YOLO (aphorism) explained

"YOLO" is an acronym for "you only live once". It became a popular internet slang term in 2012.[1] It expresses the view that one should make the most of the present moment and not worry excessively about possible consequences.[2]

Emergence of acronym

While the phrase and sentiment date back decades according to Oxford University Press, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and wife Caryl Orbach used the acronym to name their ranch prior to 1996, citing "[their] whole mindset at the time."[3]

Adam Mesh, a contestant on the reality TV series Average Joe, produced and sold a line of YOLO-branded clothing and accessories in the early 2000s.[4]

In 2012, the phrase was a subject of graffiti,[5] [6] [7] [8] hashtags on Twitter,[9] pranks,[10] [11] tattoos,[12] music, television shows and merchandise.[13]

The acronym was popularized by Canadian rapper Drake, who planned to release a 2011 joint mixtape titled YOLO along with American rapper Rick Ross.[14] To promote this mixtape, "YOLO" was mentioned prominently on several of their tracks such as "The Motto", released on November 29, 2011, with the aim of promoting the tape. This use is said to have elevated the word into prominence and common colloquial use.[15] In late 2012, Drake expressed a desire to obtain royalties for use of "YOLO" due to the proliferation of merchandise bearing the phrase and lyrics from his song, which have been commonly seen at stores such as Walgreens and Macy's, but he does not own a trademark on the word.[13] [16]

Hip-hop magazine Da South reported that the rapper Lecrae has deconstructed the phrase "YOLO" in his 2012 song "No Regrets".[17]

In the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live on January 19, 2014, Drake apologized about pop culture's adoption of the phrase, saying he had no idea it would become so big.[18]

In popular culture

A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has held a trademark to the phrase "YOLO" in the context of the frozen yogurt business since 2010.[16] [19]

American comedy trio The Lonely Island released a 2013 song titled "YOLO", featuring Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar, parodying the phrase and the people who use it as a lifestyle meme. The song charted in a few countries, including #60 on the Billboard Hot 100.[20]

During the January 2021 GameStop short squeeze members of Reddit's WallStreetBets—often touted their long-shot wagers against short-selling hedgefunds with the expression "YOLO".[21]

Reception

Online media including The Washington Post and The Huffington Post described YOLO in 2012 as the "newest acronym you'll love to hate"[22] and "dumb".[23] The word was criticized for its use in conjunction with reckless behavior, most notably in a Twitter post by aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness just prior to his death, caused by driving drunk at : "Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #FuckIt YOLO."[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zac Efron Adopts Drake's 'YOLO' Motto, as Does Souljaboy. Roberts. Soraya. December 16, 2011. Yahoo! OMG! CA. November 8, 2012.
  2. Web site: Wiktionary.
  3. Web site: Bereznak . Alyssa . An Oral History of YOLO, the Word That Lived Too Long . Vanity Fair . 28 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150214081144/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/02/oral-history-yolo-mickey-hart . live . 14 February 2015 . 5 February 2013.
  4. Bereznak. Alyssa. An Oral History of YOLO, the Word That Lived Too Long. 2021-02-23. Vanity Fair. 5 February 2013 . en-us.
  5. News: Swanson . Mirjam . Track and Field: Mitchells making most of it . Press-Enterprise . May 18, 2012 . October 10, 2012 . October 29, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201159/http://www.pe.com/sports/high-school/hsg-schools/hsg-headlines/20120518-track-and-field-mitchells-making-most-of-it.ece . dead .
  6. Web site: Class of 2012 calls it a year . https://web.archive.org/web/20120608092909/http://www.madison-press.com/news/local-news/class-2012-calls-year/ . June 8, 2012 . The Madison Press . March 3, 2013 . Dye. Kevin.
  7. Web site: Express-Times File Photo. Clinton Police: Two Men Spray-Paint Profanity, 'YOLO' on Town Structures . Lehigh Valley. 2012-05-29. October 10, 2012.
  8. Web site: Middle School Boys Accused of Spray-Painting Homes, Destroying Water Fountain . 10tv.com . May 31, 2012 . October 10, 2012 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053221/http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2012/05/31/grove-city-middle-school-aged-boys-charged-vandalism.html . dead .
  9. Web site: Parents, Students: Hoffman Estates School Overreacted To Senior Prank. CBS Chicago. June 1, 2012 . October 10, 2012.
  10. Web site: Wright . Sharon. Student Arrested Following Conant High School Senior Prank . NBC Chicago . June 1, 2012 . October 10, 2012.
  11. Web site: Students Lose Prom, Graduation Privileges After Senior Prank . DailyHerald.com . January 6, 2012 . October 10, 2012.
  12. Web site: Zac Efron Tat-Tat-Tatted Up!. 2011-12-16. 2012-06-02. 2015-07-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20150711154902/http://perezhilton.com/2011-12-16-zac-efron-yolo-tattoo#.T2pL2tkyGSo. dead.
  13. Web site: Drake Wants Royalties for "YOLO" . XXL Magazine . December 5, 2012 . March 3, 2013 . Diep . Eric.
  14. Web site: Drake Won't Name Rick Ross Mixtape "YOLO," Calls Phrase "Epidemic" . Fuse . June 12, 2012 . November 8, 2012.
  15. Web site: Roberts. Soraya . Zac Efron Adopts Drake's 'YOLO' Motto, as Does Souljaboy . Yahoo! OMG! CA . December 16, 2011 . November 8, 2012.
  16. Web site: We Have Some Bad News For Drake Regarding The YOLO Wars . Uproxx.com . January 6, 2013 . March 3, 2013 . Burns . Ashley.
  17. Web site: Lecrae - Church Clothes: DaSouth.com. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130524093801/http://www.dasouth.com/reviews/9266-lecrae-church-clothes . May 24, 2013 . Hill. Kellus. May 14, 2012. Da South. July 10, 2015.
  18. Web site: dead . Hosted by Drake . SNL . Drake's SNL Intro . Gossip Cop . January 28, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202175546/http://www.gossipcop.com/drake-snl-monologue-jewish-black-bar-mitzvah-video-2014-sasheer-zamata-debut-saturday-night-live-watch/ . February 2, 2014 .
  19. Web site: YOLO . USPTO.report . Jan 9, 2020.
  20. Web site: YOLO (feat. Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar) – Single . iTunes . January 27, 2013 . December 31, 2014.
  21. News: Pellejero . Sebastian . Quiroz-Gutierrez . Marco . MARKETS BlackBerry, AMC and Other Reddit YOLO Favorites That Aren't GameStop . . 2021-01-26 . 2021-01-28 .
  22. Web site:
    1. YOLO: The Newest Acronym You'll Love to Hate
    . Judkis. Maura. April 6, 2012. Washington Post Style Blog. dead. October 10, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121010081318/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/yolo-the-newest-abbreviation-youll-love-to-hate/2012/04/06/gIQA3QE2zS_blog.html. October 10, 2012.
  23. News: Walsh. Megan. YOLO: The Evolution of the Acronym. Huffington Post. May 17, 2012. The Black Sheep Online.
  24. News: Lupkin. Sydney. Young Adults Tweet #YOLO When They Don't Study, Get Drunk or Drive Too Fast. December 29, 2012. ABC News. December 21, 2012.

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