Why Are We All Saying “Presh” and “Gorg”?
Do you cringe every time someone says adorbs or delish? Be legit…you know you’ve caught yourself bragging about your perf vacay.
These playful little shortenings are everywhere, especially in social media, fashion, and pop culture circles. But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a trend. It’s a fascinating linguistic phenomenon that taps into deep patterns in how we use language. Let’s break it down, because obvi there’s a lot more going on here than just talking like a Kardash…
Clipping: One of the Oldest Tricks in the Language Book
In linguistics, shortening words like adorbs or fab falls under a process called clipping. Clipping happens when we chop off parts of a word — sometimes the end (ad from advertisement), sometimes the beginning (phone from telephone), sometimes both (flu from influenza).
It’s one of the oldest, most natural ways languages evolve. Why? Because humans are wired to optimize communication. We naturally streamline and simplify speech over time, especially when the meaning is still clear. Fun fact: even Latin had informal clipped words in daily use — and English is full of old shortenings we now take for granted (like lab, math, gym). So when you say gorg, you’re part of a centuries-long tradition!
Social Identity: Language Is a Badge
Here’s where it gets interesting: we don’t just shorten words to save time — we do it to signal who we are. Sociolinguists talk about in-group markers: the little ways we adjust our language to show we belong to a particular social group. Teens, influencers, gamers — every group develops its own slang, pronunciations, and inside jokes. When you say totes cray or amazeballs, you’re not just conveying information. You’re saying, I get the vibe here. I’m part of this cultural moment. I’m down. It’s the same reason why some slang fades when it gets too popular: once everyone uses it, it no longer marks you as “in.” That’s why trendy shortenings often burn bright and crash fast.
Playfulness: Language as a Toy
Humans love playing with sound — rhyming, exaggerating, bending words into funny shapes. Shortened words often come with a twist of humor or irony. Saying “That’s ridic” can carry a layer of mock-drama or playful exaggeration. Saying adorbs often pokes a little fun at how cute something is. We’re not just reducing; we’re stylizing. It’s about making language sparkle, bounce, or smirk — not just getting a point across.
Digital Culture: Speed and Space
Social media has poured gasoline on this trend. Platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and texting reward brevity. Character limits, fast-scrolling feeds, and quick-reply culture push people toward language that’s snappy, efficient, and easy to type. Shortenings like perf, vacay, and obvi fit perfectly into this compressed space. This doesn’t mean we’re bastardizing language (as some grammar purists might claim). We’re just adapting it to new environments — the same way people adjusted their speech to radio, telephone, or email in earlier eras.
Will These Words Stick?
Some shortenings eventually fade (on fleek, anyone?), but others become part of the permanent lexicon. Consider exam (from examination), fridge (from refrigerator), or blog (from weblog). All started as informal shortenings, but they’re now standard. So while adorbs might still feel trendy, it’s possible that future dictionaries will treat it just like gym or photo — a totally normal word.
We’re All Linguists at Heart
Language isn’t just about rules; it’s about creativity, connection, and constant reinvention. So go ahead — have a delish brunch with a gorg view in that fab outfit! You’re not just being trendy — you’re taking part in the wild, wonderful, ever-evolving dance of human communication. And honestly? That’s kind of amazeballs!
Say Less, Sound Fab: A Glossary of Legit Clipped Words
adorbs → adorable
gorg → gorgeous
glam → glamorous
presh → precious
totes → totally
delish → delicious
sitch → situation
obvi → obviously
fab → fabulous
inspo → inspiration
vacay → vacation
legit → legitimate
probs → probably
natch → naturally
vibes → vibrations / mood
posi → positive
fash → fashion