Are you raging about losing a game online? Don’t be surprised if someone posts ‘touch grass’ in the chat, but what does it mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘touch grass’ means to go outside and touch grass. You can use your hands to touch the grass or walk around on it with your bare feet. It’s a common saying in the online gaming community and in high-stress occupations.
People online will use it as a reference to a gamer or chat user that seems unhinged or out of touch with reality due to spending too much time on-screen. It’s something of a social media meme, and people will spam post it in comments and replies to troll the poster.
There are hundreds of memes of ‘touch grass’ online.
Example Usage
"Chill out, my bro. I think you need to take a break from the screen. Go outside and touch grass. You'll feel a lot better."
"The next time you feel anxious and stressed, walk into the garden and touch grass. You'll find it calms you down right away."
"The connection we have with nature is amazing. If you're ever feeling anxious, just touch grass. You'll find those bad feelings just melt away, and your mind calms."
"There is no reason to keep pushing the hours behind the screen if it's producing diminishing results. Take a break and touch grass. You'll find your performance improves when you return to the game."
"Touch grass. Stop being hard on yourself and take a break for a minute. Walk into the courtyard and take off your shoes. Have a walk on the lawn, and you'll find your feet feel great."
"Executives are like gamers; they lose touch with nature, affecting their mental health. Gamers and execs should take a few minutes each day to touch grass."
"When you touch grass after spending hours in front of the computer, it has a powerful restorative effect on your mind."
Origin
The expression ‘touch grass’ originates from internet culture. While it’s a well-known concept for an executive to take their shoes off and walk on the grass to relax, the saying only appeared officially as a meme on Twitter in 2015.
However, the meme only gained traction in 20202 and 2021. The global lockdown forced people inside; most would spend their days online in chatrooms, message boards, and playing games. The phrase first appears to let gamers know to take a break and go outside.
However, it spread to all cultures online as people started to take a strain with the stay-in-place orders. ‘Touch grass’ is still a common meme online, and you’ll find people using it across all social media platforms, message boards, and forums.
Phrases Similar to Touch Grass
- Relax.
- Chill out.
- Take it easy.
- Don’t stress.
Phrases Opposite to Touch Grass
- Stay on-screen.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Touch grass.
Ways People May Say Touch Grass Incorrectly
The phrase ‘touch grass’ refers to touching the grass. It reconnects the mind with a natural environment after detaching yourself from it by staring into a computer screen. Taking a break and having a cup of tea won’t produce the same effect. Try it yourself and see the difference it makes when connecting with nature.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Touch Grass
You can use the phrase ‘touch grass’ in situations where you want to tell someone to calm down. The term started online, suggesting that a gamer takes a break from the screen and gets some fresh air. However, you can use it in professional and social conversations as well.
For instance, if you’re talking to an executive that says they feel stressed, you could tell them to ‘touch grass’ for a while and relieve their anxiety. If you’re talking to a friend, you could ask them to touch grass if they say they feel disconnected or stressed.