NPC
mockery for someone seen as not thinking for themselves / on autopilot (from 'non-player character')
Origin
Abbreviation of 'non-player character' from video games - computer-controlled figures that follow fixed scripts and do not act independently. As an internet meme it spread from 2016 via a variant of the 'Wojak' meme (posted anonymously on 4chan) to depict people who don't think for themselves but adopt others' thoughts uncritically. In 2023 the term gained reach through a TikTok livestream trend (influencers reacting to money gifts with robotic, seemingly pre-programmed actions) and was one of the ten nominees for Jugendwort des Jahres.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Examples
Der nur, was er im hört — der NPC.
He just repeats whatever he hears on TV — total NPC.