In 2024 five neologisms born on TikTok have officially entered the Italian vocabulary of Treccania sign of how the short video platform is profoundly influencing contemporary language.
After the phenomenon 2023 BookTokthe terms have come into common use this year creator, delulu, demure, POV And slayare. These neologisms, which have taken root among young people and beyond, reflect a change in the way of thinking and communicating, bringing with them new ways of expressing emotions, concepts and situations.
All thanks, we can say, to TikTok which has turned into a real one hotbed of languagea place where creativity is expressed in the form of short videos, often accompanied by sounds and trends that spread quickly.
Massimo Bray, general director of Treccani, underlined the importance of the platform as a “privileged observatory” to see these linguistic changes up close. The new methods of digital communication, fast and interactive, give life to expressions that are not limited to the online world but they also influence spoken and written language.
The meaning of the 5 neologisms
But we know you’re wondering: what do all these new terms mean? Now let’s explain.
- Creator has now become a common word: it is the person who, through his work or passion, create original contentmainly videos, for social media.
- Delulu defines who he lets himself be carried away by unrealizable fantasieshow to imagine romantic relationships with famous people or influencers.
- Demure indicates one elegant and reserved stylebut online it is often used ironically to make fun of those who display excessive composure.
- POVan acronym for “Point of View”, is a type of shot in which the creator of the content shows a subjective perspective to allow viewers to empathize.
- In the end slayare means excel at somethingdo an extraordinary job or an impressive performance.
These neologisms are not just words: they represent a reflection on social changes, interactivity and the immediacy of modern communication. TikTok has thus paved the way for a linguistic transformation that reflects speed and fluidity with which we communicate today, a phenomenon that has the power to unite different generations and influence global culture.
