What is this?
The Graveyard is a collection of censored, shadowbanned, or socially buried terms that have lost visibility on mainstream platforms. These words often relate to marginalized communities, controversial ideologies, or evolving slang that algorithms or moderation systems deem inappropriate, unsafe, or undesirable.
By archiving these terms, we highlight how language can be algorithmically erased and how digital death doesn’t always mean disappearance—but a shift into obscurity.
By archiving these terms, we highlight how language can be algorithmically erased and how digital death doesn’t always mean disappearance—but a shift into obscurity.
China’s Graveyard
男同性恋（gay）
Cause of death
LGBTQ+ content has been subject to censorship for being considered "sensitive" or "inappropriate" by authorities; euphemisms are often used to evade filters.The Accused
Resurrected As
南通（The name of a city in China）Resurrection Type
HomophonicPlace(s) of death
Douyin
Weibo
Xiaohongshu
大胃王（big Stomach King）
Cause of death
To curb food waste, the Chinese government banned content that promotes overeating or binge-eating, deeming it socially irresponsible.The Accused
Resurrected As
Food ChallengeResurrection Type
HomophonicPlace(s) of death
all video platformsVPN (Virtual Private Network)
Cause of death
VPNs challenge the effectiveness of China's censorship apparatus by allowing users to share, read, and post freely beyond the mainland ecosystem.The Accused
Resurrected As
科学上网 (scientific internet surfing)Resurrection Type
SynonymPlace(s) of death
all platforms in China法轮功 (Falun Gong)
Cause of death
Banned as an "evil cult" by the Chinese government in 1999; all related discussions are censored.The Accused
Resurrected As
FLGResurrection Type
AcronymPlace(s) of death
all platforms in China警察 (Police)
Cause of death
Avoids fueling online outrage toward law enforcement.Footage of disputes with police often removed to limit dissent or rumor-spreading.
The Accused
Resurrected As
帽子叔叔 ("Uncle Hat"), “officer”Resurrection Type
SynonymPlace(s) of death
short video platforms like Douyin畜生 (beast)
Cause of death
Considered a personal attack or abusive language; violates platform community guidelinesThe Accused
Resurrected As
出生 (born)Resurrection Type
HomophonicPlace(s) of death
all platformsName of the President
Cause of death
The Chinese government enforces strict control over online discourse to maintain political stability and authority.The Accused
Resurrected As
小熊维尼 (Winnie the Pooh)Resurrection Type
PictogramPlace(s) of death
all platformsUS’s Graveyar
Deep state
Cause of death
This term refers to unelected powerbrokers who form a shadow government that persists through changes in administration. In the minds of QAnon followers, the deep state is a contemporary Illuminati.Resurrected As
“D-Stat,” cryptic references to “the hidden gov.”Resurrection Type
Abbreviation + MetaphorPlace(s) of death
QAnonMSM (main stream media)
Cause of death
Language used by Qanon: A slur against almost all professional journalism, suggesting that news platforms are corporate-owned, lacking journalistic integrity, and influenced by advertising revenue.Resurrected As
Alternative media (“real voices”)Resurrection Type
PolarizationPlace(s) of death
QAnon, Trump administrationRed pill
Cause of death
A spin on a concept from The Matrix movies, the “red pill” is the way to Q-awareness, or indoctrination into the belief system. In The Matrix, taking a red pill allows for the realization that people are enslaved and must go to war to be liberated.Resurrected As
Digital awakening, radical truthResurrection Type
Symbolic narrativePlace(s) of death
Online forums (e.g., Reddit, 4chan), QAnon circles“Stop the Steal”
Cause of death
After 2020 U.S. elections, terms alleging voter fraud were targeted for removal or warning labels to combat misinformation. Raises questions about tech platforms acting as arbiters of truth.Resurrected As
“S the S,” “Ste@l,” references to “rigged E.”Resurrection Type
Obfuscation + Symbolic abbreviationPlace(s) of death
Post-2020 election on Facebook, Twitter, YouTubeOther Casualties
“Extrajudicial Killings”
Cause of death
Many local activists’ posts about EJK were reportedly flagged or pressured offline. It underscored how government offices denied “EJK” terminology, pushing state media to use more neutral or sanitized phrasing (e.g., “homicide cases”).Resurrected As
“E-J-K,” “unexplained deaths,” or euphemisms like “EK.”Resurrection Type
Sanitization + AcronymizationPlace(s) of death
Social media takedowns (2016 onward), mainstream media cautionHave a Totally Joyful Day
Cause of death
This term is also used in the acronym TJD, which stands for “Total Jewish Death.”The Accused
Resurrected As
Sarcastic memes, coded hate speech, or acronyms like “TJD” in fringe forumsResurrection Type
Code-switching + Dark IronyPlace(s) of death
Fringe online platforms, meme culture, hate forums (e.g., 8chan)Palestine, Gaza
Cause of death
Beyond typical algospeak of the war, Trump administration is using social media to monitor.The Accused
Resurrected As
P*les+in1ans, t*rr0rism, Pa&lesti*neResurrection Type
Obfuscation + Algorithm evasionPlace(s) of death
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube — flagged hashtags and shadowbanning in 2021–2024 conflict peaksThe Graveyard
