for the plot
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
All senses originate from the phrase sense. Coined as an inspirational phrase by actress and media personality Serena Kerrigan in a video posted to the social media video-sharing service TikTok on 23 July 2021, in which she alluded to every person being the main character of their own storyline: “If something works out, great, and if it doesn't, it's for the plot”. By this, she meant that negative events and obstacles are inevitable in one's life in order to advance “the plot” onto the next plot point (presumably a more positive one) in their life.[1][2][3]
Phrase
Prepositional phrase
- (Internet slang, idiomatic) Suggests doing something adventurous or risky just for the sake of it.
- Used to dare someone to do something; take a risk; take a chance.
See also
Etymology 2
Originates from a sarcastic Internet meme from c.2011 in which users assert they watch something “for the plot”; often a video or image macro of a risqué or otherwise questionable scene from a work of fiction (originally especially of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) accompanied with the text “I watch it for the plot” or “I watch [name of the work of fiction] for the plot”.[4]
Phrase
- (slang, humorous) Used to suggest that someone is viewing or reading a piece of media (generally fiction) for reasons other than the storyline, usually because of its visual or sexual appeal.
Derived terms
- plot (“sex appeal; assets”)
Etymology 3
Phrase
References
- ^ Lily Burke (2023 October 27) “Do it For The Plot”, in Student Movement[1], volume 104, number 9, Andrews University
- ^ Phillip Hamilton (2023 October 18) “Do It for the Plot”, in Know Your Meme[2]
- ^ Serena Kerrigan (2022 July 19) This mindset changed my life and will change yours too[3], TikTok
- ^ “I Watch It For The Plot”, in Know Your Meme[4], 2019 January 23