CANON EVENT
People use the term "canon event" humorously or dramatically to describe life experiences. These life experiences can be both major and minor, and feel like they are part of a scripted destiny.
Definition
A canon event refers to a pivotal moment in someone's life that is meant to happen and shapes their future, often in a way that's unavoidable or necessary for character development.
Origins
The term comes from fictional storytelling, where "canon" refers to official events within a story's timeline, as opposed to fan fiction or alternate universes. It gained massive popularity after the release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), which introduced the idea that every Spider-Man must go through certain defining moments (canon events) to become who they are meant to be. Social media users quickly adapted the term to real life, using it to describe experiences that feel inevitable or necessary for personal growth.
Evolution
Early Use - Fandom & Storytelling: Originally used in fan discussions to refer to official storylines in books, comics, and movies.
2023 - Pop Culture Boom: After Across the Spider-Verse, the phrase became a meme on TikTok and Twitter, used to describe relatable life moments that feel destined.
Now: Used humorously to justify questionable life choices, awkward experiences, or personal struggles as part of a necessary journey.
Usage Examples
Describing an embarrassing but necessary experience
"Every teen has to go through a cringy phase. It's a canon event."
Reacting to a friend making a bad decision
"She's texting her ex again… I can't interfere. It's her canon event."
Reflecting on a life-changing moment
"Getting my heart broken for the first time was truly a canon event."
The phrase is often used dramatically but humorously, as if life were a scripted storyline in which certain moments—good or bad—must happen for personal growth.