In a 2010 interview with Complex, the Bay Area native explained that “based” didn’t always have a positive connotation-far from it. The term “based” dates back more than a decade when Lil B started using it on social media. It’s similar to saying “facts” or “straight-up” after hearing something you agree with. For example, if you saw a tweet that said “Toilet paper is for suckers,” you could simply reply “based.” In addition to being used as an adjective, “based” can also be used as an affirmative statement to show agreement. You can think of a “based” person along the same lines as being “a real one.” They won’t change their style, opinions, or values-no matter how unpopular they may be. In the context of internet discourse, calling someone “based” basically means the person is courageous, original, and unaffected by common culture. Let’s do a deeper dive into what based actually means, how the term originated, and whether you can use it on social media without getting any backlash.

However, as with all internet lingo, the word-based has been co-opted for what some may call nefarious reasons. In short, being “based” means staying true to yourself and not letting other people’s opinions shape your personality-even if those opinions are fashionable at the time. Internet slang terms come and go like the seasons, but some remain relevant for years. It seems like every time you scroll through social media, there’s a new meme or phrase to catch onto ASAP, lest you become exiled from online discourse.

What does based mean