TikTok’s latest slang, ‘yapping,’ captures the essence of endless chatter in the digital age

The digital landscape is ever-evolving, with new trends and terminologies emerging constantly. One such term that has recently gained traction on TikTok is “yapping.” Rooted in an age-old penchant for conversation, ‘yapping’ is being embraced by the TikTok community to describe the act of talking at length, often about matters of trivial importance. This modern parlance gives a fresh twist to the timeless human behaviour of being loquacious.

According to Taylor-Nicole Limas, a 27-year-old influencer and self-identified yapper from Chicago, the term ‘yapper’ refers to individuals who tend to over-share or talk excessively just to fill silence. TikTok users have started marking their videos with this label, either to share lengthy monologues on subjects they are passionate about or to engage in extensive rants. While the term ‘yapper’ in comments might not always be flattering, it underscores the platform’s foundational element: conversation.

TikTok’s recent shift towards longer video formats, allowing uploads of up to 10 minutes and testing even 30-minute videos, has further fueled the trend of ‘yapping.’ This move aligns with TikTok’s strategy to accommodate more detailed and extensive content sharing, reminiscent of YouTube’s long-standing model that favours lengthier videos for increased ad revenue potential.

Historically, ‘yap’ traces back to the early 17th century, initially used to describe the barking sounds of small dogs. The application of this term to human chatter, especially on social media, mirrors its pejorative connotations. However, some content creators are reclaiming ‘yapper’ as a positive identifier, challenging gendered stereotypes associated with talkativeness, particularly among women. Influencer Taylor-Nicole Limas views ‘yapping’ as an empowering act, suggesting that being talkative should be celebrated rather than criticized.

Despite its burgeoning popularity, linguistic experts predict the term ‘yapping’ may have a fleeting existence in the fast-paced world of social media slang. As new terminologies continually emerge and fade, the cycle of adopting and discarding slang reflects the dynamic nature of digital communication. Yet, for now, ‘yapping’ stands as a testament to TikTok’s ever-evolving language and its community’s creative engagement with the platform’s expanding capabilities for expression.

As TikTok continues to shape and be shaped by its users’ innovative ways of interaction, ‘yapping’ exemplifies how digital communities can breathe new life into old practices, transforming them into trends that capture the zeitgeist of the moment.