AlgoSpeak

The general take

Robert Evans cites Adam Aleksic's "AlgoSpeak" as a source for understanding how algorithmic censorship on social media has shaped internet slang and real-world speech patterns. The book apparently dives into how these pressures altered the way people communicate, with Aleksic devoting significant attention to incel communities as a case study.

About

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From linguist Adam Aleksic, known as @etymologynerd on social media, comes a captivating exploration of how internet algorithms are transforming language and communication in unprecedented ways. “Packed with fascinating facts, of-the-moment observations, and a sparkling voice, Algospeak is a gift to any word nerd. Deftly covering everything from emoji etymologies and trendbait to Taylor Swift fanilects... Adam Aleksic is the wise, yet accessible internet linguistics oracle we need.”—Amanda Montell, author of The Age of Magical Overthinking and Cultish From “brainrot” memes and incel slang to the trend of adding “-core” to different influencer aesthetics, the internet has ushered in an unprecedented linguistic upheaval. We’re entering an entirely new era of etymology, heralded by the invisible forces driving social media algorithms.

Who said what

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  Robert Evans💬 Mentioned

  …sourcing research about incel terminology and its spread through online communities

  “One of my sources for these episodes is the 2025 book Algo Speak by linguist Adam Aleksic. His book is broadly about internet slang and particularly how algorithmic censorship on social media has altered online speech patterns and how that has changed the way that people talk in the real world. He spends a lot of time, though, in his book talking about incels because it turns out they hit way above their weight class when it comes to linguistic influence.”

  Behind the Bastards — Part Two: From Elliott Rodger to Clavicular: The Story of Incel Evolutionat 35:29

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