This was a fun and thought-provoking read—one that showcases just how flexible, dynamic, and quietly revolutionary language can be. Living in a world shaped by technology and constantly emerging concepts, I hadn’t realized how deeply I’ve internalized the language created to describe it all. Algospeak made me pause and reflect on how digital culture doesn’t just change what we say—it reshapes how we think, connect, and even censor ourselves.

Adam Aleksic, a linguist and popular TikTok creator known for unpacking internet language, brings a sharp and playful lens to the subject. His insights are clever and timely, and the book offers plenty of “aha” moments for anyone curious about the evolution of online speech.

This book is worthwhile read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of language, culture, and technology.

“Algospeak” was such an interesting read! I’ve always been interested in the origin of words and phrases and I’m often on social media (not to mention the fact that I live with a 16-year-old), so the language of the internet has always fascinated me. This book was a very in depth and informative look at the slang and language we as a society use on the internet. Not only the things we say, but the way we say them and why.

This book had me captivated the entire time I was reading and I found myself starting conversations with my little sister or my more online friends to further discuss what I had learned.

Some things felt a little rambling and repetitive, which is why I gave it 4 stars, but anyone with any interest in language should absolutely read this book.

Algospeak is what I never knew I wanted to know about social media and linguistics. As a language nerd, I found it fun to read about how social media language crosses over into our everyday life. The author does a wonderful job of explaining how trends in social media and the language we use impact our society as a whole. Overall, a fun, informative read for anyone who is interested in language or is a social media guru.

Algorithms are changing language at a rapid pace, but Aleksic frames it as the natural evolution of language, just sped up due to the global-reaching aspects of the internet. Both alarming and reassuring, this book shows how algorithms are funneling our language to a somewhat alarming extent, but also is keeping the same patterns as natural language has changed over time. A good read for both those interested in linguistics and algorithms.

This book was fascinating! Aleksic has such an interesting way of explaining linguistic habits and creations caused by social media. As a recent graduate in a Master's of Communication program and a chronically online individual, I was fascinated. Language as we know it has been completely altered by our online interactions. This book helped put this phenomenon into words.

This book is definitely more for people who live on (or at least USE) TikTok. Full disclosure, I have never download TikTok because I prefer to get sucked into books instead of doom scrolling. And I'll also be honest about how I only read about 55% of this book. The presentation of the topic was good, but it really seemed geared more towards TikTokers and YouTubers (neither of which I am). If you care about algorithms and knowing science behind the lingo and what makes TikTok ... tick (lol pun intended), then you should check this book out!

There are things I liked about this book. It does look at how quickly the buildup of social media and algorithms can shape social language. It also talks about how many of Aleksic's videos do well compared to others, which is a great way for the author to plug his Tik Tok page and get more revenue. I guess I expected more than a skimming of major words that have sunk into the zeitgeist of pop culture.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Have you ever really stopped and thought about how our English language has evolved? How it took so long for what we deem 'modern' English to get here, but now the post modern English literally evolves on a weekly basis? The cause- the internet, obviously, and more specifically the way we interact ON it, that changes the slang we use, the vernacular and the trends that somehow are in our modern dictionary within weeks of going global. I just finished binge watching the tv show Younger as I was reading this book, and I was struck by the analogies, of how the Millennial overtake of TikTok spurred the end of publishing as it had been known, and how that was mirrored in everything the book was discussing about how our language changed because of the app and its widespread use (highly recommending reading/watching both at same time!). While most of us have given a passing thought to how our language had become global vs secular, most of us haven't really pinpointed the how and why, and this book does just that. An interesting, easy to read history of our language and modern culture, put this one on the must read list!

What an original book, full of amazing insights! It caught my eye because I am interested in both linguistics and new technologies, but it would also be very useful for content creators, as it is full of useful tips. Fortunately, it is not a how-to-do guide but rather popular science as its best.

The author, a viral online personality, combines his expert knowledge with personal experience, peppering the book with historical fun facts and fresh examples. He delves deeply into the nature of algorithms and the inner workings of human languages.

It was genuinely fascinating to realize that many online phenomena are, at their core, nothing new—like minced oaths, euphemisms, and using depictions of fruit as sexual symbols.

His writing is accessible and witty. Despite many horrible stories about censorship and manipulation by big tech companies, I was delighted to find that it is an optimistic book at its core. As the author writes toward the end:

„Algorithms are yet another tool, and algospeak is a reflection of how we interact with that tool. We have all our new trend-bait and SEO keywords and euphemisms because that is how we are currently harnessing that tool and retracing our old linguistic footsteps. We have incel language and Swiftie language and generational labels as emergent outgrowths of that tool, evolving as our natural behaviors mesh with it over time.

We are creative, damn it. Our language, culture, and identity are inevitably molded by our environment, but we work through those molds to keep doing silly, ingenious things with language, because we’re resilient in our silliness and ingenuity. No matter what comes next, we’ll continue to be the same: succeeding as well in love as we do now.”

Thanks to the publisher, Knopf, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

As an English teacher who loves linguistics and etymology, this book is right up my alley. Super interesting! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Algospeak by Adam Aleksic caught my attention because I’ve always found language to be a fascinating topic. In the book, Aleksic explores how social media has influenced the way we communicate, and how algorithmic censorship has led to the creation of an entirely new form of language.

Reading it made me realize just how disconnected I am from some corners of social media—many of the terms and slang were completely foreign to me. It also raised an important question: are the “right” people shaping the future of our language? Aleksic points out how the terms that originated within specific subgroups have been co-opted or distorted, sometimes taking on negative connotations. This, combined with the way algorithms filter what we see, contributes to a kind of echo chamber that can influence not just language, but thought and behavior.

There were sections of the book that were truly engaging and held my full attention. However, I did find some repetition in the discussion of key concepts, without much new insight being added. That said, the book succeeds in raising awareness about the subtle but powerful forces shaping our language—and by extension, our thinking and actions.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#Algospeak, #AdamAleksic, #NetGalley

I read this courtesy Alfred A. Knopf and NetGalley. This was a delight. This is the kind of book that gets discussed over dinner and at parties and makes you wonder about how language is changing. Linguist Adam Aleksic goes over how social media and the internet are changing language by jumping through hoops to avoid algorithms, to start with. Aleksic shows how new slang comes about and either settles into society immediately, or burns bright and hot and then vanishes almost immediately, except as an afterthought (23 skidoo, anyone?). New words, new grammatical rules, and more changes the language in front of us, and it’s amazing to watch. This book tells you what you can expect, suggests what you might see, and makes language a wonder.
#Algospeak #NetGalley

I heard about this book through different TikTok video, and I from what I've read it's very informative. The fact that there is a book that can explain different language trends especially when trends come and go so quickly is very interesting. I can't wait until I have the book in my hands!

How much has social media changed the way we talk and behave?

That’s the question linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic sets out to answer in his debut book “Algospeak.”

If you already know what words like “yeet,” “rizz,” “brainrot” or “blackpilled” mean, some of this information might not come as a surprise to you. Still, Aleksic’s analysis reaffirms how this language came about and why it continues to proliferate. For those unfamiliar, it acts as an accessible entry point into social media slang and its evolution.

“Algospeak” touches on a wide array of topics, including in-groups and out-groups, censorship, language appropriation, extremism online, microtrends, clickbait and generational divides. The chapters build on each other with a textbook-level attention to vocabulary.

This book serves as a sobering reality check on how social media is affecting not just our speech, but our entire identities.
“Social media creates new identities in order to commodify them,” Aleksic writes in a chapter about microtrends and micro-labels. “Your decisions are now curated for you under the guise of personalization, while in reality they’re engineered to make platforms as much money as possible.”

As a self-proclaimed “etymology nerd,” Aleksic leans heavily into his experience as a content creator, providing a crash course into social media history and how to game the ever-changing and opaque “algorithm.” His tone is academic, yet approachable, and he’s bold but pragmatic in his assertions, exploring counterarguments sufficiently.


He identifies the transient nature of language and the algorithm immediately, since the cultural references in “Algospeak” risk expiring quickly as trends change and social media platforms shift — but that’s the point.

“‘The algorithm’ is here to stay. This is why I think it’s absolutely worth talking about even the most fleeting words,” Aleksic writes.
Aleksic’s writing feels personable and knowledgeable as he translates his online presence offline, and in doing so, demonstrates his own claims about parasocial relationships and owning one’s audience. Keeping up with the algorithmic cycle is portrayed as exhausting, but as a necessary evil for influencers supporting their livelihoods through social media.

“Algospeak” is a fascinating blend of etymology, psychology, cultural analysis and first-person perspective. The book acts as both a snapshot of our current, social media-imbued society and as an intellectual foundation for language developments to come.

Aleksic leaves his reader with questions about the threats and opportunities that stem from social media developments, but undeniably one principle is true: social media has breached containment and is influencing not only the way we talk, but the way we live.

“Algorithms are the culprits, influencers are the accomplices, language is the weapon, and you, dear reader, are the victim,” he writes.

Algospeak by Adam Aleksic is one of the best non-fiction books I have read this year! It dives deep into the way social media has changed and is changing the way we communicate. It is a fascinating topic that I have not seen discussed very much. I think this book would be appropriate for teenagers and adults to read and learn how social media is influencing not only our culture, but also our communication.

Algospeak is a fascinating dive into the way the internet, and particularly social media, is rapidly shifting our language. If you spend any time online and have a passing interest in linguistics or etymology, you’ve probably seen author Adam Eleksic’s TikTok videos under the name “etymologynerd.” As in his TikToks, Aleksic uses the longer format of the book to dig into the broader story of how algorithms, social media connectivity, and different platforms are shaping and creating new ways of speaking, from slang to generational identities to subcultural distinctions and more. It’s a very accessible read that citizens of the internet (and especially TikTok) will really enjoy. It’s worth noting that I went to college with the author, lived in the same dorm, and took linguistics classes in the same department, so I get some extra excitement out of this debut!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

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. Thankfully, Algospeak is here to explain. As a professional linguist, Adam Aleksic understands the gravity of language and the way we use it: he knows the ways it has morphed and changed, how it reflects society, and how, in its everyday usage, we carry centuries of human history on our tongues. As a social media influencer, Aleksic is also intimately familiar with the internet’s reach and how social media impacts the way we engage with one another. New slang emerges and goes viral overnight. Accents are shaped or erased on YouTube. Grammatical rules, loopholes, and patterns surface and transform language as we know it. Our interactions, social norms, and habits—both online and in person—shift into something completely different.

As an ESL teacher and a linguist who is fascinated by language, language etymology and historical linguistics, this book was a very interesting read! I've noticed how my students who learn more from social media have a tendency to pick up odd things, and this book explains so much of why! Excellent read for anyone interested in the subject!

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Algospeak was not what I expected at all.

I expected a deep dive into how social media has changed the words we use as well as changed the language itself. While the book does start there, it tends to go off in tangents down 4chan, incels and beauty influencers’ paths. It flits around clickbait, rage-bait and trend-bait posts too.

The one path I found the most interesting was how influencers use trending words to increase their chances to go viral. I have noticed that the topics tend to mimic other viral videos but not individual words. The author explains why “Fetch” in Mean Girls never caught on, with The Plastics, or in real life. He suggests that using humor, and/or songs, is the best way to make a new phrase, and a post about it, go viral. But warns that you never want to caricature, aka flanderize, yourself for views. Anyone just starting posting online would find this part of the book very instructive.

When Algospeak sticks to etymology, I found it fascinating. Who knew that “okay” was a meme from Boston newspapers in the mid-nineteenth century meaning “all correct”? Or that “slang” used to be a term that implied you were from the lower classes and didn’t know the correct term for something?

This book does have a bit of everything thrown in it. While that broadens its audience, it also means readers may find themselves skimming information not that compelling to them. Still, it is an interesting read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me with an advanced review copy.

I don't use Tiktok, but I do see IG reels and YT shorts, and I stumbled across Adam's videos some time back and immediately enjoyed them. His is the kind of useless information I live for, the etymology of words and little nuggets of trivia that I appreciate and promptly forget. So, when I learned that he was putting out a book, I was immediately intrigued.

This does not disappoint. This is so much more than just etymology. This is how language has shifted so vastly in the last even just 10 years due to not only social media, but also the chronic online generation that really kicked off with the 2020 pandemic.

On top of that, because of Adam's online presence, he talks about how the algorithm, and content creation in general, has changed everything from how a person speaks to what accent they use online. How younger generations outside of the US are starting to adopt Americanized accents based on the speech of their favorite content creators. How creators have to change and adapt to viral trends to stay on top, while also trying to stay on top of what's coming next.

I am not a content creator. I am only moderately chronically online.

This is fascinating.

I am genuinely curious how this book will do, sales wise, based on Adam's own research and analysis. If the generations are losing steam on having our attention grabbed, will this book be approachable for the same people who find his short form content so engaging?

Genuinely curious about that one.

Every generation invents its own language—and that’s happening faster than ever now, thanks to the internet. Enter Algospeak by Adam Aleksic, a fascinating, accessible deep-dive into how algorithms change language online. Aleksic is both a Harvard-trained linguist and the popular @etymologynerd, which makes him the perfect guide to this topic.

“Algospeak” refers to the coded language used online to avoid moderation—words like “unalive” instead of “dead”—but Aleksic argues it’s bigger than that. Algorithms don’t just police language—they shape what spreads, what we say, and even how we think.

The book explores concepts like the euphemism treadmill, rage-baiting, and “digital rubbernecking,” all tied to how emotional manipulation keeps us scrolling. It’s both eye-opening and affirming.

Despite the dark side, Aleksic ends with hope: language is still one of our most human tools for connection and identity. Algospeak is a must-read if you’ve ever wondered why the internet talks the way it does—and what that means for the rest of us.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.