Kids growing up in the modern generation have become accustomed to using slang. Our increased internet usage, combined with our deep-rooted desire to fit in, is a primary cause of the rise in “Gen-Z slang” or “TikTok language.”

Many people are familiar with at least one of these words or phrases: bae, finna, lowkey/highkey, (no) cap, salty, trippin‘, woke, sus, period, bet, clap back, it’s giving, outta pocket, spill the tea, slay, ghost, rizz, dope, fly, bling, drip, da bomb, go off, side-eye, fam, ion, ghetto, shook, snatched, lit, and pressed. Unfortunately, many are less familiar with the fact that much of this language originates from African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

AAVE is a distinct, rule-governed dialect of American English. It is spoken primarily by working- and middle-class Black Americans, and it developed from contact between enslaved West Africans and European settlers on 17th-century plantations. However, the exact origins of AAVE continue to divide linguists into two main schools of thought.

One of these is the Creole Hypothesis, which proposes that AAVE began as a pidgin or creole that blended English with various West African languages, allowing enslaved people from diverse linguistic backgrounds to communicate. Many linguists believe that, over time, this creole gradually converged with Standard English.

The other is the Dialect Hypothesis, which proposes that AAVE originated from the English dialects spoken by early European indentured servants and British colonists. Enslaved Africans then acquired and adapted these dialects, eventually shaping them into a distinct variety of English.

The Great Migration during the early 20th century brought millions of Black Americans from the rural South to urban centers in the North and West, including cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles. As communities spread across the country, AAVE continued to evolve and develop diverse regional variations.

All of this, of course, brings us to today. With the rise of the internet, AAVE-and Black queer vernacular-has become one of the primary driving forces behind mainstream internet slang. It is important, however, to understand the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. It is one thing for Black creators to popularize and amplify these words and phrases; it is another for audiences unfamiliar with their origins to assume they are simply internet slang.

Stigma and discrimination still exist in both professional and everyday settings against the very dialect that often goes viral online. As more cultures gain visibility through the internet, it is important to recognize the significance of the languages, traditions, and histories behind the trends we consume. While there is nothing inherently wrong with adopting words or phrases from different communities, problems arise when people enjoy the products of a culture without acknowledging or respecting the people who created them. AAVE is a legitimate dialect with a rich history rooted in resilience, creativity, and community.

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