Hyped

/haɪpt/ adjective

Definition

Excited or agitated, usually due to too much excitement about something; or something that has received a lot of promotional advertising.

Etymology

From 'hype,' which originated in the 1920s, possibly from 'hypodermic' (the idea of a sudden injection of energy) or circus slang. It became common in marketing in the 1980s-90s.

Kelly Says

The verb 'hype' perfectly captures modern consumer culture: something can be 'hyped' (promoted intensely) without being good, and people can be 'hyped up' (artificially stimulated) like they've been injected with marketing adrenaline. The word suggests a skepticism that the excitement might be manufactured rather than genuine.

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