What is "first world problem"

alt. a frustration or complaint only experienced by privileged individuals in wealthy countries n. a frustration or complaint only experienced by privileged individuals in wealthy countries

First World problem is a slang term used to refer to issues in First World nations that are complained about only because of the absence of more pressing concerns. The term was added to the Oxford Dictionary Online in November 2012, and to the Macquarie Dictionary Online in December 2012.

The term "First World problem" first appeared in 1979 in G.K. Payne's work Built Environment, but gained recognition as an internet meme beginning in 2005, particularly on social networking sites like Twitter (where it became a popular hashtag). The term is used to minimize complaints about trivial issues by shaming the complainer, or as good-humored self-deprecation. UNICEF NZ conducted a survey of First World problems in New Zealand, finding slow web access to be the most common.