Have you noticed something “off” about the internet lately? You’re not imagining it.

If you’ve been scrolling through social media and thought, “Wait, did a real person actually write this?”—you’re onto something. Merriam-Webster just announced their 2025 Word of the Year, and it perfectly captures what’s been bugging us all: “slop.”

What Exactly Is “Slop”?

No, we’re not talking about what you feed the pigs at the county fair. Merriam-Webster defines “slop” as “digital content of low quality that is produced… usually in quantity… by means of artificial intelligence.”

Think about it: that weirdly generic article about “10 Tips for Busy Moms” that somehow says nothing useful. That viral video your uncle shared of a grandma sledding into a fence that looks just a little too perfect (and too fake). The recipe blog post that takes 2,000 words to tell you how to make toast. That’s A.I. slop.

Why This Matters to You (Yes, Really)

As working moms juggling careers, carpools, and everything in between, we’re already short on time. The last thing we need is to waste precious minutes reading low-quality content that was churned out by a robot in seconds.

Here’s the problem: A.I.-generated content has become so cheap and easy to produce that it’s absolutely everywhere now. And it’s not just annoying—it’s filled with botched facts, misleading information, and zero actual human experience or expertise.

When you’re trying to find real advice about helping your daughter with her Girl Scout project or searching for quick dinner ideas after a long day, you deserve better than slop.

Merriam-Webster Isn’t Holding Back

What we love about this choice? Merriam-Webster is basically trolling artificial intelligence. They explain that “slop” manages to sum up the entire problem in just four letters, and it gives us a fun way to mock A.I.’s shortcomings.

As they put it: “The word sends a little message to A.I.: When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes you DON’T seem too super-intelligent.”

Boom. Roasted.

Other Words That Almost Made the Cut

Merriam-Webster’s shortlist for 2025 included some other notable contenders:

• “Gerrymander” (hello, election year)
• “Touch grass” (the internet’s favorite way to tell someone to go outside)
• “Performative” (we’ve all seen that social media post)
• “Tariff” (it’s been in the news a lot)

Meanwhile, Dictionary.com crowned “six seven” as their word of the year, showing just how much sports and culture intersect in our everyday language.

The Takeaway for Elkhart County Families

Next time you’re reading something online and it feels… off? Trust your gut. Ask yourself: “Is this slop?” If the answer is yes, keep scrolling until you find content created by actual humans with real experience.

At Froggy 102.7, we’re committed to bringing you authentic content, real conversations, and genuine connections with our Michiana community. No slop here—just real people sharing real stories.

What’s your take? Have you noticed more low-quality content online this year? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or during The Zach Attack weekdays from 2-7pm!

Fun fact: Merriam-Webster also gave a shout-out to a New England lake featured in the Roblox game “Spelling Bee.” Try saying this five times fast: Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. (We’ll stick with “Lake Webster” for short!)