In this episode of Ms. English, we explore the evolving landscape of language, focusing on the rise of Gen Z slang.
We'll uncover the origins and spread of popular slang, examining the major influence of Black culture and platforms like TikTok.
You'll also learn how geographic patterns on American Twitter reveal the role of cultural regions and African American English in driving new vocabulary. We'll discuss how teens use slang to reflect a world of collapsing institutions and growing distrust, and dive into the role young women play in leading linguistic change—despite often facing criticism.
Origins and Evolution of Gen Z Slang
Gen Z slang terms frequently originate in marginalized communities, including Black culture, the LGBTQ+ community, and the drag community. For example, the term "slay," meaning to do something very well, originated in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and was popularized through social media. Similarly, the word "snatched," used to describe a fierce appearance, originated in the Black drag community.
Social media plays a significant role in popularizing and spreading slang. As a digitally native generation, Gen Z's use of platforms like TikTok and Twitter has facilitated the rapid proliferation of these terms. This is evident in the evolution of terms like "main character," which originated from a TikTok trend, and "sus" which gained popularity through the game Among Us.
Gen Z slang often involves repurposing older terms. Words like "bet," a term of affirmation, and "vibing," meaning to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, can be traced back to the 1990s and 1960s respectively. However, Gen Z has adapted these terms to fit their own linguistic style.
Music is another significant influence, particularly hip-hop culture. Terms like "no cap," meaning "no lie," and "drip," referring to a fashionable style, have roots in the hip-hop scene. The term "understood the assignment," meaning to have executed something perfectly, was further popularized by American rapper Tay Money's song "The Assignment".
Linguistic processes such as coinage, borrowing, and blending contribute to the evolution of slang. Coinage involves inventing entirely new words, while borrowing takes words from other languages. For example, "bet" is derived from non-slang usage. Blending combines existing words to form new ones.
While some slang terms are short-lived, others become widely adopted and eventually enter mainstream language. For instance, "OK boomer," a dismissive term used towards older generations, has transcended generational boundaries and become a common phrase.
Teenage girls are often at the forefront of linguistic change. Though the sources do not explicitly link this to Gen Z slang, it is worth considering as a potential contributing factor.
The sources focus on American English slang, so these observations might not fully apply to Gen Z slang in other regions.
Overall, Gen Z slang is a dynamic and evolving language that reflects the generation's digital fluency, cultural influences, and desire for creative expression. While rooted in pre-existing linguistic features and slang from marginalized communities, Gen Z's unique experiences and online engagement continue to shape its ongoing evolution.
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