How many times have you said “lowkey,” “fire,” or even “bro” today? Slang has become so integrated into our everyday language that it’s nearly impossible to track. The cause of their popularity can partly be attributed to the exceedingly rapid creation and evolution of these words and phrases, fueled by the instantaneous connection of various online media platforms.
During the 1900s, the use of slang terms like “gasser” (used to describe something outstanding) or “galoot” (a word for a foolish or awkward boy) rose and fell over several years or even decades. Now, because of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, new slang can explode into popularity and disappear within weeks. For example, phrases like “tomato girl summer” or “balletcore” briefly dominated social media feeds before vanishing into obscurity almost overnight.
Of course, language is supposed to change. It’s a living part of culture, adapting to the times and circumstances of the people who use it. Slang keeps language fresh, flexible, and creative, allowing people to express themselves in ways that feel authentic and new. Without change, language would grow stagnant and fail to reflect the world we live in.
Whilehile these shorthand expressions might seem like harmless jokes or casual ways to connect with friends, slang actually plays a deeper role in shaping how we perceive the world around us. Because slang tends to simplify complex emotions, experiences, and situations into catchy line-liners, it can influence our attention spans, empathy, and how we think about important topics. For instance, calling someone’s serious struggles “pick-me” behavior or just replying with “period” can unintentionally trivialize what they are going through. When we boil down real-life experiences into memes or trends, we sometimes lose the depth needed for meaningful understanding. Over time, constantly filtering reality through trendy phrases might weaken our ability to think critically and connect thoughtfully with others.
In addition to shaping our personal perceptions, slang also can create barriers between generations. Because most new slang spreads through platforms older generations use less frequently, it can form both a language gap and a cultural divide. When a parent or grandparent asks what “no cap” or “delulu” means, it’s a clear sign of how quickly language can evolve—and how easy it is to be left behind. These gaps can sometimes cause frustration or misunderstanding. In extreme cases, it can feel like speaking almost entirely different languages, making it harder to maintain close relationships across generations.
While keeping up with new slang is tough even for native speakers, it’s an even bigger hurdle for people learning English for the first time. For them, just getting a handle on basic vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure is already challenging. Constantly changing slang feels like the rules are shifting underneath them. On top of the words and phrases they learned in class, they have to figure out new expressions on the fly, most of which don’t appear in textbooks. This can make conversations confusing and leave new learners feeling isolated.
Additionally, there’s value in maintaining some degree of standardization. Without shared structures and common definitions, language can start to break down. If slang evolves too quickly or diverges too far from the core language, it can turn into an entirely different dialect, and with that comes even greater challenges to understanding and unity.
In the end, slang is a powerful force that reflects both our culture and our values. It connects people, creates identity, and shapes how we view ourselves and others. By being mindful of its influence, we can use language as a bridge rather than a barrier and make sure it continues to bring us together rather than push us apart.