Algo Speak and the Linguistics of Internet Slang: How Memes Shape Language

Short Summary

In this Science Quickly episode, Alison Parshall hosts a conversation with linguist Adam Alexi, author of Algo Speak, about how viral slang on the internet mirrors long-standing language patterns rather than degrading brains. The discussion explores how memes travel at unprecedented speeds, the distinction between niche slang and stock phrases, and the way algorithmic feeds amplify certain words and phrases to shape everyday speech. Alexi argues that what seems like meaningless gibberish actually reveals universal linguistic dynamics—speed, scale, and social signaling—driven by human needs to join in groups, parody culture, and express shared experiences.

The episode covers early slang from Vine and Reddit, the mitochondria meme as a self-referential in-group joke, the concept of context collapse, and the idea that language evolves through cultural interaction rather than brain rot. It also delves into how people use words to resist algorithmic curation and how boundaries between high and low art remain a human, social phenomenon rather than a neurological threat.

Introduction and the Scope of Algo Speak

The episode revisits Adam Alexi, the linguist behind the term Algo Speak, and discusses how social media accelerates language evolution. Rather than viewing internet slang as degradation, the conversation frames memes as rapid, systemic expressions of age-old linguistic patterns—just on a faster, global stage. The host and guest emphasize that language is always a social tool for belonging, signaling group identity, and negotiating culture, with the internet simply changing the tempo and the scale.

From Vine to Reddit: The Early Pathways of Slang

Alexi describes his formative internet experiences with Reddit and Vine, where words and phrases like on fleek, bay, fam, and ye circulated quickly. He notes how 4chan terms spilled into Reddit and how etymology and word origins can reveal how memes propagate. The discussion highlights that early viral slang offered a practical laboratory for observing how language shifts in real time, a process that continues at increasing speed in contemporary platforms.

Mitochondria and Brain Rot: Stock Phrases, Parody, and Social Signals

The conversation turns to stock phrases that appear across media, such as mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, which has become a humorous mirror of mass culture. This is described as a time-honored linguistic process, with brain rot serving as a satirical frame for algorithmically driven repetition. The guests argue that the humor stems from shared cultural backgrounds and in-group knowledge, not from neurological decline, and that this in-group signaling is a constant across eras and communities.

"Words don't rot your brain" - Adam Alexi, linguist and author

Algo Speak, Censorship, and the Viral Metaphor

The term algo speak is discussed as a strategy for bypassing censorship and turning keywords into metadata that fuels engagement. The bop meme, now associated with OnlyFans creators in certain online contexts, illustrates how words can shift meaning as influencers and algorithmic feedback loops promote certain interpretations. The discussion stresses that such shifts reflect meme dynamics and cultural coding rather than intentional deceit.

Context Collapse and the In-Group Dynamics of Language

The host and guest examine context collapse, where a word’s source and audience blur in online sharing. They discuss the ballroom origins of terms like slay and how algorithmic distribution can detach the word from its original social setting, leading to broader but shallower adoption. This phenomenon demonstrates how language travels through networks while retaining or altering its sociocultural meanings.

Resistance, Boundaries, and Living with the Algorithm

The conversation closes with reflections on resisting algorithmic oversaturation through creativity, lateral thinking, and boundary setting. Brain rot is framed as a form of cultural commentary rather than a threat, and the speakers acknowledge the necessity of engaging with algorithms responsibly while safeguarding personal expression. They suggest that the ongoing evolution of slang will continue to reflect human social needs for connection and identity within digital cultures.

"Brain rot is poking fun at algorithmic oversaturation" - Adam Alexi, linguist and author