Tag: trending

Oxford’s 2025 Word of the Year Is “Rage Bait”

Oxford English Dictionary just dropped its Word of the Year, and by definition, it’s infuriating.

If you’ve spent more than 10 seconds on any social media app or news site (or in the comments section of either), you’ve experienced it: rage bait.

What is “rage bait”?

Oxford’s definition is “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account.” In other words, it’s the reason you can’t scroll through your feed for five minutes without wanting to throw your phone into the sea.

An old term that got trendy

Oxford says use of the term “rage bait” tripled in 2025 even though it’s not exactly new. The first known use dates all the way back to 2002, when someone used it on an internet forum to describe the pure fury of getting tailgated on the highway. That’s right, rage bait existed before Twitter, TikTok, or even Facebook – it just used to happen in traffic instead of on your For You page.

The announcement is rage bait for grammar nerds

Funny enough, the selection of “rage bait” itself has some people enraged. Grammar sticklers are melting down over the fact that Oxford’s “word” of the year is technically two words. (You can almost hear the collective sound of a thousand red pens snapping in half.)

We only have ourselves to blame

Rage bait exists because it works. Social media algorithms thrive on outrage, and nothing spreads faster than a post that makes you mad enough to comment, “You’re an idiot” or “This is why society is doomed.”

Oxford’s team says they chose “rage bait” because it perfectly captures “the public mood and online discourse” this year – which, let’s be honest, has been a chaotic mix of dunking, doomscrolling, and deep sighs.

So the next time you’re tempted to click on a headline that makes your blood pressure spike, remember… “It’s a trap!“

Erewhon Is Selling a Toothpaste Smoothie

If you’ve ever sipped a smoothie and thought, “Needs more toothpaste,” well, Erewhon has answered your oddly specific dreams.

The ultra-trendy Los Angeles grocery chain known for selling blueberries that cost more than a tank of gas is back in the spotlight with their latest bizarre-but-somehow-still-kind-of-intriguing creation: the Toothpaste Smoothie.

Officially named the Mint Condition Smile Smoothie, it’s available all November at Erewhon cafés and is turning heads for obvious reasons.

No, it doesn’t really have toothpaste in it

Despite the hype, it doesn’t really contain toothpaste (phew). Instead, it’s “inspired” by one – specifically, a flavor from the high-end dental brand Boka called Ela Mint.

What’s actually in it?

What’s in it, besides viral potential? The $11 drink blends together mint, banana, mango, coconut, and blue spirulina. So it tastes less like a dentist’s office and more like a tropical vacation with a polite burst of freshness. According to Boka’s marketing director, the idea “might sound unusual, but that’s what made it so fun to create.” Of course it did.

If you’re a member of Erewhon’s $100-a-year loyalty program, you can even try it for free. Which is either a great perk or an elaborate prank, depending on your taste in smoothies and sense of irony.

Tastes better than it sounds?

Social media reactions range from “Honestly looks kinda good?” to “LA has gone too far.” And maybe that’s the point. Erewhon’s whole brand is built on that tightrope between luxury wellness and low-key chaos. A smoothie that reminds you of brushing your teeth feels perfectly on-brand.

Would you try it? Or would you rather just drink a regular smoothie and, you know, brush your teeth like a normal person?

Either way, LA’s fanciest grocery store continues to prove one thing: in the right zip code, everything can be a lifestyle flex – even your breakfast beverage.

What’s the Right Way to Peel a Banana?

Turns out, there’s more than one way to peel a banana — and Americans are split on the matter. A recent poll sparked an online debate by asking a surprisingly simple question: Which end do you open a banana from?

For most people, the answer is the stem.

In fact, 72% of respondents said they open bananas from the stem end, which many consider the “normal” method.

But 20% said they go for the other end, what many call the bottom. Another 8% weren’t even sure which way they do it.

Interestingly, age seems to play a role in peel preference. Younger adults are more likely to open bananas from the bottom, with around 24% saying they do so — compared to only 18% of older adults. And here’s where things get even more curious: bottom-peeling is actually how monkeys do it. It may be cleaner and easier, especially when the banana is ripe. Pinching the non-stem end near the seam lets the peel fall away with less struggle and fewer mushy results.

While we’re on the topic of banana etiquette, here’s another debate: is it okay to break apart a bunch of bananas when grocery shopping?

Most people (57%) say yes, pull away! But nearly a third (31%) think it’s bad form, and 12% are unsure. Once again, younger shoppers are more relaxed about it than older generations.

And what about ripeness? When it comes to color, the ideal banana is bright yellow for 54% of people. Another 21% prefer theirs slightly underripe with a hint of green, while 15% like them speckled with brown. Only 4% want their bananas mostly green, and zero percent reported enjoying them fully brown.

Whether you’re a bottom-peeler or a bunch-breaker, one thing’s clear: Americans have opinions about bananas.

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