Korean slang profile
넷맹
netmaeng
Unfamiliarity with or inability to use the internet
An expression of the time for a person or state of knowing little about using the internet or being unable to use it.
- Expanded form
- internet + 맹internet + 맹 (internet + 맹, indicating inability)
- Other spellings
- —
- Earliest source found
- Dec 31, 2000
- Documented trend period
- Not verified
This is the earliest source we have verified, not the date the term was coined.
01Examples, with English translations
- Example by Julimmal
그 시절 기사에서는 인터넷이 낯선 이용자를 넷맹이라고 불렀다.
Articles of that period called users unfamiliar with the internet 넷맹.
02Documented history
- 2000The 국립국어연구원’s 『2000년 신어』 lists the spelling and meaning of “넷맹”.[1]
03Origin & word formation
This expression was checked in the 국립국어연구원’s 『2000년 신어』. The expanded form or corresponding name given by the collection is “internet + 맹 (internet + 맹, indicating inability)”. The first coiner and actual first use have not been verified.
Evidence for the origin explanationMedium
The original defines a state or person unable to use the internet. It is not claimed to be a neutral label for everyone; the explanation of formation is distinguished from first use.
04Sources
Original titles and links are preserved. An English translation does not replace the original source.
- 2000년 신어, 본문 57쪽 (국립국어연구원)Published Dec 31, 2000Original source checked Nov 15, 2026