National Unfriend Day

Happy individuals laughing together on a sunny day, wearing casual attire, diverse group, scenic outdoor park setting.. — National unfriend day illustration

Are you tired of getting daily life updates from someone you barely spoke two words with back in high school? Then buckle up, as National Unfriend Day might be just the day you were waiting for! Now, you can confidently say: 'It’s not me, it’s National Unfriend Day.',

When is Unfriend Day?

It's national unfriend day on the 17th November.

History of National Unfriend Day

Strangely enough, we have late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to thank for this relief giving day. Kimmel proposed the idea back in 2010 and National Unfriend Day has become an annual fixture for social media users all over the world. The day encourages a spring clean of your friend list, designed to help you wave goodbye to those folks who, let's be honest, you’re not really friends with.

So what happened on November 17, 2016?

The most significant bump in National Unfriend Day's popularity came in 2016. Internet chatter about the day surged to its highest ever, with 3682 unique mentions found in the virtual ether. Who knew so many people yearned for the tidiness of their pre-internet social universe?

How to Celebrate?

Engagement in National Unfriend Day is simple: log onto your social media platforms and start trimming that friend fat. The people you keep whittled down to those who you genuinely care about hearing from. You can start dispatching those people filling your wall with posts of nothing much, or the person who has turned into a social media salesman. Don’t worry, it’s nothing personal — it’s just National Unfriend Day.

History behind the term 'Unfriend'

2003

The Birth of Social Networking

The concept of social networking took off in the early 2000s with the emergence of platforms like MySpace and Friendster. These websites allowed users to connect with others and build an online network of friends. This marked the beginning of a new era in communication and connectivity.

2004

Facebook's Entry

In February 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook from his dorm room at Harvard University. Originally limited to Harvard students, the platform quickly expanded to other universities and eventually opened to the public in September 2006. Facebook's popularity skyrocketed, revolutionizing the way people interacted online.

2007

The Rise of 'Unfriend'

As Facebook grew in popularity, its users encountered situations where they wanted to remove someone from their friend list. In 2007, Facebook introduced the 'unfriend' feature, allowing users to sever digital connections with their friends. 'Unfriend' quickly gained traction and became a commonly used term to describe the act of removing someone from one's online circle.

2009

Oxford English Dictionary Recognition

The term 'unfriend' gained such widespread recognition and usage that it was chosen as the Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary in November 2009. This acknowledgment from a reputable institution solidified the term's place in the English language and its cultural significance.

2014

Expanded Usage in Popular Culture

Over time, 'unfriend' transcended its original context and found its way into popular culture. It became a common theme in movies, TV shows, and even songs. The term's cultural impact demonstrated the influence of social networking on daily life and communication.

Present

Continued Relevance

As social media continues to evolve and define how we connect with others, the term 'unfriend' remains relevant. It stands as a reminder of the ever-changing digital landscape and the power of our online relationships. 'Unfriend' serves as a reflection of both the positive and negative aspects of social networking.

Did you know?

Did you know that the record for the most Facebook friends is held by Steven Kawalit? He had over 5,000 friends back in June 2015. Imagine unfriending that many people on National Unfriend Day!