Welcome to the World of Language Evolution in Los Angeles
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through TikTok and stumbling upon a video that left you a little confused yet amused? Picture this: an older person, maybe a baby boomer, clumsily picking apart the latest Gen Z slang. You might hear phrases like “Northumberland Zoo hits different,” “slay,” “no cap,” and even, “It’s giving literate.” Believe it or not, videos like these have exploded—there are nearly 4,000 such clips racking up millions of views. It’s almost too easy to feel the linguistic cringe creeping in, especially knowing that the moment an older crowd tries to adopt your lingo, it’s kind of over, right?
The Shift in Generational Language
While the characters in these videos can be amusing (let’s admit it, they’re a little cute!), they showcase a deeper cultural phenomenon hot on the heels of intergenerational banter and social media culture. The truth is, many of these catchphrases aren’t invented by Gen Z at all! Instead, terms like “It’s giving,” “slay,” and “serving” trace back decades, rooted deeply in Black and Latinx ball culture. They simply hit the mainstream thanks to platforms like RuPaul’s Drag Race which have introduced them to wider audiences.
And let’s not forget “rizz,” a term that got its big break as the Oxford English Dictionary’s word of the year for 2023. Although it seems fresh and trendy, when it’s plugged into something like the Royal Armouries marketing campaign, it feels a bit removed from its Twitch streaming origins, where creators like Kai Cenat popularized it.
The TikTok Trend
TikTok isn’t just a home for quirky dances or cooking hacks; it’s also a crash course in language evolution among generations. When the phrase “OK boomer” took off in 2019, it gave voice to the frustrations many young people hold about older generations looking down on them. Millennials, still weathering the chaos of modern life, were too fatigued to engage deeply with the generational tussles. But Gen Z? They weren’t afraid to speak their minds and take control of the digital narrative—sometimes even to the chagrin of Gen X.
When the younger folks started ribbing Gen X, something funny happened—Gen X proved to be a formidable opponent. Having grown up as “latchkey kids” who learned to fend for themselves, they come equipped with their own wit. So, while younger generations are getting their kicks with playful banter, the language dynamics are shifting and evolving online.
TikTok: A Hub of Cultural Exchange
Now, TikTok has bloomed into a hub where all generations convene, and if you want your insider lingo to stay private, well, good luck with that! Everyone is here, from Gen Zers to the now-TikTok-savvy boomers and Gen Xers, all sharing experience while playing fast and loose with language. If the old phrases are going to be borrowed, it certainly makes it harder to keep anything exclusive.
Is the Joke on Us?
Often, when older folks try to reenact younger lingo, the humor is hard to pin down. Who’s actually the target of the joke? While those snippets can be charming, they also lead to significant conversation about how language is shifting, and what that means for cultural authenticity.
Speaking of cultural conversations, the internet is buzzing with trending topics like songs that sound oddly familiar. Take that catchiness surrounding the “Diddy party” tune that users thought was performed by Justin Bieber. Turns out, it’s likely a creation by AI. Meanwhile, amidst all of TikTok’s linguistic playfulness, real-life stories ripple through, like the recent indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams that transformed sections of social media into a meme-fueled frenzy.
Bringing It All Together
Language is a living, breathing entity that flourishes, and sometimes gets a little muddied, in the realms of social media. As TikTok bridges the generational gap, it’s clear we’re witnessing a fascinating evolution in how we communicate. The mix of endearing humor and more profound insights has people from all walks of life logging on, making their voices heard, and possibly picking up some new phrases along the way.
So, next time you’re there scrolling away, just remember: every “slay” and “no cap” is more than the latest trend; it’s part of a much bigger conversation happening right before our eyes. With our shared humor and the colorful tapestry of phrases, who knows—our everyday words will keep shifting right along with us!
