epic fail
What does epic fail mean?
A spectacularly bad mistake or failure — one so complete, public, or badly timed that it loops back around to being funny. Used as a standalone reaction to a video, screenshot, or story of something going hilariously wrong.
Origin
Grew out of early-2000s gaming and forum culture as an intensified form of "fail", then exploded through image-macro and "FAIL" meme sites in the late 2000s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "epic fail" mean?
A spectacularly bad mistake or failure — one so complete, public, or badly timed that it loops back around to being funny. Used as a standalone reaction to a video, screenshot, or story of something going hilariously wrong.
How do you use "epic fail" in a sentence?
For example: "He spent an hour making the perfect proposal sign, then spelled her name wrong on camera — epic fail."
Where does "epic fail" come from?
Grew out of early-2000s gaming and forum culture as an intensified form of "fail", then exploded through image-macro and "FAIL" meme sites in the late 2000s. It's generally dated to around 2003.
Is "epic fail" internet slang?
Yes — "epic fail" is classed as internet slang on FreeDict. A spectacularly bad mistake or failure — one so complete, public, or badly timed that it loops back around to being funny. Used as a standalone reaction to a video, screenshot, or story of something going hilariously wrong.