ChinaTalk Rainbow Farts: Chinese Internet Slang You Need to Know
Feb 13, 2022
Andrew Methven, author of the Slow Chinese Substack, dives into the colorful world of Chinese internet slang. He breaks down quirky phrases like 'rainbow farts' and reveals how gaming terms have crept into political discussions. The conversation uncovers the connection between slang and societal issues, including the evolution of language driven by social media. Methven also shares insights on the funny side of learning Chinese, highlighting valuable resources for language enthusiasts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Internet Slang in Official Discourse
- Chinese regulators use internet slang in official documents and speeches.
- This was observed with the term "shashu", meaning "killing customers", used to describe exploitative pricing practices.
Gaming Term Turned Political
- The term "dajie zou", originating from the game League of Legends, has entered Chinese political rhetoric.
- It now describes misleading foreign perceptions of China and criticizes state-owned companies.
Fast-Paced Language Evolution
- The Chinese internet slang evolves significantly faster than Western slang.
- This rapid evolution necessitates constant learning to keep up with current language trends.