I'm getting steamed

Honestly, do you people in the 21st century never read?

I keep hearing, "What is steampunk?"

Have you not read such illustrious authors such as H. G. Wells and Jules Verne? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?

No? How about L. Frank Baum?

According to Wikipedia:

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history. 

Steampunk as a genre has been around for years, but it didn't get its name until 1987 when author K.W. Jeter wrote Locus magazine,

Dear Locus,

...Personally, I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of the era; like "steampunks", perhaps...

K.W. Jeter

Now, gosh darn it all (and I use that bold language only because I'm getting, well, "steamed") go read something, even if it's a graphic novel or comic book.

You'll be amazed at what you've been missing.