LogFAQs > #986004351

A_Good_Boy posted...

You'd be surprised but a lot of seemingly silly internet slang is just old reappropriated AAVE.

I think it's interesting that pre-web Internet slang was Eurocentric, to the point of embracing archaic English (Vaxen, box/boxen, spam, Blinkenlights, kludge). But I'd say that was more influenced by D&D/LotR and renfest/SCA dorkiness than overt racism (not that I would downplay systemic exclusionary practices). But as the web gained popularity, you started getting more and more AAVE. First by yo-boys and gamerz, but eventually by authentic speakers. To the point where the internet is now at the "natural" state where urban slang trickles down to the mainstream.