# Mid "Mid" is internet slang meaning mediocre or average, used to dismiss something as unremarkable. The term originated from cannabis culture where "mid" described middle-grade marijuana, then crossed over into mainstream internet slang around 2020 on Twitter, where it became one of the go-to insults for anything considered underwhelming[3]. The related catchphrase "They Having a Mid Off" turned the word into a meme format comparing two equally unremarkable subjects[1]. ## Origin The word "mid" as slang for low-quality or average marijuana has existed in drug culture for years. Urban Dictionary entries reference its use to describe middle-grade weed[2]. But the term's jump to mainstream internet vocabulary happened on Twitter around 2020, where users started applying it to everything from music to celebrities to fast food. The meme format that cemented "mid" in internet culture traces back to June 9, 2020, when Twitter user @CANGELA300 posted a selfie alongside another woman's photo, writing "This is me … and that's you … girl" as a taunt[3]. Three days later, on June 12, 2020, Twitter user @alextalktoem quote-retweeted it with "these women having a mid off," coining the phrase that would become a widespread meme format[3]. The original tweet picked up around 450 likes before being deleted[3]. - **Platform:** Twitter (slang popularization), Cannabis culture (original term) - **Creator:** @alextalktoem (coined "They Having a Mid Off"), Unknown (slang usage) - **Date:** 2020 ## Overview "Mid" is a one-word verdict. When someone calls a movie, a song, a person, or literally anything "mid," they're saying it's aggressively average. Not terrible enough to be interesting, not good enough to be worth talking about. The word carries a specific kind of dismissiveness that "mediocre" or "meh" lack. Calling something mid implies it's so unremarkable that engaging with it further would be a waste of time[2]. The term functions as both an adjective ("that movie was mid") and a standalone judgment ("mid"). Urban Dictionary defines it as "short for middle" and synonymous with mediocre, noting its use ranges from describing entertainment to food to people[2]. The slang spawned the popular meme format "They Having a Mid Off," where two subjects are compared and both declared equally unimpressive[3]. ## How It Spread The "mid off" phrase sat relatively dormant for over a year until October 12, 2021, when Twitter user @DFreeFigueroa screenshotted the original tweet and reposted it. That screenshot blew up, earning roughly 137,000 likes over the following year and a half[3]. By December 2021, other users had picked up the format and started applying it to new targets. On December 8, Twitter user @th3mb0fication captioned a photo of actors Ryan Gosling and Jeremy Strong with "These men having a mid off," pulling in over 240 likes[3]. Two days later, Instagram user @herecomedatboi adapted the format with photos of musicians Lindsey Jordan and Phoebe Bridgers, getting about 2,800 likes[3]. The phrase hit its stride in 2022 and 2023. During the Ned Fulmer / Try Guys cheating scandal in October 2022, Twitter user @gemmygemg posted a YouTube thumbnail of the Try Guys with "They having a mid off," which racked up roughly 63,900 likes in five months[3]. On February 21, 2023, @yassnito paired the catchphrase with two Snapchat Dog Filter selfies and pulled approximately 112,800 likes in a single month[3]. Beyond the specific "mid off" format, "mid" as standalone slang spread across TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram throughout 2021-2023. It became the default one-word dismissal in stan culture debates, gaming discourse, and music criticism[2]. ## How to Use **As standalone slang:** Simply call something "mid" to express that it's average or underwhelming. Works for movies, music, food, people, or any topic of debate. Example: "I finally watched that show everyone's been talking about. It's mid." **As the "Mid Off" format:** Find two subjects that are both considered unremarkable or are feuding despite neither being particularly impressive. Caption the comparison with "They having a mid off" or "These [people/things] having a mid off"[3]. The humor comes from the implication that both parties are equally mediocre and their conflict is therefore pointless. The format typically works best when both subjects have passionate fanbases who would be offended by the "mid" label. The more invested people are in one side, the funnier the dismissal[3]. ## Cultural Impact "Mid" carved out a specific niche in internet argumentation culture. Unlike older dismissals like "trash" or "overrated," calling something mid is uniquely infuriating because it denies the subject even the dignity of being memorably bad. This made it a weapon of choice in stan Twitter wars, where fandoms weaponize the term against rival artists and properties[2]. The word crossed over from internet slang into everyday speech, particularly among Gen Z and younger millennials. It shows up in product reviews, food criticism, and casual conversation. The speed of the crossover reflects how internet slang now moves into mainstream vocabulary faster than ever[1]. ## Fun Facts - The original "these women having a mid off" tweet was deleted, but its screenshot went viral over a year later, earning 137,000 likes on the repost alone[3]. - "Mid" originally referred specifically to middle-grade marijuana before becoming a general insult for anything average[2]. - The most viral single use of the "mid off" format was the Snapchat Dog Filter version in February 2023, which hit roughly 112,800 likes in one month[3]. - The Try Guys scandal gave the format one of its biggest boosts, with a "mid off" tweet about the group pulling nearly 64,000 likes[3]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is mid? Mid is internet slang meaning mediocre or average. It's used as a dismissal for anything considered unremarkable, from movies to music to people[2]. ### Where did mid come from? The word "mid" originally described middle-grade marijuana in cannabis culture[2]. It crossed into mainstream internet slang around 2020, with the "They Having a Mid Off" meme format coined on Twitter on June 12, 2020 by user @alextalktoem[3]. ### What does mid mean? Calling something "mid" means it's aggressively average. Not good, not bad, just disappointingly mediocre. Urban Dictionary defines it as synonymous with "mediocre" and notes it can describe anything from entertainment to food[2]. ### How do you use mid? Either as a standalone adjective ("that movie was mid") or in the "mid off" meme format where two subjects are compared and both declared equally unimpressive[3]. ### Is mid still popular? Yes. "Mid" became deeply embedded in internet vocabulary during 2021-2023 and is still widely used across Twitter, TikTok, and everyday conversation as a go-to dismissal[3][2]. ### Who coined "They Having a Mid Off"? Twitter user @alextalktoem coined the phrase on June 12, 2020, quote-retweeting a selfie comparison between two women[3]. ### Why is being called mid considered an insult? Because it denies the subject even the dignity of being memorably bad. Being "mid" means you're not worth having a strong opinion about either way[2]. ### When did mid go viral? The slang gained traction throughout 2020-2021, but the "mid off" format specifically went viral in October 2021 when a screenshot of the original tweet earned 137,000 likes[3]. ### What was the most viral mid off tweet? A February 2023 tweet by @yassnito pairing the phrase with Snapchat Dog Filter selfies earned approximately 112,800 likes in a single month[3]. ## References 1. [Internet meme]() 2. [Mid - Urban Dictionary]() 3. [Mid - Know Your Meme]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/mid Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library