The most asked ‘what is’ questions on Google in 2019

The most asked ‘what is’ questions on Google in 2019
Among the data released by Google this year of top searches was a list of the 10 most frequently asked ‘what is’ questions - and they give an interesting insight into some of the trending topics of 2019.

Here are the questions Australians wanted answers to over the year, and why.

  1. What is area 51?

It’s the name of a highly classified US Air Force facility in Nevada long associated with UFO conspiracy theories, and it was the basis of a 20-year-old’s decision to create a joke Facebook event named “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us”. The event urged people to gather to charge at the base in order to “see them aliens”. The event soon had millions of people register their interest. It’s believed only 150 turned up at the Area 51 site, while other associated events that sprung up attracted around 1500 to neighbouring towns.

  1. What is momo?

The Momo Challenge was a hoax about a non-existent social media challenge targeting children and goading them into violence. The urban legend sparked hysteria fuelled by media reports and parents’ fears over their kids’ activity online. It was accompanied by a creepy avatar of a woman with dark hair and bulging eyes.

  1. What is Brexit?

Three years on from the referendum asking whether Britain should leave the European Union, it seems people were still trying to get their heads around exactly what Brexit entails. Brexit will finally be going ahead after the Conservatives won a significant majority at the UK general election, picking up enough seats to pass Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.

  1. What is a VSCO girl?

It’s a new social media term gaining popularity on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram which is named after the VSCO editing app (pronounced visco). The term is generally used as an insult to describe a generation of usually white and middle-class teenage girls who post trendy pictures edited by VSCO. The stereotypical VSCO girl wears scrunchies and Birkenstocks, is an ecowarrior, and loves taking photos in nature.

  1. What is a boomer?

The “Ok, Boomer” meme went viral in 2019, and is used as a way to be dismissive of attitudes stereotypical of baby boomers. It’s often used as a retort to climate change denial and resistance to technological change. It was used by 25-year-old NZ Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick to shut down a heckler in parliament in November.

What can you eat on a keto diet

  1. What is keto diet?

It’s a diet that’s gaining in popularity thanks to celebrities such as Kim Kardashian singing its praises. It’s a high-fat, low-carb eating plan the encourages the body to reach ketosis – a metabolic state where your body burns fat as a fuel instead of glucose.

  1. What is an astrophysicist?

We’re putting this popular search down to this year’s season of The Bachelor Australia, with astrophysicist Matt Agnew taking on the title role for 2019. While he’s currently working in data science, he hopes to return to research involving searching for new planets that could be the home of alien life.

  1. What is negative gearing?

It was one of the key issues of the federal election in 2019, with Labor planning to overhaul negative gearing to improve housing affordability. Labor’s housing spokesperson Jason Clare has left the door open for his party to take a variation of its negative gearing policy to the next election – so expect more Googling on the issue then!

  1. What is Diwali?

It’s a festival of lights and religious observance commemorated by Hindus. With more than 450,000 Hindus calling Australia home, the event has become a significant Australian celebration.

  1. What is vaping?

This year vaping – the use of a handheld vaporiser that simulates smoking – was in the headlines after an outbreak of severe lung illnesses and deaths. A total of 47 vaping-related deaths occurred in the United States this year, while the number of vaping-related lung injury cases topped 2,500.

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