{"id":830,"date":"2014-03-08T17:03:59","date_gmt":"2014-03-08T21:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.openbible.info\/blog\/?p=830"},"modified":"2016-01-31T20:07:11","modified_gmt":"2016-02-01T00:07:11","slug":"what-twitterers-are-giving-up-for-lent-2014-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.openbible.info\/blog\/2014\/03\/what-twitterers-are-giving-up-for-lent-2014-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"What Twitterers Are Giving up for Lent (2014 Edition)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

This year, “School” topped the list of things Twitterers are giving up for Lent, up 44 places from last year. Remaining in the top ten from last year are Swearing, Alcohol, Soda, Social Networking, and Fast Food. Chocolate, Twitter, Sweets, and Lent round out the new additions to the top ten.<\/p>\n

I don’t have a great explanation for why School is #1 this year–it could be that Ash Wednesday is later this year, so spring break is closer (for some it even starts today). It’s also possible that Twitter’s audience is skewing younger than it used to, or that younger Twitter users are more likely to tweet about Lent.<\/p>\n

Timely topics this year are Boosie, referring to rapper Lil Boosie<\/a>, who was released from prison this week (people joked that the prison was giving him up for Lent); and Electricity, referring to a widespread power outage in South Africa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This list draws from 646,000 tweets during March 2 to 8 that mention giving up something for Lent and excludes retweets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/th>\nWord<\/th>\nCount<\/th>\nChange from last year\u2019s rank<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
1.<\/td>\nSchool<\/td>\n11,757<\/td>\n+44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.<\/td>\nChocolate<\/td>\n9,515<\/td>\n+15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.<\/td>\nTwitter<\/td>\n8,642<\/td>\n+8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.<\/td>\nSwearing<\/td>\n7,132<\/td>\n-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.<\/td>\nAlcohol<\/td>\n6,325<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.<\/td>\nSoda<\/td>\n5,446<\/td>\n-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.<\/td>\nSocial networking<\/td>\n4,197<\/td>\n-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.<\/td>\nSweets<\/td>\n4,188<\/td>\n+8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.<\/td>\nFast food<\/td>\n4,088<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.<\/td>\nLent<\/td>\n2,842<\/td>\n+118<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.<\/td>\nMeat<\/td>\n2,790<\/td>\n+26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.<\/td>\nHomework<\/td>\n2,760<\/td>\n+61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.<\/td>\nJunk food<\/td>\n2,723<\/td>\n+8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.<\/td>\nCoffee<\/td>\n2,678<\/td>\n+123<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15.<\/td>\nSex<\/td>\n2,392<\/td>\n+112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16.<\/td>\nChips<\/td>\n2,129<\/td>\n-10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17.<\/td>\nBread<\/td>\n2,020<\/td>\n+114<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18.<\/td>\nYou<\/td>\n2,016<\/td>\n+21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19.<\/td>\nFacebook<\/td>\n1,926<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20.<\/td>\nPizza<\/td>\n1,628<\/td>\n+122<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21.<\/td>\nStarbucks<\/td>\n1,566<\/td>\n+120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22.<\/td>\nCandy<\/td>\n1,412<\/td>\n+87<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23.<\/td>\nInstagram<\/td>\n1,212<\/td>\n-13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24.<\/td>\nReligion<\/td>\n1,147<\/td>\n+104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25.<\/td>\nVirginity<\/td>\n1,143<\/td>\n-18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26.<\/td>\nCookies<\/td>\n1,053<\/td>\n-14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27.<\/td>\nWork<\/td>\n1,031<\/td>\n+4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28.<\/td>\nIce cream<\/td>\n1,025<\/td>\n+27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29.<\/td>\nBoys<\/td>\n1,021<\/td>\n+99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30.<\/td>\nMarijuana<\/td>\n1,018<\/td>\n-22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31.<\/td>\nSmoking<\/td>\n994<\/td>\n-9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32.<\/td>\nBeer<\/td>\n939<\/td>\n+104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33.<\/td>\nLife<\/td>\n933<\/td>\n-8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34.<\/td>\nFood<\/td>\n930<\/td>\n+27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35.<\/td>\nMcDonalds<\/td>\n926<\/td>\n+20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36.<\/td>\nWinter<\/td>\n853<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37.<\/td>\nNetflix<\/td>\n851<\/td>\n-7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38.<\/td>\nCollege<\/td>\n819<\/td>\n+16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39.<\/td>\nMy phone<\/td>\n777<\/td>\n+6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40.<\/td>\nShopping<\/td>\n748<\/td>\n+103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41.<\/td>\nStuff<\/td>\n733<\/td>\n+100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42.<\/td>\nSelfies<\/td>\n731<\/td>\n+1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43.<\/td>\nChipotle<\/td>\n726<\/td>\n+100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44.<\/td>\nMasturbation<\/td>\n725<\/td>\n-30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45.<\/td>\nSugar<\/td>\n682<\/td>\n+82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46.<\/td>\nCheese<\/td>\n670<\/td>\n+94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47.<\/td>\nMe<\/td>\n656<\/td>\n+87<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
48.<\/td>\nSobriety<\/td>\n655<\/td>\n-17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
49.<\/td>\nWine<\/td>\n652<\/td>\n+94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50.<\/td>\nCarbs<\/td>\n648<\/td>\n+81<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
51.<\/td>\nBoosie<\/td>\n581<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
52.<\/td>\nFried food<\/td>\n574<\/td>\n-23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
53.<\/td>\nCaffeine<\/td>\n563<\/td>\n+70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
54.<\/td>\nRice<\/td>\n562<\/td>\n+86<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
55.<\/td>\nCatholicism<\/td>\n561<\/td>\n-28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
56.<\/td>\nSnapchat<\/td>\n543<\/td>\n+11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
57.<\/td>\nCoke<\/td>\n541<\/td>\n-22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
58.<\/td>\nProcrastination<\/td>\n517<\/td>\n-18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
59.<\/td>\nPeople<\/td>\n516<\/td>\n+54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
60.<\/td>\nSnow<\/td>\n506<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
61.<\/td>\nDesserts<\/td>\n486<\/td>\n-37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
62.<\/td>\nFizzy drinks<\/td>\n480<\/td>\n+81<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
63.<\/td>\nFrench fries<\/td>\n475<\/td>\n-29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
64.<\/td>\nTakeout<\/td>\n464<\/td>\n-49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
65.<\/td>\nObama<\/td>\n452<\/td>\n+74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
66.<\/td>\nMakeup<\/td>\n451<\/td>\n-25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
67.<\/td>\nTaco Bell<\/td>\n434<\/td>\n+39<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
68.<\/td>\nFeelings<\/td>\n434<\/td>\n-32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
68.<\/td>\nPorn<\/td>\n430<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
69.<\/td>\nNothing<\/td>\n427<\/td>\n+74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
70.<\/td>\nMy swag<\/td>\n420<\/td>\n-47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
71.<\/td>\nNegativity<\/td>\n417<\/td>\n+28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
72.<\/td>\nRed meat<\/td>\n396<\/td>\n+59<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
73.<\/td>\nDiet Coke<\/td>\n390<\/td>\n+69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
74.<\/td>\nSarcasm<\/td>\n380<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
75.<\/td>\nBreathing<\/td>\n369<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
76.<\/td>\nCaring<\/td>\n357<\/td>\n+66<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
77.<\/td>\nComplaining<\/td>\n354<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
78.<\/td>\nTea<\/td>\n352<\/td>\n+64<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
79.<\/td>\nPancakes<\/td>\n340<\/td>\n+63<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
80.<\/td>\nPeanut butter<\/td>\n336<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
81.<\/td>\nSweet tea<\/td>\n335<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
82.<\/td>\nBooze<\/td>\n325<\/td>\n+61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
83.<\/td>\nSleep<\/td>\n320<\/td>\n+33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
84.<\/td>\nHope<\/td>\n316<\/td>\n+46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
85.<\/td>\nCake<\/td>\n313<\/td>\n-13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
86.<\/td>\nPasta<\/td>\n303<\/td>\n+57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
87.<\/td>\nTV<\/td>\n302<\/td>\n+30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
88.<\/td>\nTexting<\/td>\n297<\/td>\n+52<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
89.<\/td>\nEating out<\/td>\n275<\/td>\n-29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
90.<\/td>\nExercise<\/td>\n274<\/td>\n-47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
91.<\/td>\nPants<\/td>\n270<\/td>\n+5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
92.<\/td>\nElectricity<\/td>\n268<\/td>\n+41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
93.<\/td>\nThe gym<\/td>\n258<\/td>\n+16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
94.<\/td>\nLiquor<\/td>\n245<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
95.<\/td>\nChurch<\/td>\n243<\/td>\n-46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
96.<\/td>\nTinder<\/td>\n237<\/td>\n+35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
97.<\/td>\nTumblr<\/td>\n236<\/td>\n+46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
98.<\/td>\nMath<\/td>\n236<\/td>\n+20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
98.<\/td>\nJuice<\/td>\n232<\/td>\n+35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
99.<\/td>\nBeing mean<\/td>\n230<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100.<\/td>\nChick Fil A<\/td>\n228<\/td>\n-38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Categories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/th>\nCategory<\/th>\nNumber of Tweets<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
1.<\/td>\nfood<\/td>\n62,453<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.<\/td>\nschool\/work<\/td>\n18,148<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.<\/td>\ntechnology<\/td>\n17,615<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.<\/td>\nhabits<\/td>\n16,616<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.<\/td>\nsmoking\/drugs\/alcohol<\/td>\n12,665<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.<\/td>\nirony<\/td>\n7,319<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.<\/td>\nrelationship<\/td>\n6,563<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.<\/td>\nsex<\/td>\n5,483<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.<\/td>\nhealth\/hygiene<\/td>\n3,476<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.<\/td>\nreligion<\/td>\n2,784<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.<\/td>\ngeneric<\/td>\n2,504<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.<\/td>\nentertainment<\/td>\n1,959<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.<\/td>\nweather<\/td>\n1,496<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.<\/td>\nshopping<\/td>\n1,183<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15.<\/td>\ncelebrity<\/td>\n961<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16.<\/td>\nsports<\/td>\n780<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17.<\/td>\npolitics<\/td>\n547<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18.<\/td>\nclothes<\/td>\n540<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19.<\/td>\nmoney<\/td>\n492<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20.<\/td>\nhabit<\/td>\n393<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21.<\/td>\npossessions<\/td>\n217<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22.<\/td>\nclothing<\/td>\n62<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Historical Trends<\/h2>\n

This year I added a new Historical Lent Tracker<\/a> that you can use to investigate Lenten trends on your own over the past six years.<\/p>\n

Here are some of my favorite graphs:<\/p>\n

Second-Wave Social Media<\/h3>\n

Tumblr peaked in 2011, and WhatsApp, which Facebook recently paid $19 billion for, doesn’t register highly.<\/p>\n

\"Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

Fast Food Restaurants<\/h3>\n

Chipotle is much higher on the list than I expected–is that because people love it or because they hate it?<\/p>\n

\"McDonald's<\/a><\/p>\n

One Direction vs. Justin Bieber<\/h3>\n

\"One<\/a><\/p>\n

Snack Foods<\/h3>\n

Congratulations, Hot Cheetos, on being the snack the most people want to give up.<\/p>\n

\"Hot<\/a><\/p>\n

Media Coverage<\/h2>\n

The Lent Tracker got some media attention this year. In roughly chronological order:<\/p>\n