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YOLO is an acronym for "you only live once". Similar to Latin "carpe diem" ("seize the day"), it implies that one should enjoy life, even if that entails taking risks, as if there would not be another chance for it. The phrase and acronym are both used in youth culture and music, and were both popularized by the 2011 song "The Motto" by rapper Drake.
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History
Similar phrases have been in use for more than a century, including these:
In the 20th century, the phrase, "you only live once" was commonly attributed to comedian and actor Mae West.
In the early 21st century, the acronym "YOLO" and the phrase, "you only live once" became a staple of music and youth culture. The acronym has been a subject of graffiti, Twitter hashtags, pranks, tattoos, music, television shows, and merchandise.
A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has held a trademark to the phrase "YOLO" in the context of the frozen yogurt business since 2010.
The acronym was most popularized in the 21st century by rapper Drake, who planned to release a 2011 joint mixtape titled YOLO along with Rick Ross. To promote this mixtape, "YOLO" was mentioned prominently on several of their tracks such as "The Motto", released on November 29, 2011, with the aim of promoting the tape. This use is said to have elevated the word into prominence and common colloquial use. In late 2012, Drake expressed a desire to obtain royalties for use of "YOLO" due to the proliferation of merchandise bearing the phrase and lyrics from his song, which have been commonly seen at stores such as Walgreens and Macy's, but he does not own a trademark on the word.
Hip-hop magazine Da South reported that the rapper Lecrae has deconstructed the phrase "YOLO" in his 2012 song "No Regrets".
The comedy band The Lonely Island released a 2013 song titled "YOLO" parodying the phrase and the people who use it as a lifestyle meme. The song has charted in many countries, including #60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Reception
Online media including The Washington Post and The Huffington Post describe YOLO as the "newest acronym you'll love to hate" and "dumb". The word has been criticized for its use in conjunction with reckless behavior, most notably in a Twitter post by aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness just prior to his death that described driving drunk at 120 mph (193 km/h): "Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #FuckIt YOLO."
In the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live on January 19, 2014, Drake apologized about culture's obnoxious adoption of the phrase, saying he had no idea it would become so big.