Skip to main content

frowny-face journalism 

A subset of the more general human interest story, frowny-face journalism takes some boring, abstract, impersonal policy change or social problem, takes a big photo of some sad children whose playcentre is closing, an old couple who are being forced out of their subsidised housing or, in this case, a recently unemployed man losing his home(s). This way, readers automatically know what to think about the story - generally 'awwwww'.
"Did you read that article about the sad children whose playcentre was bulldozed down and replaced with a right-wing lobby group headquarters?"

"Was it Frowny-face journalism"

"it made me go awwww"

frowny-face journalism 

Frowny-face journalism is a subset of the more general human interest story, which takes some boring, abstract, impersonal policy change or social problem, uses a large photo to illustrate the sadness of the story (e.g.crying children whose playcentre is closing or an old couple who are being forced out of their subsidised housing). As a consequence, readers automatically know what to think about the story - generally 'awwwww'. This is bad enough in itself, but there is an added danger: that of taking the analogy between the sad individual and the social issue too far.
Reading such stories is a common cause of news-rage
Example of a frowny-face journalism piece from the New Zealand Herald "Bruce Burgess, 60 years old and a qualified engineer, has been busy his entire adult life. Aside from a couple of years overseas in the early 1970s, he has worked, paid his taxes and saved his money.
His wife Jo has held down regular work as an office administrator and accounts person. Neither of them smoke, they don't take extravagant holidays, and drink only occasionally."
It makes you go "awwww"

Frowny Face

A tweet sent by a coworker in an effort to make a pass at the receiver.
"I was minding my own business on the futon when the man with the van sent me a frowny face. What do i do?"
Frowny Face by Bitch (o) (o) August 23, 2011
A small piece of information. Derived from the word ken, used often in the scottish language and is synonymous with knowledge.
Person 1: "Hey I don't get this shit. How do you solve this problem?"
Person 2: "I got that one. Give me some kenlets on this assignment and I'll help you w/ that one."
kenlet by Norma Y. October 8, 2005
Word of the Day on July 13, 2026

I mean I guess bro

a word of expression to when you give up on comprehending someone's words of ignorance, stupidity, absurdity or are too exhausted to formulate a proper response.

Commonly seen in TikTok comment sections in replies to lazy attempts at humor, overconfidentally incorrect statement, or an over-the-top comment or when someone completely misses the mark on something.
"actually... incorrect statement, hope this helps!"
"I mean I guess bro"
Word of the Day on July 12, 2026

abandonware 

n. software that is no longer sold or supported by the original publisher / developer, often found as free downloads on the internet because it cannot be obtained elsewhere. Not legal, but often seen as morally acceptable because the company that made it is no longer selling the title, nor releasing it as freeware, therefore abandonware is "keeping the game alive", so to speak.
Doom II is not abandonware because id still sells it, while The Incredible Machine is not sold, therefore is abandonware.
abandonware by Spoom October 24, 2003
Word of the Day on July 11, 2026