Coined by Inverse

Coined is the Inverse guide to the language of video game culture.

Video game terms have crept into mainstream media, politics, sports, cooking, and pop music. Coined explains how.

Coined
How a simple video game mechanic became esports’ most controversial insult
Danny Paez

"Teabagging"

Coined
How a ‘90s video game magazine inspired the internet's best joke
Danny Paez

"ProTips"

Coined
Ludonarrative dissonance meaning: 'The Last of Us 2' and the 'NYTimes'
Danny Paez

"Ludonarrative dissonance"

Coined
QQ meaning in gaming: How a 'Warcraft' shortcut became a brutal insult
Danny Paez

(Q_Q)

Coined
How a vintage video game cheat code became a universal brag
Danny Paez
Going God Mode isn't just for gamers.
Coined
Smurfing meaning in gaming: How an annoying strategy became a viral meme
Danny Paez
Smurf you.
Coined
Hanzo main: How an unpopular video game character became a political insult
Danny Paez
Overwatch and politics have more in common than you might think.
Coined
Sidequest meaning: How a video game chore became a cinematic storytelling technique
Danny Paez
Pssst. Hey you...over here!
Coined
How a 'World of Warcraft' meme became a lazy political joke
Danny Paez
LEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEENKIIIIIIIINS!!!!!!!
Coined
How "GG" became the most sarcastic dig on the internet
Danny Paez
GG EZ.
Coined
NPC meaning: How a universal game design concept became an alt-right insult
Danny Paez
NPCs went from video game standby to political insult, but their origins are deeper than you might expect and their future is far bigger than online trolls.
COINED
What does "tank" mean in video games? It depends what you're playing
Danny Paez
Every Cloud needs his Barret
Coined
One controversial gaming term explains the popularity of 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'
Danny Paez
Get to farming!
COINED
Critical Hit! From D&D to Pokémon, tracing the origins of the gaming phrase
Danny Paez
Tracing the term's origins, from D&D to Pokémon.
Coined
“PWNED” meaning: The definition behind the internet's favorite hacker slang
Danny Paez
If you use the internet, you’ve probably been pwned before.
Coined
Coined: How “speedrunning” became an Olympic-level gaming competition
Danny Paez
Gotta go fast.
Coined
Wombo Combo: How a little-known pizza order created an undying YouTube meme
Danny Paez
"Wombo Combo" has taken on a life of its own. Here's where it all began.
Coined
How “rage quit” became the most relatable gamer emotion
Danny Paez
We've all been there.
Coined
How “n00b” became the nicest way to be mean online
Danny Paez
There's nothing new about this popular internet slang.
Coined
Coined: How “rekt” went from obscure insult to gaming's trash talk of choice
Danny Paez
Get rekt, kid.