YOLO means "You Only Live Once" (you only live once). It is an acronym that is often used as a hashtag (#YOLO) on Facebook, on Instagram and in some memes. It is used to convey that life is short, that you have to take advantage of it because you only live once.
It's a modern exclamation of excitement that has been popular since 2011. Adding the hashtag makes #YOLO a search keyword on most social media sites.
This expression is the evolution of the phrase "carpe diem" (seize the moment). In modern society, YOLO is used to inspire courage and bravery or to justify doing something stupid and shameful.
Try to incite confidence, commitment, and the impulsive courage it takes to help you face your immediate fears and live in the present.
Origin of YOLO
The acronym YOLO was made famous by rapper Drake in whose song "The Motto" he sings:
“You only live once, that's the motto… YOLO, and we 'bout it every day, every day, every day” (You only live once, that's the motto… YOLO, and we do it every day, every day, everyday).
After the music video for the song came out in February 2012, the acronym YOLO quickly spread in high schools and colleges both verbally and through social media. The appeal of this acronym to youth is that it defines youth on a certain level.
What is adolescence if not the adventurous and often reckless desire to test the limits of acceptable behavior? Also, 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 18th century.
As an example we have some lines from the novel "Clarissa" by Samuel Richardson:
"We live only 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 from 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" ("seize the day").
The exact phrase "you only live once" began to emerge in the late nineteenth century, by 1937 it was so popular that it was used as the title of a Fritz Lang film and in 1952 the 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 staple 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" trademark 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 lifestyle.
News outlets like The Washington Post and The Huffington Post describe YOLO as the "newest and dumbest acronym you'll love to hate."
The word has come under fire for its use in conjunction with reckless behavior, most notably from a Twitter post posted by aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness just before his death that described driving drunk at a speed of 120 miles / 193 km. h:
"Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #FuckIt YOLO" (Drunk at the wheel 120 adrift).
In the opening monologue to Saturday Night Live on January 19, 2014, Drake apologized for the culture's disgusting adoption of the phrase, saying he had no idea that it would affect society so much.
Today, the phrase YOLO is used as a nonchalant 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 sentence has also become a verb: "Every time I come home from a night of YOLO-ing, 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 usage examples
Girl: - Two of us have decided to parachute this weekend.
Boy: - What? You are 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 8 blocks on Fremont Street.
User 2: - What? Hanging from a wire?
User 1: - Yes, see a demo in this video.
User 2: - Dude, you are crazy, I would never do that
User 1: - YOLO!
Emma: - OK, this is really weird, but Kevin and I are doing the spicy potato chip challenge this weekend.
Joel: - What is the spicy potato chip challenge?
Mario: - By God, are you going to do that? I saw a video about that challenge and whoever gets the spicy fry is really going to bite.
Emma: - Hahaha, YOLO! We have to do it.
Greg: - Can you think Samantha invited me to a step class tonight?
Alex: - I don't see anything wrong with it, I assure you, it will be a great workout.
Greg: - Ummm, YOLO, do you think?
Other expressions used in social networks
Forever alone.
GPI.
LOL.
Turn down for what.
7U7.
References
- Gil P. What is YOLO? What does YOLO mean? (2017). Recovered from: www.lifewire.com
- Gold J. What do YOLO and FOMO mean for millennials' retirement planning? (2014). Recovered from: huffingtonpost.com.
- Hodgson C. Ed Milband discovers what YOLO means (2015). Recovered from: cosmopolitan.com.
- Judkis M. #YOLO: The newest acronym you'll love to hate (2012). Recovered from: washingtonpost.com.
- Sivasubramanian S. Reincarnation explained: YOLO means so much more to a Hindu (2017). Recovered from: sbs.com.au.
- Walsh M. YOLO: The evolution of the acronym (2012). Recovered from: huffingtonpost.com.
- Zimmer B. What is YOLO? Only teenagers know for sure (2012). Recovered from: bostonglobe.com.