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A new TikTok trend called “Augusted” is inviting people to share their summer heartbreaks. Inspired by a Taylor Swift song, the phrase resonates especially in August, a month that’s prone to fleeting romances and romantic disappointments.
Getting “augusted” or “getting Augusted” is how TikTok users now describe the experience of falling head over heels in love, only to see your loved one leave for someone else. The term, which has gone viral, is widely used in August, a time when people open up about their summer romantic woes, under the hashtag #Augusted, which already has 8 million posts on the social network.
Among the reactions observed: “Realizing I got hit on a second time by the same guy“, laments an Internet userhead in hands, or else “Being hit on by a guy, but realizing that in less than a week I’ll be going out every weekend and having fun with my friends“, relativizes another.
A term inspired by Taylor Swift
The term “Augusted” is a direct reference to the song “August” by American singer Taylor Swift. In this song, the character Augustine has her heart broken by James, her summer love, who ends up choosing Betty, another character mentioned in the songs “Betty” and “Cardigan”. “August” captures Augustine’s nostalgia and sadness, recalling a summer romance that ended too soon, leaving her feeling abandoned.
This viral phrase, coined by Taylor Swift fans known as the “Swifties,” evokes the deep pain many feel after a short-lived romance. The term resonates even more because many people identify with this romantic disappointment.
An unequivocal influence
The song is part of a trio of tracks from Swift’s 2020 album Folklore, which explores the story of a fictional love triangle.
This isn’t the first time Taylor Swift has inspired a social media trend. Back in April, she launched a challenge for the release of her 11th album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” She invited fans to share “14 clips of 14 moments” from their lives on YouTube Shorts, with her song “Fortnite” playing in the background. Taylor even participated by sharing her own video, “For A Fortnight,” which racked up over 72 million views in just five days.
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