Science Quickly ENCORE: Algorithmic Social Media Is Driving New Slang
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Jan 2, 2026 
Join linguist Adam Aleksic, the Etymology Nerd, as he dives into the fascinating world of internet slang and how it’s transformed by social media algorithms. Discover the origins of viral phrases like 'skibidi' and the concept of 'brain rot'—a cultural label rather than a linguistic shortcoming. Adam discusses how niche terms gain mainstream traction, the creative ways users evade censorship with words like 'bop,' and the ongoing battle between human creativity and algorithmic constraints in shaping language.
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Early Internet Taught Viral Mechanics
- Adam Aleksic learned viral mechanics on Reddit and used that to transition to making videos after college.
- Early internet communities taught him how memes and infographics spread and gain traction.
Meme That Crossed Platforms
- Allison Parshall recalls seeing memes like "mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell" spread from Tumblr to TikTok.
- Adam Aleksic explains such stock phrases become jokes because of cultural over-representation.
Algorithms Speed Familiar Language Processes
- Viral algorithmic feeds accelerate memetic competition, making certain phrases feel more prevalent.
- Aleksic argues these patterns mirror long-standing linguistic processes, only faster and larger in scale.
