I’d like to begin by saying I’m no linguist. However, I’ve come to notice that memes and expressions are pretty similar.
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Expressions are sentences (or sometimes just words) that are repeated, with their own meaning and backstory.
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Internet memes can be an image, a sentence or a behaviour that is spread through the internet.
I know it can easily be explained by the fact that cultures spread, but it’s more the repetitive nature of both that got me curious. Are they related in some way?
I think that this similarity is because both are subjected to the same type of evolution: you’re exposed to the [fixed expression / meme], then as you reproduce it you’re also exposing other people to the same thing. This cycle might continue indefinitely, or the thing might go extinct due to some external pressure against it; for example, competition with other [fixed expressions / memes] that seem to be more meaningful for that target audience.
(In the case of fixed expressions, there’s another possible outcome: univerbation. The expression becomes a single word, and is treated as such by the speakers.)
It’s also worth noting that memes are a form of communication. It might not be completely linguistic (as a good meme involves imagery), but it’s still close.
[This is such a weird topic. I love it.]
It just hit me, but would gen Alpha slangs be more memes or expressions (Skibidi, Ohio, rizz, gyatt, etc.)?
I’m also really sorry about this 😅
Most of those aren’t expressions because they’re typically a single word each. They’re instead neologisms (skibidi, rizz), interdialectal borrowings (gyatt - it’s from AAVE, but apparently used even in other dialects), or giving a new meaning to an old word (Ohio).
I guess they could be also considered internet memes? I’m not sure.
Don’t feel sorry for that. This comm is about language and its science, and this includes the relation between linguistic phenomena (like expressions) and other stuff, so your question is completely on-topic.