100 Years of Slang in America By Toby Unterfranz

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Each decade brings its own lingo. Jazz gave rise to “hep cat” and “gig” in the early 20th century; the Depression and WWII era passed along terms born of hardship and solidarity. Fast-forward to the 1980s, and you find “yuppie” capturing a socioeconomic phenomenon; today, internet slang like “viral” or “meme” dominates. These linguistic shifts capture not only popular culture but also 100 Years of Slang in America By Toby Unterfranz broader social trends. Language is deeply tied to identity, and slang plays a big role—especially in groups that rely on it for expression and solidarity.