A Basic Bitch
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A Basic Bitch
*First Published: Dec 12, 2016, 9:00 am CST
More stories to check out before you go
Photo via Normana Karia / Shutterstock
Remix by Jason Reed
Posted on Dec 12, 2016 Updated on May 25, 2021, 10:00 am CDT
The coined nickname “basic bitch” has been floating around common banter for a while now, and is generally used as an insult toward someone we all know and are hesitant to actually interact with in public. The identity of this specific specimen is difficult to pinpoint at times, but if dressed the part, they could easily be spotted a mile away.
Basic bitch starter pack pic.twitter.com/X1yDs7ZGyn
A basic bitch has been portrayed in many forms and fashions in movies, television, and literature, shining in all her glory. The most popular recent depictions can be seen in popular girl groups from movies like Mean Girls , Clueless , and Crossroads . Although the term can be coined as sexist or just plain rude, it shouldn’t be offensive unless the person receiving the nickname is insecure in their pick for the best spot to eat dinner based on the meal’s Instagram potential.
Urban Dictionary (aka the bible of bluntly identifying this generation’s popular slang) defines a basic bitch as someone who engages in unoriginal behaviors, modes of dress, topics of conversation, and interests. This person thinks that they are a perfect catch but in reality they wouldn’t even create a spark of interest from someone who partakes in other activities besides melting into the status quo of a mainstream agenda.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p2ZafaDvCG/
While engaged in conversation, a basic bitch can typically be recognized off the bat. They love to abbreviate all words like “omg” and “totes,” and actually says hashtag out loud. “throwback Thursdays” are their time to shine the light on their high school photos that actually look average, and Sundays are when their best-self comes to life after a few grapefruit mimosas with a side of eggs benny during brunch.
There are a lot of stereotypical images of a basic bitch, which can be unfair at times since we all catch ourselves enjoying a cup of pumpkin spice flavored creamer with a splash of coffee, or jamming out to the new Chainsmokers radio single. Even if that’s not the case, a basic bitch is your normal, average working lady who you pass in the halls of Target during a typical grocery run.
To understand who this character is exactly, there is a Reddit section dedicated to pointing out the most basic characteristics of said person.
“The difficulties that come with marrying a basic bitch are coupled with the basic friends, basic goals, and basic thoughts—the mundane conversations about what amazing to-die-for flavors will Starbucks have this week and whether or not these yoga pants and leggings will look good today,” wrote Reddit user Economiconcology .
Someone replied to the Reddit thread saying the description is a shame, and that basic bitches “are often a lot of fun, though, and make good mothers.”
In all their glory, basic bitches will just be one thing: simply basic. And that’s OK! As much as the hipsters and people who think they are above them throw shade, the world’s economy would not survive without its most easily pleased customer.
Kristen Hubby is a tech and lifestyle reporter. Her writing focuses on sex, pop culture, streaming entertainment, and social media, with an emphasis on major platforms like Snapchat, YouTube, and Spotify. Her work has also appeared in Austin Monthly and the Austin American-Statesman, where she covered local news and the dining scene in Austin, Texas.
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*First Published: Dec 12, 2016, 9:00 am CST
More stories to check out before you go
Photo via Normana Karia / Shutterstock
Remix by Jason Reed
Posted on Dec 12, 2016 Updated on May 25, 2021, 10:00 am CDT
The coined nickname “basic bitch” has been floating around common banter for a while now, and is generally used as an insult toward someone we all know and are hesitant to actually interact with in public. The identity of this specific specimen is difficult to pinpoint at times, but if dressed the part, they could easily be spotted a mile away.
Basic bitch starter pack pic.twitter.com/X1yDs7ZGyn
A basic bitch has been portrayed in many forms and fashions in movies, television, and literature, shining in all her glory. The most popular recent depictions can be seen in popular girl groups from movies like Mean Girls , Clueless , and Crossroads . Although the term can be coined as sexist or just plain rude, it shouldn’t be offensive unless the person receiving the nickname is insecure in their pick for the best spot to eat dinner based on the meal’s Instagram potential.
Urban Dictionary (aka the bible of bluntly identifying this generation’s popular slang) defines a basic bitch as someone who engages in unoriginal behaviors, modes of dress, topics of conversation, and interests. This person thinks that they are a perfect catch but in reality they wouldn’t even create a spark of interest from someone who partakes in other activities besides melting into the status quo of a mainstream agenda.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p2ZafaDvCG/
While engaged in conversation, a basic bitch can typically be recognized off the bat. They love to abbreviate all words like “omg” and “totes,” and actually says hashtag out loud. “throwback Thursdays” are their time to shine the light on their high school photos that actually look average, and Sundays are when their best-self comes to life after a few grapefruit mimosas with a side of eggs benny during brunch.
There are a lot of stereotypical images of a basic bitch, which can be unfair at times since we all catch ourselves enjoying a cup of pumpkin spice flavored creamer with a splash of coffee, or jamming out to the new Chainsmokers radio single. Even if that’s not the case, a basic bitch is your normal, average working lady who you pass in the halls of Target during a typical grocery run.
To understand who this character is exactly, there is a Reddit section dedicated to pointing out the most basic characteristics of said person.
“The difficulties that come with marrying a basic bitch are coupled with the basic friends, basic goals, and basic thoughts—the mundane conversations about what amazing to-die-for flavors will Starbucks have this week and whether or not these yoga pants and leggings will look good today,” wrote Reddit user Economiconcology .
Someone replied to the Reddit thread saying the description is a shame, and that basic bitches “are often a lot of fun, though, and make good mothers.”
In all their glory, basic bitches will just be one thing: simply basic. And that’s OK! As much as the hipsters and people who think they are above them throw shade, the world’s economy would not survive without its most easily pleased customer.
Kristen Hubby is a tech and lifestyle reporter. Her writing focuses on sex, pop culture, streaming entertainment, and social media, with an emphasis on major platforms like Snapchat, YouTube, and Spotify. Her work has also appeared in Austin Monthly and the Austin American-Statesman, where she covered local news and the dining scene in Austin, Texas.
‘They said my social media posts made them question my judgment’: TikToker says she got fired for sharing her salary online, sparking debate on salary transparency
Canadian radio station brings unexpected joy by playing ‘Killing in the Name’ for 30 hours
‘Gen Z bullied a name to literal oblivion’: TikToker says not one baby has been named ‘Karen’ since 2019, referencing satirical article
‘Every woman who dates men needs to hear this f*cking story’: Woman says ‘friend of a friend’ was fed human meat on Hinge date at Airbnb, sparking skepticism
You abbreviate nearly every damn word #Totes
The edgiest band on your Spotify is Sam Smith
You're on first name terms with your barista at Starbucks
And the new Starbucks #PSL (pumpkin spiced lattes) have got you like...
You still can't believe Rachel Bilson & Adam Brody split
A scroll on the sidebar of shame is the first thing you do when you wake up
Going wild involves choosing something different from the Pizza Express menu
On Instagram you hashtag #instapic, as well as #every #other #word
Vintage is a nice idea. But not for you.
If you find something that suits you, might as well buy it in every colour, hey?
Magic Mike XXL is one of your all-time favourite films
Sure you've been to the same holiday resort four years in a row, but it's really really nice
Your beach snaps consist of #hotdogsorlegs, #sunsetporn and #ootd
You think that adding "haha" to texts makes them seem less rude
You try every Instagram filter option until you settle on the one that you ALWAYS use (Nashville, thanks for asking)
You can't send a message without adding the perfect emoji
You've tried the 5:2, you went gluten-free for a while, the SirtFood diet, and now you're vegan (if it's good enough for Beyonce…) but you'll be tucking in to a burger at some point this weekend
You follow every Victoria's Secret model on Instagram
Coldplay's Fix You moves you to tears
You tried the lilac hair trend and it didn't work out
You're interested in feminism - but mainly when Emma Watson talks about it
You still quote lines from Clueless
You would never tolerate Kate Moss swigging vodka from her hand luggage
But anyway, It's frappuchino happy hour - gotta dash!
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So basic. But don't worry, we won't tell Kate Moss. Here's how to tell if you belong in the basic club...
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Follow GLAMOUR's resident basic bitch on Instagram @LeanneBayley . And be sure to check out our Basic Bitch gift guide below.
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The phenomenon of “basicness” has been much discussed recently in the scientific community; as our understanding of it deepens, so, too, does our knowledge of the natural world. And now, groundbreaking new research from Harvard University has just shed a bright and shining light on a specific element of basicness: The Basic Bitch . Published by Alexis Wilkinson, editor of The Harvard Lampoon, the paper identifies not only the defining characteristics of the Basic Bitch, but also addresses what may be described as the anti-Basic Bitch: The Bad Bitch. In honor of this important new research, I've assembled a field guide to identifying the Basic Bitch. May it stand you in good stead as you make your way through the world.
The daily Basic Bitch uniform takes no risks. She wears heels even when they are an utterly impractical choice of footwear (or wedges, because they are "sooo comfy"), and according to Wilkinson, “She thinks her scarf from Forever 21 is vintage.” On Wednesdays, she wears pink; she also seems to believe that every day of the week is Wednesday. She continues to wear the imitation Hervé Léger bandage dress she purchased for sorority formals long after it is appropriate to do so. She smells like a Victoria’s Secret store. She has several pairs of Tory Burch flats.
However, although the Basic Bitch’s wardrobe is generally “safe,” she will see summer music festivals as a chance to “let her hair down.” Unfortunately, as Katie de Heras notes in “Deconstructing the Basic Bitch,” she will often do this by appropriating items central to other cultures with no thought as to the significance of those items. As far as the Basic Bitch is concerned, they are simply fun accessories.
Pumpkin Spice Latte, although it is not impossible to enjoy Pumpkin Spice Lattes as a Non Basic Bitch. See “In Defense of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.” She also loooooves Skinny Girl Margaritas when she's being "bad." She refers to them as "margs." She is "totally addicted" to diet soda.
The Basic Bitch’s music of choice changes with the pop charts. She will often claim to be a particular artist’s No. 1 fan, in spite of the fact that she has only ever heard one song by the artist in question. Pandora's "Today's Hits" radio station is the sound track to her life. She can sing most One Direction songs by heart, she think she is edgy for knowing about Avicii, and she was SO PSYCHED to see Outkast play at Coachella so that she could attempt to twerk to "Bombs Over Baghdad," which was the only song she recognized. She may know nothing of intellectual pursuits but, as Wilkinson says, "her only area of study is pop culture, and even that she has yet to master as she mistakenly uses 'turn up' as a noun."
The primary conversational marker of the Basic Bitch is, Wilkinson writes, "a vocal inflection that makes statements sound like questions." This may be a derivative of the “Valley Girl” marker, although more research may be required before any conclusions may be drawn.
Any suburban mall. In fact, according to Wilkinson, "a trip to the mall, the fucking mall , requires two hours of conversation" afterward.
NOTE: According to Wilkinson, “Basic bitchiosity extends the lines of gender.” The male-identifying Basic Bitch may share similar qualities with the female-identifying Basic Bitch; they may, however, be expressed in different ways (see: Disick, Scott). Further research may consider delving into the specific methods of expression displayed by the male-identifying Basic Bitch.
However, as Wilkinson states, there is an antidote to the Basic Bitch: The Bad Bitch. “Thought definitions vary, foremost, the Bad Bitch is a revolution,” Wilkinson writes. “To the Bad Bitch, life is a sport, and she is winning…. Though the Bad Bitch has her discontents, she is always self-assured, and it is from this security she draws her power.” Furthermore, it is possible for anyone to join the ranks of the Bad Bitches, for they are, as Wilkinson states, not born. They are made.
Each journey from Basic Bitch to Bad Bitch is unique to the individual; as such, there are no guidebooks or rules to follow in order to achieve Bad Bitch status. The best advice this researcher can offer is to challenge yourself. Step outside your comfort zone. Never settle. And give life your all.
Author’s note: Hopefully it’s fairly obvious that this whole thing is tongue-in-cheek; Alexis Wilkinson is, after all, the editor of the Harvard Lampoon. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with being “basic” (as long as you don’t do that cultural appropriation thing), there’s still a lot of humor to be had in the concept. Take it all with a grain of salt and a hearty laugh, and by all means, enjoy your Pumpkin Spice Latte. They may be basic, but they’re also delicious.
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