Words used by “Generation Alpha”, the generation of children born after 2009, can be perplexing. Living anywhere outside of certain ironic and surreal corners of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, one may be utterly confused by terms like “skibidi”, “sigma”, or “negative aura”. It’s all too easy to dismiss these expressions as nonsensical, but in fact, slang and colloquialisms play an important role in language and culture. Oftentimes, these words are rooted in a longstanding tradition of linguistic innovation. Over time, slang has continuously evolved, reflecting cultural shifts and the needs of different groups at different times.
Many contemporary terms, such as “slay”, “ate”, “based”, and “Karen”, share roots in marginalized communities, which have historically used colloquialisms for different purposes. For one, colloquialisms allow for cultural expression in a way that reflects the group’s unique experiences and values. The dialect Polari, used by the British queer community in the 60s, served as a covert means of communication amidst strict anti-homosexuality laws.
Polari seemed nonsensical to most outsiders, a common greeting was “bona to vada your dolly old eek.” However, it was crucial for fostering in-group status, allowing queer people to enjoy solidarity and safety within a hostile environment. Though Polari has largely fallen out of use, some words like “tea,” and “shade,” have broken into the mainstream.
Since the advent of the internet, informal language has been developing and subsequently falling out of fashion at breakneck speed. “(Slang) just changes so fast. There’s a new word every week,” said Berkeley High School freshman Giada Jones. Social media causes brand-new words to feel outdated in a matter of weeks. “There was a point where everyone used to use the word ‘slay,’” BHS freshman Lucy Chasnow said, “That has become very cringey.” In 2024, it takes little for a word to become popular: consider the word “demure,” which exploded in usage just a few weeks ago because of a single 38 second video posted on TikTok by user Jools Lebron. Despite only being widely used for about a month, the term is already becoming passé.
Though the way slang forms has changed drastically over the last few years, it continues to serve the same purpose. Young people still use slang to show belonging and communicate in secret about topics unsuited for the ears of their parents. Older people also use slang to communicate with people who grew up at the same time and find community. “It’s a way of locating yourself in time,” Universal Ninth Grade english teacher Zia Grossman-Vendrillo said. Though she does not entirely understand every word her students use, she thinks its important not to minimize the usefulness and originality of slang. “It’s important for adults to not belittle those words. They’re creative and cool,” Grossman-Vendrillo said.