twitchfork

twitchfork
n.
An angry or aggressive protest on Twitter, particularly one seeking justice or vengeance. [Twitter + pitchfork.]
—twitchfork mob n.
Example Citations:
Local and international firms must take great care to avoid using advertising that projects racial stereotypes or racism. Even if these offenses result from innocent mistakes, image problems can spread fast, especially in a world of angry Twitter mobs wielding "twitchforks" around the clock.
—Adam Wooten, " International Business: Racial stereotypes make marketing messages backfire: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705398171/Racial-stereotypes-make-marketing-messages-backfire.html?pg=all," Deseret News, January 27, 2012
The Internet has been good at spawning neologisms. One that is particularly indicative of the times is "twitchfork mob:" a group of people using Twitter to protest, harangue, or expose people they don't like or agree with. In 2011, after the British High Court barred media from revealing the identity of a soccer player who had an extra-marital affair, over 70,000 people took to Twitter to name and shame the sportsman.
—Luke Allnitt, " Digital Vertigo: http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2012/0530/Digital-Vertigo," The Christian Science Monitor, May 30, 2012
Earliest Citation:
Tweeple! Its time to get our twikes and twitchforks! The Times basically calls us narcissistic asses!
—Narayan (\@rockus), Update: https://twitter.com/rockus/status/1240377137, Twitter, February 23, 2009
Notes: Related Words: Categories:

New words. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Activism — actorvist astroturf BANANA billboard liberation black fax carrotmob CAVEs celeb …   New words

  • Anger and Anxiety — afflufemza agonism air rage alpha girl amygdala hijack anti fan arsenic hour bikelash …   New words

  • Social Networking — altmetrics bashtag datasexual death tweet defriend diarrheaist fakester FOMO …   New words

  • Twitterverse — n. The Twitter social networking service and the people who use it. Also: twitterverse, Twitter verse. [Blend of Twitter and universe.] Example Citations: The Twitterverse is expanding. Twitter, that microblogging tool that caught on with teens… …   New words

  • bashtag — n. The use of a corporation s Twitter hashtag to bash the company s products. v. Example Citations: Here s a cautionary tale for the corporate social media consultants of the world. Last week, McDonald s launched a Twitter campaign using the… …   New words

  • death tweet — n. A death threat written as a Twitter update. death tweeter n. Example Citations: Vermont comedian Chris King was arrested Oct. 8 for tweeting: I am dying inside. And I am plainly stating to you that I am going to kill the president. Such death… …   New words

  • go postal — v. To become extremely angry, possibly to the point of violence. going postal pp. Example Citations: People in domestic disputes get crazy. When kids and spouses are at stake, folks go postal, grab knives, get looney. Fred Reed, A domestic… …   New words

  • hashtag activism — n. Activism that uses a Twitter hashtag to promote a project or cause, particularly when it requires no other action from people. hashtag activist n. Example Citations: The advent of hashtag activism has been greeted with breathless claims about… …   New words

  • prevenge — (pree.VENJ) n. Revenge taken in advance of an expected harm. Example Citations: Can you tell that I m planning prevenge? Read my mind, yes, I m planning prevenge At the freak show, in the front row, mi amigo, lost in the sound. They Might Be… …   New words

  • torch-and-pitchfork — adj. Relating to an angry, unruly mob, particularly one seeking vengeance. Also: torches and pitchforks; fiery torches and pitchforks. Example Citations: Before the game was over, the howls had begun. That Delhomme was able to walk out of the… …   New words

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”