Why is the Iteration Speed of Internet Buzzwords So Fast? Is Using These Words a Pursuit of Identity?
Hello, that's an excellent question—it really gets to the heart of internet culture. As someone who's been navigating the online world for over a decade, let me share my thoughts.
Part 1: Why Do Internet Buzzwords Change So Fast? It’s Like Flipping Pages!
Think of the internet as a massive, 24/7 "giant teahouse" with hundreds of millions of people online simultaneously. In such an environment, trends emerge and fade rapidly, mainly for these reasons:
1. The Internet’s "Accelerator" Effect 🚀
In the past, for a meme (like a joke or witty phrase) to go viral, it relied on newspapers or TV—a slow, lengthy chain of transmission. But now?
- Lightning-Fast Spread: An amusing screenshot or a clever comment can go viral across platforms like Weibo, Douyin, Bilibili, or WeChat Moments within hours. Information flows without physical barriers, spreading at an exponential pace.
- Information Overload: The sheer volume of content generated daily is staggering. With limited attention spans, new, funnier, and catchier phrases constantly emerge to grab your focus, pushing older ones into obscurity.
It’s like fast fashion—always fresh styles to keep you hooked, making last month’s purchases feel "outdated" by next month.
2. Netizens’ "Meme-Making" Frenzy 🥳
Creating and using buzzwords is entertainment in itself.
- Low-Cost Fun: No money or special skills needed. With a bit of creativity, repurposing a common word (like "绝了" / "amazing") or combining unrelated characters (like "yyds" / "eternally god-like") can spark a viral sensation. The sense of participation and creation is inherently enjoyable.
- "Everything Can Be a Meme": Social events, hit TV shows, game glitches, even typos can birth the next big phrase. With an infinite pool of material, the "supply" of new buzzwords never dries up.
3. Commercialization: "Ripening" and "Killing" Trends 🔪
What happens when a word blows up?
Brands, influencers, and mainstream media jump on it, saturating every corner to ride the wave. It’s like that cool indie band suddenly playing in your local supermarket’s discount ads.
This overexposure strips the word of its original edge and cool factor, turning it "cringey" or "mainstream." To reclaim uniqueness, early adopters ditch it and hunt for—or create—the next insider "code."
4. The "Expiry Date" of Hot Topics 📅
Many buzzwords emerge alongside specific events. Take "打工人" ("laborer"), which resonated with a social mood. As new sentiments arise or discussions fatigue, fresh vocabulary takes over. Hot topics have lifecycles, and the buzzwords tied to them come with a built-in "expiry date."
Part 2: Is Using These Words About Seeking Identity?
Short answer: Yes, largely.
This isn’t new. It’s like school cliques using coded "slang" others can’t understand.
1. An Invisible "Circle" Membership Card 🎟️
The internet gathers people with shared interests (gamers, fans, anime lovers, content creator followers, etc.), forming distinct "circles" (or subcultures).
Within these circles, using specific buzzwords is like "exchanging a secret handshake."
- Say "启动!" ("Initiate!"), and Genshin Impact players instantly get it.
- Drop "刀了" ("stabbed"), and fans of tragic dramas know you’re referencing heartbreak.
Using the right code signals "you’re one of us," building instant rapport and belonging. Outsiders left confused? That naturally draws the line between "in" and "out."
2. A Label for "Youth" and "Trendiness" 🏷️
Language has generational gaps. Fluency in the latest online slang, especially socially, subtly declares: "I’m not outdated; I’m current, I’m young (or young at heart)."
It’s social currency. Like wearing the hottest sneakers, it helps you blend into younger crowds, avoiding seeming "out." Conversely, using "ancient" slang (e.g., from 5–6 years ago) might get you labeled "just got internet access."
3. An Emotional "Shortcut" and Shared Resonance 🗣️
Sometimes, a simple buzzword perfectly captures a complex, nuanced feeling.
- To express "frustrated yet amused," "我真的会谢" ("I really will thank you" / sarcastic "thanks a lot") beats a long rant.
- To praise something as "indescribably great," "yyds" ("eternally god-like") is brutally efficient.
Using these words isn’t just self-expression—it’s seeking emotional resonance. Seeing others use the same phrase brings that "Ah, I’m not alone" feeling, reinforcing identity through shared understanding.
To Sum Up
The rapid turnover of internet buzzwords and the identity-seeking behind them are two sides of the same coin.
The craving to define circles, seek belonging, and assert individuality drives the constant cycle of ditching old words and coining new ones. And the internet’s "accelerator" makes this whirlwind even faster.
Sure, sometimes we use slang just because it’s fun or catchy. But subconsciously, these linguistic choices quietly shape and affirm each of our online identities.