Internet
karen
What does karen mean?
A meme archetype for an entitled, complaining person, classically a middle-aged woman who throws a fit over minor issues and demands to speak to the manager.
"A Karen held up the whole line yelling about a coupon."
Origin
The "Karen" meme grew on Reddit and Twitter in the late 2010s, exploding around 2020, using the name as shorthand for an entitled, manager-demanding stereotype. Its exact spark is debated.
Frequently asked questions
What does Karen mean as slang?
Karen is a meme stereotype for an entitled, demanding person — often a middle-aged woman who wants to "speak to the manager."
Where did the Karen meme come from?
It grew on Reddit and Twitter in the late 2010s and exploded around 2020, with a debated exact origin.
Is calling someone a Karen offensive?
It's debated — some see it as calling out entitlement, others argue it can be ageist or sexist.
How do you use Karen in a sentence?
For example: "she went full Karen" — meaning she acted entitled and demanding.
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