About this episode
The episode explores the evolution of internet slang and its connections to recommendation algorithms and cultural appropriation.
How have recommendation algorithms affected language? Linguist Adam Aleksic — aka the Etymology Nerd — says most “Gen-Z slang” is either appropriated from Black people or incels. This week, we trace how -maxxing went from the eugenicist looksmaxxing subculture to trending TikToks to the Pentagon tweeting about “lethality maxxing.” And we ask what’s actually at stake when we use words without knowing where they come from. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
People in this episode
Guest: Adam Aleksic
Topics covered
- internet slang
- recommendation algorithms
- Gen-Z culture
- language evolution
- appropriation
- incels
- social media
Keywords
- internet slang
- Gen-Z
- language
- appropriation
- incels
- TikTok
- looksmaxxing
- eugenics
- Pentagon
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NPR, Pentagon
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