Welcome back y'all!
This week's Gen-Z Phrase of the Week:
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Definition:
An abbreviation of the word "family" but has evolved to
carry broader meanings beyond biological or immediate family members
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Context:
The origins of "fam" can be traced back to African
American Vernacular English (AAVE), where it emerged as a term of endearment and
camaraderie within African American communities.
Generally speaking, older Millennials may use this slang
term when talking about their actual families, but younger Millennials & Gen-Z
typically use it to describe a close-knit social circle, encompassing friends or even
loose acquaintances (akin to uses of “bro”, which similarly is short for “brother,”
but really refers to any friend).
Common phrases:
- “Say no more fam”
- “It’s lit fam”
- “Nah fam”
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(for legal
reasons, all names & events in the following scenario have been made
up)
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Natalee: “We
should go skydiving this weekend!”
Vishawl: “Nah
fam, I’m good. I actually value my life.”
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Fun
Fact:
Vending machines were invented in the 1st century by Heron
of Alexandria. But 1st century citizens in Alexandria were not buying potato chips or
soda - they were buying holy water. When a coin was dropped into a slot,
its weight would pull a cork out of a spigot and the machine would dispense a trickle
of holy water. Eventually, the coin would fall and the door would close,
ensuring that people never took more than their fair share of holy water. Modern
society didn’t really embrace his invention for about 1,800 years. Heron died
around 70 A.D.; it wasn’t until 1883, when inventor Percival Everett created a vending
machine for postcards and note paper, that Heron’s idea proved to have a lasting
impact.
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If anyone else is interested, they
can subscribe or view past newsletters at gen-z.email.
Cheers,
ZACH GEORGE
† Software Engineer
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