Yubo’s Got the Rizz: Translating Your Teens’ Talk on Social Media
Oxford's word of the year embraces Gen Z slang, commonly used on social media platforms like Yubo, the live social discovery app.
In a nod to youth culture and the constantly evolving landscape of online communication, Oxford University Press has crowned "rizz," short for charisma, as its word of the year for 2023. This choice marks a significant shift in the linguistic arena, highlighting the powerful influence of social media, particularly among Generation Z users, who make up 99% of the users on Yubo. This live social discovery app has become a hotbed for such contemporary jargon.
Originating from urban lexicons and catapulted into mainstream usage via platforms like TikTok and Yubo, rizz is more than just a word; it's a cultural phenomenon. It encapsulates a unique blend of je ne se quoi and social adeptness, especially in the context of romantic interactions. The term's skyrocketing popularity among Gen Z users underscores their penchant for creating and popularizing new slang, a testament to their dynamic role in shaping modern language.
According to Oxford University Press, rizz is defined as style, charm, or attractiveness. It’s thought to be a shortened form of the word "charisma." The word can also be used as a verb in sayings such as "to rizz up," which means to attract or chat someone up. Other words in the running for the top honor included “Swiftie,” “prompt,” “beige flag,” and “situationship” — respectively, a fan of singer Taylor Swift, instructions given to artificial intelligence, a partner’s boring character trait that’s not as bad as a “red flag,” and an informal relationship.
Oxford's Word of the Year: A Brief History
The Oxford English Dictionary has a tradition of selecting a word of the year since the early 2000s. This choice reflects the prevailing moods, trends, and events of the previous 12 months. Past selections have included “vape” (2014), “post-truth” (2016), and “climate emergency” (2019). The inclusion of rizz in 2023 is a nod to the growing impact of digital culture and young people's influence on language.
While rizz leads the charge, it's part of a broader tapestry of slang that dominates Gen Z's communication, especially on platforms like Yubo. Words like salty (upset or bitter), lit (amazing or exciting), and ghosting (the act of suddenly stopping all communication with someone) are common in their vernacular. This language evolution is not just about new words, but also about new ways of expressing identity, emotions, and social dynamics in the digital age.
Yubo: The Epicenter of Youth Language Trends
Social media is more than a tool; it’s a fundamental part of how Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) interacts with the world. Having come of age in a world where the internet, smartphones, and social networks are the norm, these platforms are as integral to their lives as television or radio were to previous generations. Social media isn’t an add-on or a novelty; it's a primary means of communication, learning, and entertainment, which is why 58% of people in the Gen Z category spend four or more hours daily on social media platforms.
Gen Z members crave authenticity. They’re drawn to content that feels genuine and relatable. Social media allows them to connect with communities that share their interests, values, and experiences, regardless of geographical boundaries. This sense of belonging and connection is a powerful draw, offering support, understanding, and shared purpose.
Yubo stands out as a unique platform that's capturing the hearts of Generation Z because it offers a range of features that resonate deeply with the values and preferences of today's youth. Its role in popularizing rizz and similar terms cannot be understated.
The app, founded in 2015 by Sacha Lazimi, Jérémie Aouate, and Arthur Patora, started as a vision to create a space where young people could connect and socialize in a more interactive and authentic way than traditional social media. The founders wanted to build an app that went beyond the norms of curated posts and pictures, aiming instead for real-time interaction and community building.
The core idea behind Yubo was to create a “live social discovery” platform where users could meet new people, forge friendships, and engage in conversations through live video streams. This concept was particularly innovative, deviating from other social media platforms' text and image-based formats. The platform allowed for a more dynamic form of social interaction, mirroring the spontaneity of real-life conversations. Its unique focus on live interaction and community building quickly resonated with a younger demographic.
As a live social discovery app, it's a digital space where young people connect, share ideas, and develop their unique linguistic styles. The app's user base has been instrumental in taking these slang terms from niche online communities to global recognition.
Social media's influence on language is profound and far-reaching. Platforms like Yubo not only foster new slang but also facilitate its rapid spread across different cultures and geographies. This dynamic environment has led to an unprecedented rate of linguistic evolution, one that traditional dictionaries are racing to keep up with.
“Since the onset of Yubo, we’ve believed in being a platform where there is a space for everyone,” stated Lazimi, Yubo’s CEO. “It’s important that younger generations feel seen, accepted, and have methods of expressing themselves, especially in online and digital environments.”
The distinction between online and offline lives is increasingly blurred for Gen Z. Social media isn’t a separate space; it’s an extension of their physical lives. Friendships, relationships, and networks formed online are as real and meaningful as those in the “real” world. The integration of these worlds is seamless, with online interactions influencing offline behaviors and vice versa.
Yubo's core feature is its livestreaming capability, which allows users to create and join video chat rooms. Unlike other social media platforms where interactions are often asynchronous, its live element fosters real-time connections. This immediacy appeals to Gen Z’s desire for authentic, spontaneous interactions, making it a more engaging and personal experience than scrolling through a feed of curated posts.
The live social discovery app takes pride in its community-building features. Users can join chatrooms based on shared interests, whether gaming, music, or art, creating niches where like-minded individuals can connect and share experiences. This aspect particularly appeals to Gen Z, who value inclusivity and finding communities that resonate with their diverse interests and identities. Understanding the concerns of its young audience, the platform emphasizes safety.
The selection of rizz as the word of the year is more than just an acknowledgment of a popular term; it's a recognition of the powerful role that young people and digital platforms play in shaping our language and culture.
