The word "goat" has two main meanings depending on context:
- Literally, a goat is an animal related to sheep, usually with horns and a beard, living wild on mountains or kept as livestock
- In slang, especially in all capital letters as "G.O.A.T.," it stands for "Greatest Of All Time." This acronym is used to praise someone or something considered the best ever in their field, such as athletes, musicians, or other public figures
. For example, calling Michael Jordan the G.O.A.T. means he is regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time
The slang usage originated from boxer Muhammad Ali, who was called "The Greatest," later extended to "Greatest of All Time," and popularized in culture including music
. On social media, the goat emoji š is often used to signify this meaning as well
. In summary, "goat" can mean the animal or, as slang "G.O.A.T.," it means the greatest of all time in a particular domain
