The Internet Language of Gen Z

The Etymology Nerd Teaching Gen Z Why Words Matter

In recent years young people have become more aware and interested in the fields of  linguistics (the study of language) and etymology (the study of the origin and evolution of  words). One reason for this is the rise of social media creators like The Etymology Nerd. 

His real name is Adam Aleksic and he is not only a creator. He is a Harvard graduate who has  published articles in the Washington Post and delivered a TED Talk on etymology in social  media. Despite these accomplishments, he is best known as his social media persona, where  he creates educational videos for over 3 million people. He highlights how the language of  young people is changing due to the unique space of social media that is now deeply part of  their lives. 

He shows that etymology is more relevant than ever because slang and language changes  now spread rapidly and globally. Changes that once took years now happen overnight. 

How Social Media Is Changing the Way Young People Talk 

Adam Aleksic often discusses how groups use a unique way of talking to show they are ‘in  the know’ and to create an identity. When Gen Z creates and uses slang, older generations  can’t keep up, which strengthens their group identity. This encourages rapid innovation of  language not seen before social media. 

These slang words aren’t just words to young people. They can act like a secret code to feel  part of a group. When Gen Z creates slang so fast that older generations are left behind, it  reinforces their space. Aleksic wrote about this in the Washington Post, pointing out that the  skull emoji might mean death to older generations, but to Gen Z it means something is funny  or ironic. Some slang is shaped by platform rules. For example, TikTok banned the word ‘kill’,  so people began using ‘unalive’ instead. It became so popular that many now say it in real  life, unaware of where it came from. 

Social media slang has also entered global speech. Words like ‘rizz’ (romantic charisma), ‘based’ (unfiltered), and ‘vibe’(mood, energy) are now used worldwide, even by people who don’t speak English natively.

The Importance of Etymology: Hidden Risks

Aleksic often warns about the risks of language evolving through social media. One issue is  that content is fed by an algorithm. If young people pick up language based on what they’re  shown, companies can use it to market to them. Platform rules, like with ‘unalive’, can shape  language in the real world. 

Another concern is where slang comes from. If slang acts like a secret code, the groups  making it are often acting in secret. A harmful example is incel slang. Incels are misogynistic  communities linked to violent attacks. Despite that, slang like “-pilled” (having a specific ideological belief, often with negative connotations) has spread to Gen Z, though many of them don’t know its origin.

This also happens with marginalised groups. Many Gen Z words like ‘slay’ (do something very well), ‘queen’ (now genderless term of endearment), and ‘cooked’ (in trouble or “done for”) come from gay and black communities. These words were meant to build a safe  space, but once mainstream, their meaning is often diluted or misunderstood. 

Aleksic explores all of this in his book Algospeak and continues to educate the people who  need it most, using the same platforms where this language is spreading. 

In a time where words are changing more quickly than ever, it helps to know where they  come from.

written by Sean Furniss