Pumpkin spice latte. Ugg boots. Leggings. A photo of a brunch plate. If you know the stereotype, you know what "basic" means. It describes someone or something unoriginal, mainstream, and predictable. The term is often used by young women about other young women, but it is not limited to gender. A basic car is a Toyota Camry. A basic movie is a rom-com with the same plot.

Basic is not always an insult. It can be self-deprecating. "I'm basic, I love Starbucks." It can be a neutral description. "That's a basic outfit." The sting comes from the implication that the person has no unique taste. They follow trends without thinking. They are a walking cliché.

Signs of basic

• Loving seasonal drinks from chain coffee shops.
• Wearing mass-market brands with visible logos.
• Posting the same vacation photos as everyone else.
• Using slang a year after it peaked.

The label is a tool of social hierarchy. Calling someone basic is a way of saying you are more interesting. It is a small cruelty. It is also a joke. The line between teasing and bullying is thin. Context matters. So does tone. Basic is a word with a smirk.