The trend of sharing inside jokes and unique slang with loved ones on TikTok has become popular, with best friends, siblings, and couples participating. Known as “friend dictionaries,” these shared languages showcase the special connections people have with those closest to them. Videos feature duos testing each other on their slang, with each person guessing the term the other writes down. One pair of sisters, Chelsea Lefkowitz and Amanda Paige, posted videos of themselves guessing their unique slang, receiving over 11 million views. Some of their viewers’ favorite terms included “nosetta” for a nosy person and “projectile committed” for plans that are impossible to cancel.
Nicole Holliday, assistant professor of linguistics at Pomona College, explains that inside jokes and slang among close groups of people are common, serving as a way to establish closeness and shared experiences within a community. These unique language patterns also evoke feelings of nostalgia and remind individuals of the experiences they have shared with their loved ones, fostering a sense of connection and closeness. Holliday notes that the trend on TikTok resonates with people because it highlights the bond they share with their family and friends, particularly during a time of increased loneliness and isolation following Covid-19 lockdowns.
Couples content creators on TikTok, Jedson Tavernier and Jade Smith, have participated in the trend, garnering over 19 million views on their videos. Viewers appreciated their use of funny voices, accents, and slang, which many found relatable to their own relationships. Tavernier and Smith believe that the trend is humanizing and relatable, breaking down barriers and reminding audiences that creators are just like everyone else. Smith emphasizes that the trend showcases the universal experience of having a shared language with loved ones, highlighting the humor and humanity in these unique connections.
The trend of sharing inside jokes and unique slang with loved ones on TikTok has become popular, with best friends, siblings, and couples participating. Known as “friend dictionaries,” these shared languages showcase the special connections people have with those closest to them. Videos feature duos testing each other on their slang, with each person guessing the term the other writes down. One pair of sisters, Chelsea Lefkowitz and Amanda Paige, posted videos of themselves guessing their unique slang, receiving over 11 million views. Some of their viewers’ favorite terms included “nosetta” for a nosy person and “projectile committed” for plans that are impossible to cancel.
Nicole Holliday, assistant professor of linguistics at Pomona College, explains that inside jokes and slang among close groups of people are common, serving as a way to establish closeness and shared experiences within a community. These unique language patterns also evoke feelings of nostalgia and remind individuals of the experiences they have shared with their loved ones, fostering a sense of connection and closeness. Holliday notes that the trend on TikTok resonates with people because it highlights the bond they share with their family and friends, particularly during a time of increased loneliness and isolation following Covid-19 lockdowns.
Couples content creators on TikTok, Jedson Tavernier and Jade Smith, have participated in the trend, garnering over 19 million views on their videos. Viewers appreciated their use of funny voices, accents, and slang, which many found relatable to their own relationships. Tavernier and Smith believe that the trend is humanizing and relatable, breaking down barriers and reminding audiences that creators are just like everyone else. Smith emphasizes that the trend showcases the universal experience of having a shared language with loved ones, highlighting the humor and humanity in these unique connections.
