Joining the conversation is Alexandra Botti, a talented producer and linguist known for her insights into language evolution. She shares her fascinating experiences at the American Dialect Society's word-of-the-year vote. The trio dives into quirky nominations like 'Burrito Taxi' and 'raw dogging,' showcasing how pop culture shapes language. They also discuss contemporary trends like 'brain rot' and predict next year's slang inspired by online platforms. Get ready to laugh and learn about the dynamic world of internet vocab!
The podcast highlights how internet culture accelerates language evolution, exemplified by the diverse meanings of 'cooked' in modern contexts.
A critical discussion on the appropriation of words like 'woke' underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting their original meanings.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Internet Language
The podcast addresses how internet culture has significantly influenced language development, particularly with the emergence of new words. Linguists emphasize that language has been evolving alongside humanity, but the internet has accelerated and made this change more visible. The discussion highlights the joy linguists find in documenting language change, including words that originate within online communities. Examples such as 'cooked', which has dual meanings of both positive and negative connotations, illustrate the intricate ways language adapts to modern experiences.
American Dialect Society's Word of the Year
The American Dialect Society's annual selection of the Word of the Year showcases the intersection of language and contemporary culture. The conversation reveals that this year's winner is 'raw dogging,' a term that originally referred to engaging in unprotected sex, but has now expanded to describe tackling challenges without any support. The linguists involved in the voting process reflect a diverse group, celebrating language creativity and tracking its evolution. Such words not only mirror societal changes but also highlight the influence of social media and online interactions in shaping modern vernacular.
Cultural Appropriation in Language
The discussion touches on the potential pitfalls of word usage, particularly when words originating from marginalized communities are appropriated without proper context or understanding. The example of the term 'woke' illustrates how its original significance connected to social justice has been diluted and misappropriated in various narratives. This cultural appropriation raises important questions about respectful language use and recognition of the origins of certain terms. The hosts stress the need for awareness and appreciation of language roots to foster genuine understanding rather than superficial adoption.
Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by ICYMI producer (and resident linguist) Alexandra Botti, who shares her experience attending the American Dialect Society’s words-of-the-year vote. Then, Candice and Kate break down 2024’s winners (the WOTYs), and predict what internet words we’ll be seeing in 2025.
This podcast is produced by Alexandra Botti, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay.