Worklife with Adam Grant ReThinking: Demystifying Gen Alpha slang with Adam Aleksic
Jan 20, 2026
In this conversation, Adam Aleksic, a 24-year-old linguist and creator known as Etymology Nerd, breaks down the quirky slang of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. He reveals the intriguing origins of terms like "skibidi rizz" and "brain rot" while explaining how algorithms influence our communication. The duo quizzes each other on viral meme vocabulary and discusses how social media shapes language. Aleksic emphasizes the cultural significance of words and the challenges of seeding new terms, urging critical thinking about internet trends.
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Brain Rot Signals Algorithmic Feedback
- "Brain rot" memes act as reflexive signals pointing back to algorithmic trends and overuse.
- Creators adopt meaningless words because the algorithm amplifies trending terms, creating a feedback loop.
Origin Story Of "6-7"
- "6-7" arose from clip-farming where NBA players said it to get remixed into TikTok edits.
- Gen Alpha kids echo it as an absurd parody of existing in an algorithmic milieu.
TikTok As A New Personalized Medium
- TikTok differs because its pipeline combines many models and neural nets, producing a hyper-personalized "For You" page.
- Short-form video plus ML personalization made TikTok uniquely attention-grabbing and memetic.
