What is “Cheugy”? Funny you should ask.
A while ago, “basic” took the internet by storm. We finally had a word for “Tasteless, cookie-cutter stuff that Marge Simpson would like.” Basic meant outlandishly normal. Starbucks peppermint mochas, Lifetime movies, those Bed, Bath & Beyond signs that say “live, laugh, love”? You better believe that’s basic. But now, people have leaned into “normal” so hard that it’s become a parody of itself.
Enter “Cheugy,” which according to Urban Dictionary (and The New York Times), is “used to describe someone who is out of date or trying too hard.”
Who cares, right? Well, to quote Marge Simpson: “that’s what makes me cool, right? Not caring?” Nope. I assure you, I am not cool. Writing this hurts me, but at least I know I’ll never, ironically or unironically, own a mug that says “my coffee is as hot as my wife!” I will, however, do the Borat voice whenever I say “my wife!” until someone insists I stop. Not cool.
If you’re worried you might like something cheugy, don’t fret. I’m here to show you the worst of the worst, thanks to this terrific Instagram compiling the cloying and saccharine products, memes, and inspirational quotes these cheugy people keep putting out into the world.
Here are the best examples of what Cheugy means from the @cheuglife Instagram page:
1. The “prom-posal” may be forgiven because kids don’t know anything until they’re 30 or so.
2. I think we can all agree that this is a little much.
3. If the first thing you wanted to do post-COVID was to go to Disneyland, I’m sorry… you are cheug. Unless you’re… 5?
4. What exactly is this photo? It’s Cheugy.
5. Ultimate cheug: matching everything with words saying what they are. The way there used to be “Beer” at the store when our parents were growing up.
6. If you need scented wipes instead of a water and soap, you might be cheug.
7. Let’s be done with this kind of decor.
8. If this tanning salon lobby soothes you, you are cheugy.
9. Christian Girl Autumn was never a fun idea.
10. Wow. Weird flex but OK.
11. On the other side of the political spectrum, there’s this.
12. Ugg is what you say when you see something “cheugy.”
13. I think these are earrings, but I’m not sure.
14. We. Are. So. Bored. Because. We. Are. Boring. People.
15. Smell the cheug from a mile away.
