Based
what it means
Praise for conviction rather than correctness — you can call something based while disagreeing with it. Its politics depend heavily on who's using it.
Admirably willing to say what you think regardless of who disapproves.
the origin story
Coined in its current sense by rapper Lil B in the early 2010s, who reclaimed "based" from an insult into a compliment about being yourself.
Lil B's version meant positive and unashamed. Imageboards later narrowed it toward political contrarianism, and it now carries both senses at once — "based" from a stranger online tells you as much about them as about the take.
in the wild
I've never once enjoyed a work social.
Based.
He told the whole meeting the plan was bad.
Based and honest.
how to use it
- Praising someone for saying something unpopular but honest
- Casual banter
- Discussing internet vocabulary
- Without awareness of its political baggage in some communities
- In professional writing
- As a shield for saying something deliberately offensive
related terms
receipts
Community feedback
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