What does Gatekeep mean?
To control access to something
Detailed Explanation
To 'gatekeep' is to control or limit access to a community, hobby, or piece of information, often in a snobbish or elitist way. Someone who is gatekeeping decides who does and does not have a right to participate in something. It's often used to criticize 'old fans' of a band who resent 'new fans,' or experts in a hobby who are unwelcoming to beginners.
Usage Examples
“Stop gatekeeping that band just because you listened to them before they were popular.”
“He was trying to gatekeep the hiking trail by saying it was for 'serious hikers only'.”
“She won't tell me where she bought her dress; she's literally gatekeeping fashion.”
Origin & History
The term 'gatekeeper' has existed for a long time. Its modern slang usage as a verb became popular on social media platforms like Tumblr and Twitter in the mid-to-late 2010s to describe and critique exclusionary behavior in fan communities and subcultures. It's also part of the meme phrase 'Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is setting standards the same as gatekeeping?
Not necessarily. There's a debate online about 'good' vs. 'bad' gatekeeping. For example, ensuring people have the proper safety knowledge before engaging in a dangerous hobby isn't seen as negative gatekeeping. The term is most often used when the exclusion is based on arbitrary, elitist, or trivial criteria.