Tome And Plume: Social Media Slang Adds Tang To Your Language, But Caution Is Necessary
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place— George Bernard Shaw Social media has changed our language. But if parents and teachers of the previous generations heard or saw such language, they would have created a hue and cry. Similarly, such language would have shocked the editors of English newspapers of yesteryears. For example,…
The rapid growth of social media has significantly altered the way we communicate, introducing a plethora of new slang terms and expressions that can be perplexing to those who grew up without them. While some of these terms, such as "Jai Ho" and "guru," have been embraced by mainstream English dictionaries, many others are considered informal and may even be met with disapproval from traditionalists.
Terms like "praught" (the past tense of "preach") and "-trashposting" (posting undesirable or worthless content) are examples of this divide.
Nevertheless, these slang words have found their way into various aspects of life, from classrooms and offices to online platforms, with many originating from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Words such as "low-key," "goated," and "crash out" have become commonplace, signifying terms like "quietly," "the greatest of all time," and "to fall asleep quickly," respectively.
Acronyms like "GOAT" (used to denote someone or something exceptional) and phrases like "TED Talk" (a concise, impactful presentation) have also gained popularity, reflecting the evolving nature of language in the digital age. Expressions like "aura points" and "aura farming" are used to describe someone's charisma and efforts to project a certain image, respectively.
The term "rage bait" has garnered attention in recent years, referring to content deliberately crafted to provoke strong emotional reactions, such as outrage. Meanwhile, the word "rizz," a shortened version of charisma, has become popular on social media, describing one's ability to attract or flatter others. This term gained significant traction in 2023, earning a spot in the Oxford English Dictionary as the "word of the year."
While it is natural for language to evolve over time, it is essential for users of social media to be mindful of the impact these new terms might have on formal writing and communication. Striking a balance between embracing linguistic innovation and maintaining clarity in written expression remains a challenge for many.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
