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Meet Polyester: Gen Zs new way to call you fake

What does "polyester" mean on TikTok? Gen Z’s latest insult describes anything cheap, generic, or inauthentic.

Meet Polyester: Gen Zs new way to call you fake

Gen Z is using the term "polyester" to describe anything that feels fake, cheap, or low-effort. The insult comes from the synthetic fiber's reputation for being associated with fast fashion and disposable products. It started as a term for flashy but cheaply made TikTok videos featuring characters like Spider-Man and Iron Man. The insult has since spread to other online contexts, becoming a shorthand for anything perceived as manufactured or inauthentic.

Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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