
Frosty_Ad_5472@reddit
Yes, it’s usually a compliment. Like badass.
Black_Pill_Oh@reddit
I only hear in reference to opinons that aren't politicaly correct. Usually hot take thoughts that are humorous but shitty.
NoRestForTheWitty@reddit
Check out https://www.urbandictionary.com/
Chadismydawg@reddit
It means your basic
rundabrun@reddit
It started woth Lil B The Based God. It originally meant you were a basehead aka a crack head but Lil B changed it to mean being true to yourself and not caring what others think.
Then it was taken by the inrernet to mean a few things. It was popularized on 4chan for people who were anti woke, and in other spheres it be came a word to mean cool, unapologetically anti esrablishment, or saying what people think but dont dare to say.
youve_got_moxie@reddit
u/rundabrun cooked here.
Iittletart@reddit
It means accurate. Maybe the history of what you are saying is true, but how it is used popularly is to mean a "true" or accurate conclusion or statement.
rundabrun@reddit
No maybes about it. It's true. Based today does not simply mean "true". That takes away from the vibe of it being an edgy statement. In slang, based means someone is confidently authentic, unapologetic, and unconcerned with what others think, often used as praise for boldness or honesty. It’s the opposite of being “cringe,” and it can describe both people and actions that challenge convention or show admirable conviction
FamousOnceNowNobody@reddit
So it started from 'freebase' (drug taking).
Then took from 'base' (vulgar/socially unacceptable).
Then hijacked 'based' (foundation/standing on).
Have I got that right?
deepsigh8@reddit
It’s when you’re speaking the truth and that truth also happens to be an anti conformist view/unpopular opinion.
Redfour5@reddit
Prove it...INCLUDING sources and quotes then we can have a conversation. And no AI. I Don't care how anyone "FEELS."
Romanmir@reddit
Based.
Repulsive_Fact_4558@reddit
What about if you're saying things you think are true but it's really just a bunch of horse shit? This is a lot of the "based" people I've talked to.
deepsigh8@reddit
This is what it means in my circles, at least.
1043b@reddit
Love when my kids call me based
Majik_Sheff@reddit
I usually take it as high praise.
tookMYshovelwithme@reddit
Hey Gramps! See you over at /r/Xennials
LimeSalty4092@reddit
Making a Non PC take. Making the point succinctly, implying no fear of the PC police.
Applying common sense and doing what’s right without filtering actions through the PC rulebook
ugavini@reddit
This is the context in which I normally see it being used
TheVioletEmpire@reddit
I'm so based.
User013579@reddit
I had to ask someone. It means they’re grounded. Like, being reasonable and calm. I think. Age. Memory.
Strawberry_Fields4ev@reddit
I’ve never heard that term “based” before. Thx for educating this 60 yo Gen Xer! 🤣👍🏼😊😉
Htiaf26101@reddit
I couldn’t accept this being a positive, because my mind wanted to associate it with “basic”. But I’ve since learned to associate it with drug language and now I kinda get it. 🤷♀️Whatever.
Early-Amount-9778@reddit
I read it as unintentionally or ironically validating an evolved (usually leftist) viewpoint (often when the intent was to emphasize the opposite or just something else entirely).
sauerkraut916@reddit
based = fuckin cool
KingPabloo@reddit
Why don’t you ask them what they mean when they say things like this to you. They will be happy to explain it to you, just to display their disgust at the question. 😎
T_Kt@reddit
But that’s not based
Acceptable_Mirror235@reddit
Based is good . It means they agree or you at least made a good point .
Basic is not complimentary but not really an insult either . It’s meh, mid, or just kind of generic . My pretty blond daughter is a “basic white girl” by her own admission .
InWaves72@reddit
Sounds like a sort of backhanded compliment to me, but what do I know?
CaptainBeefsteak@reddit
6 7 Bro...6 7.
abbot_x@reddit
Based has a fraught history but has evolved into a pretty non-specific term of approval. If you say something a zoomer or alpha agrees with and is not embarrassing, they will often just say based. If you do it enough, then you are based in their eyes.
The fraught history has to do with Gamergate (don't worry learning about it if you don't already know) and early adoption of based by the alt right. But nowadays the term is very common and doesn't indicate political leanings.
Criticism-Lazy@reddit
Grounded in facts.
Winter-0f-Discontent@reddit
In Gen X parlance, we would have said “hardcore”
Majik_Sheff@reddit
I would say it's more analogous to "legit".
Tricky_Hold230@reddit (OP)
Just like my favorite kind of adult entertainment
tabicat1874@reddit
It means good
Iittletart@reddit
That there is some truth or realness to what is being said, even if it is hard to hear or accept sometimes.
trullaDE@reddit
Depends who says it. It started as something bad, then was reclaimed, than turned bad again, and no people try to reclaim it again, or at least make it neutral.
Redfour5@reddit
Oh Jesus...
trullaDE@reddit
Yup.
13mys13@reddit
Based? how low can you go
CTDubs0001@reddit
Forget what the kids say. Stay true to our generation ! Public enemy number one!
CityCabCat@reddit
Death row, what a brother know?
onebeard1975@reddit
Yeah! I get this!
Formal_Plum_2285@reddit
That you stand with what you say and if a few people are hurt by it - well perhaps they should grow tf up or shut tf up. I’m known to be quite based on my gamer servers lol.
vodeodeo55@reddit
Not sure what it means but I'm definitely more acidic.
Oily_Bee@reddit
based = solid
elpollodiablox@reddit
Speaking your mind without regard for what others will think.
Starcat75@reddit
It means you’re authentic and “based” in reality.
Hab_Anagharek@reddit
Tell me how that remotely makes sense.
hyperdream@reddit
It's like, back to life? Back to reality? Back to the here and now. Yeah?
fiddlenutz@reddit
I always thought it meant sturdy, like sturdy advice, like the base of a pyramid.
But I am an old fart, so who knows.
Simply_Jeff@reddit
It means you've got the juice
general-illness@reddit
Great, now I got Eric B and Rakim in my head all day.
DrKittyKevorkian@reddit
🌽🌽🌽
L_wanderlust@reddit
AI says: If someone says “you’re based,” it’s slang and generally a compliment.
“Based” means: You’re being authentically yourself You’re confident in your opinions, even if they’re unpopular You’re not just following trends or trying to please others
Caliopebookworm@reddit
That they are who they are and make no apologies.
dudeatwork77@reddit
It means the opposite of cringe. When someone who shares your identity does something, it’s based. When your opponent does something, it’s cringe. And you depict them as a soyjak and you depict yourself as Chad. That’s how you win an argument.
Environmental-Egg893@reddit
Truthful accurate
realenuff@reddit
High on drugs (circa 85)
EmotionalVegetable48@reddit
My man JB is on free-base
HansMoleman78@reddit
The boy JB was a friend of mine...
AcanthocephalaDue715@reddit
But it ain’t free
HighSeasArchivist@reddit
That you hate Feds. Well, that's what it means in my circles.
Redfour5@reddit
GenX/Old-lennial... love it...
BuDu1013@reddit
Xennial
Consistent__Patience@reddit
When you hear someone say something is based, it's generally internet slang to say it's good.
Starbreiz@reddit
I thought it was this, but ive had it used on me as an insult too, like what I said was overly obvious. I find it confusing.
Tricky_Hold230@reddit (OP)
Hey cool a compliment from a younger generation I don’t know how to feel about that lol
ImaSource@reddit
Always feel good about being based. No Cap. Skibidi. 6/7.
VinceP312@reddit
Making what they consider to be a common sense statement or an obvious one.
In contradiction what they would consider a completely bonkers take or some statement being made that is politically/emotionally/manipulatively contrived and that no rational person would agree with.
Juanfartez@reddit
When you agree with the person that's trolling someone else online, you comment based.
Taskerst@reddit
Respect
tigers692@reddit
One of my kids friends told me this when someone told me “you know what I think” and I said “nope, and I don’t care”. I wasn’t upset, didn’t yell or nothing, it was just something I didn’t care about and I walked away.
the_answer_is_RUSH@reddit
https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=based+slang
Alarmed-Range-3314@reddit
Like saying facts, or right on.
karast@reddit
You’re keeping it real
Mededitor@reddit
Roughly synonymous with “grounded.”
AggravatingPie710@reddit
I don’t know, and I don’t care