The Roman Empire

Definition

A metaphor for a topic, often niche or seemingly random, that an individual (stereotypically a man) thinks about frequently and in great detail, unbeknownst to others. It represents a personal, deep-seated obsession or recurring thought pattern.

Examples

• I asked my boyfriend what his Roman Empire is, and he said it's the logistics of building the pyramids.
• My personal Roman Empire is the unresolved plotline from that TV show that ended ten years ago.
• She's talking about the history of fountain pens again. That's her Roman Empire.

Origin & Context

Exploded in popularity from a viral TikTok trend in late 2023 where people asked their male partners how often they think about the Roman Empire. The surprisingly frequent answer turned the phrase into a meme and then into a broader slang term for any topic of frequent, private contemplation.

For Parents & Educators

None needed. It's a lighthearted term.