what does npc mean

NPC originally stands for 'non-player character' — a background or scripted character in a video game that the player does not control. Online and teen slang has repurposed NPC as an insult for people who seem predictable, unoriginal, or who simply parrot what others say (i.e., lacking independent agency). The usage is common in youth/online culture and can be dismissive or dehumanizing; commentators note the insult has circulated online for years and was observed in some communities as early as around 2009. ([purewow.com](https://www.purewow.com/family/what-does-npc-mean-teen-tween-slang))