2010-born Gen Alpha children develop unique slang language on TikTok and Twitch.

Gen Alpha children born after 2010 are developing a unique slang language, causing confusion for their parents and older generations. Terms such as "sigma," "gyatt," and "fanum tax" are among those that have emerged, with some children admitting they don't even know the true meaning behind the words themselves. TikTok and video-game-focused live streaming app Twitch are major platforms for the distribution and popularization of this new slang language, with many of the terms originating there. Linguist Adam Aleksic explains that the purpose of any slang is for elders not to know the meaning, as part of the appeal and to keep the "vibe" alive. The rapidly evolving nature of internet slang means that the words, like previous generations' "yeet" and "bae", are expected to have an expiration date and be replaced by new words in the coming years.

August 12, 2024
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