This books is for:
- Big nerds (like me) who like learning new facts that connect to their everyday life
- People who like knowing where words and phrases come from or how language develops over time
- Chronically online millennials who have seen (sometimes with shock and horror) how language has changed so much since our early days on social media
- People who get a little freaked out over how accurate their FYP is and want to know more about how algorithm-based social media shapes our lives

This was a fun, unique, and approachable nonfiction book that gave some great insight into our crazy chronically online world. I loved learning about how language has adapted and traveled through time and across the landscape of the internet. Not only does Adam support his statements with research, he includes his own personal experience and the experiences of other people with online platforms that he interviewed. I think it offers a great, trustworthy perspective on the topic.

I especially appreciated the time he took to explore topics like appropriation, the darker origins of some modern "brainrot" slang, and how words originally created to serve certain groups of people can end up harming them when taken by the algorithm and sent out to new people with an attempt to create virality. This book could've just been a silly and fun exploration of internet slang for hahas, but he really took it seriously and explored the good and bad surrounding this topic in order to help build a more informed world. There are parts of this book that will challenge you, and I think that's a good thing.

Overall, there’s a lot to learn and have fun with but also reflect on in these pages.

Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the ARC!

I am a self-proclaimed word nerd myself, and this book was tailor-made for me. I am also a technology teacher who has many students who use Algopseak quite regularly, so this book was a perfect fit! I learned so much about the history of the words my students use on a daily basis, and I feel very ready to take on the next school year now :D

Thank you again for the ARC!

Whether you are well-versed with the concepts or someone trying to understand "Gen Z slang", this book is a fascinating read! If you’re new to the term “algospeak,” Aleksic provides a fascinating introduction. He unpacks the ways people manipulate language to fly under the radar of content moderation—swapping letters, using codewords, or repurposing slang. But this isn't just a surface-level glossary of weird online terms. What sets Algospeak apart is how deeply it explores the cultural and sociopolitical roots of these linguistic shifts.

A standout element of the book is its recognition of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and ballroom/ball culture, crediting them as foundational to much of today’s internet slang. Aleksic doesn't just acknowledge this influence—he actually unpacks it, analyzing how these communities developed their own vocabularies to create safe, affirming spaces, and how that language has now spread, morphed, and in many cases, lost its original power or context as it goes mainstream.

Aleksic also draws a sharp—and often sobering—contrast between community-based speech that fosters belonging and the coded language found in subcultures like those on 4chan. While marginalized groups often develop shared vocabulary to create safer, more affirming spaces, the same linguistic tools can be twisted in other corners of the internet to do the opposite. In these cases, coded terms are used not to connect, but to isolate, radicalize, and mask harmful ideologies behind layers of insider language.

Overall, Algospeak is more than just a linguistic study—it’s a cultural deep dive that treats internet language with the complexity it deserves. Whether you're curious about the internet’s evolving vocabulary or looking to better understand the culture wars happening through text, Algospeak is worth your time. 4.5 stars

*3.75

Algospeak is an interesting read about how the internet has shaped our language and communication. While I overall enjoyed this book, I do wish it had a bit more depth.

I liked this one!! Really interesting to read about how the internet/algorithms/social media have shaped our language! I thought it was well organized and I feel like it will be a book I bring up a lot in conversations!

I don’t have the pulse on new viral social media trends, I’m still in my internet = cats era, if you haven’t guessed from Pretzel being in this picture. I do however find the linguistic shifts that have come with social media absolutely fascinating. I’ve been following @etymologynerd for a while. Not only are the topics he covers fun and well researched, but my 3x speed audiobook lover brain appreciates the pace with which he speaks. In his book Aleksic not only breaks down the ways the internet has been impacting speech for a long time now, but also talks about how he and other big social media personalities have optimized their videos to maximize attention retention. I found his writing to be just as approachable as his videos. I initially eyeball read this one, it’s a quick read. I was also very curious to check out how the audiobook, narrated by Aleksic himself, would sound without the social media intonations added. I have to say, I think he made the audiobook pretty attention-grabbing as well. If you’re intrigued by linguistics, spend a lot of time on social media or have enjoyed books from Amanda Montell, I definitely recommend this one.

As someone with a BA in linguistics with a deep love for the ever-shifting beauty of language, this book felt like water to my thirsty brain. It’s an absolute masterclass. It’s insightful, engaging, and unapologetically smart.

Code-switching between sociolects is my bread and butter, and this book didn’t just affirm what I already knew, it expanded it. Every chapter reminded me why I find language evolution so exhilarating. Instead of clinging to the tired “kids these days” panic, it made the case (brilliantly, mind you) that change is not only inevitable, it’s beautiful.

Whether you’ve studied linguistics or just have a curiosity about how we speak, this book is a gem. I loved every second.

Algospeak is sometimes interesting, sometimes too detailed, but I learned quite a bit. Much of the book deals with new ways of using words, how it comes about and slides from group to group, the pressures to fit-in, etc. As he says this isn’t new it’s the speed that is different. I am old, written words are my go to. Spoken words somehow switch my brain to daydream unless it is a live human in front of me. No, I’m not on TikTok and for me instagram's allure remains still images that I can get lost in. Obviously I’ve been left way behind and am glad of it. When Aleksic explains influencer accents and the effort to retain viewers I suddenly understood why I bail out of so many videos. For me, they are stifiling, leaving no room to ponder. It’s like Everything Everywhere All At Once and is native to more and more of the worlds population and helpful to understand that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.

In this book, linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic explores the evolution of language in the internet age as well as the social impact of social media algorithms.

The subject of etymology is fascinating and the author highlights some recent developments in the English language and explores the history of currently trending slang words. Several misconceptions about “Gen-Z slang” are addressed in a straightforward way. The author also does a great job explaining how social media companies have developed and used algorithms, clearly outlining the way they work in light of content creation and consumption. His approach to his subject is accessible and easy to read.

However, I will say that I was hoping for a bit more depth and nuance. The author touched on some really interesting ideas regarding society, community, and censorship, but never developed those ideas as much as I would have preferred. Though, in fairness, he is a linguist by trade, not a social commentator. I also felt that some of the chapters become a bit repetitive. The author often restated the ideas from previous chapters to give context to each new concept. It was as though he intended each chapter to be a self-contained article, rather than a section of a larger work to be read sequentially. But since he regularly writes for social media, perhaps he doesn’t trust the attention span and retention of his audience.

I’m choosing to give this book three stars. It was interesting and easy enough to read, but I was hoping for a little more substance. If you are interested in the subject, I think it’s worth picking up, especially as a starting point.

Content warnings: Given the subject of the book, the author does include strong language and derogatory terms. This is in an educational context, but it’s worth noting for those that would be uncomfortable.

Ever wonder why internet slang changes so fast (or just what the codes mean)? Linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic (aka @etymologynerd) blends historical insight with firsthand experience to explore how words are created online. From TikTok trends to coded captions, “Algospeak” analyzes the evolution of language and culture in the age of algorithms. It’s a deep dive into how online communities invent words — like “rizz” and “ragebait” — to outsmart algorithms, signal belonging, and shape culture.

Real Rating: 4.5*of five

There's a really fine line between niches and ghettos. There is a very fine line between going mainstream and cultural appropriation, between mockery and normalization, between slang and neologism.

And each of these can be true of any language unit all at the same time. Because language is about *why* even more than *how* you use its units of meaning. The usual moral panics of every age are at work, making "rizz" and "-core" and the like horsebeings of the apocalypse that will utterly destroy critical thinking, education, and the fabric of society.

Prepare for Mad Max meets The Hunger Games, y'all. Uptalking girls and sigma males are going to displace us at the top of the tree no matter how long or how hard we cling to the power it's time we gave up. And yes, I hate uptalking as much as any other old man, plus the very idea of the alpha male let alone the incel spin that is a sigma make me queasy. Their use now has a context I'd never had before, the possession of which reassures ("sigma" is a humiliating appropriation of terrible peoples' slang) and concerns (uptalking is a worrisome signal of algorithmically reinforced misogyny by seeking approval in making questions of statements).

It's their world now. Let them make their mistakes. They literally can not do worse than we did, what with keeping our snouts in the trough while the lowest scum imaginable piled up play money and choked the entire planet on deadly gases.

So what Author Aleksic does here, and on his YouTube channel, is offer a guide for the perplexed among the different truths of language change, and thus what to watch out for (spoiler: harmful uses of language are bad). His analysis of how the acceleration of language change got turbocharged by the greed of capitalism is directly congruent to my take on things (read: prejudice), and his more-reassuring-than-alarming example of "unalive" as the youth culture's work-around for algorithmic idiocy targeting "dead" and "death" as markers of "sensitive content" reminds me that people are always going to come up with ways around overzealous nonsense.

What made this book by a linguist (past president of the Harvard Undergraduate Linguistics Society) so absorbing and involving to me was that he has the formal, old-person-approved training and the business-model savvy of a content creator across multiple platforms. The distinctions he draws among normal language change, harmful appropriative theft, and highly concerning capitalist manipulations of identity for profit, are all backed up by actual research. Nothing's perfect...the notes are extensive but, in my DRC, not links so I had to type them into my browser to check them (oh, the pain! said in my best 1965-Lost-in-Space voice), and there were times I wasn't sure if I was reading a self-help for YouTubers book...but there was never a time I wanted to stop reading.

Anyone who's got grandkids ought to read it. Anyone who thinks the future will take care of itself, or is already doomed to failure and evil times, also ought to read this. Y'all're both right, and wrong, and here's why. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

If you are interested in making an impact on social media, this is your book. I thought this would be about how language is changing, not how to get people to engage with your content and drive your stats. This was not for me.

This book is exactly in my wheelhouse! It has everything I want in a nonfiction book – focus on modern society and pop culture, linguistics, etymology, Internet culture. If you are a fan of Amanda Montel or Taylor, Lorenz, then I would definitely recommend this book. The topics in this book are very niche, but The author does a great job of explaining why this very niche topic is applicable to the modern world we live in, and how much it is invading our day-to-day lives. Totally recommend!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<i>Algorithms are the culprits, influencers are the accomplices, language is the weapon, and you, dear reader, are the victim.</i>

Those who know me well know that my English-major heart loves words, etymology and linguistics, so picking this up was a no-brainer. This book is an absolutely fascinating study on the fast-paced evolution of the English language in our modern, digital, chronically online era. Aleksic goes into everything from the origins of skibidi toilet to the algorithm’s effect on trends and what content is prioritized and pushed to us, the cycle of appropriating and discarding slang from marginalized communities, the current hyperfocus on manufactured differences between generations, and the rise of “-core” identities. Underpinning it all, however, is the mysterious, capitalistic influence of the algorithm. This book will entertain you, make you think, and also scare you a little. Highly recommend.

Pub Date: 7/15/2025
Review Published: 7/15/2025
eARC provided at no cost by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As a long-time @EtymologyNerd follower, I really enjoyed Adam's deeper look into linguistics' role in our internet age. He did a great job of showing many perspectives and identifying the peaks and pitfalls of how language is constantly changing around us. At several points I thought to myself "this concept needs a book of its own!" which I hope leads to more books from Adam Aleksic that make sociolinguistics more accessible and show us how integrated language is into our lives.

A lighthearted and informative linguistics read with myriad connections to sociology, psychology, user experience, and more. Adam Aleksic’s enthusiasm on his discovery or sharing of these tidbits of learning is evident throughout. As an avid listener of his social media, I could dive into more detail on topics he merely scraped the surface of in his algorithm-propelled talks. Appropriate for grades 8 and above (trigger warning mild language). Quite contemporary. I look forward to more insights from this writer/researcher.

I'm not tech or TikTok-savvy enough to comment cogently on this book beyond saying that I really enjoyed reading it in snips during brief breaks over the days. Lots to think about--including how some of the idioms are no doubt out-of-date already!

I have to say I was surprised by how interesting I found Adam Aleksic’s Algospeak. When I read the blurb for this book it really caught my attention, but not just because I’ve loved books all my life and thus love language. No, it was because I realized more and more than I often when I overheard my nieces and nephews talking I had no idea what they were actually saying. I’ll admit it, I’m…well while not old old, lets say not as young as I used to be. I’m not quite at the old man yelling at kids to get off my lawn stage, but definitely old enough that I’ve had to ask for clarification on some of those conversations I already mentioned overhearing. The idea that language has been changing right in front of me and at such a rapid clip that I hadn’t even noticed it was fascinating. And honestly with the internet and increased use of social media it is only going to keep changing, so I appreciate the work Adam put into to not just educating me about the changes occurring but also making that education quite entertaining. Algospeak was definitely worth the time I spent reading it. Thanks so much to the publisher for the ARC.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/algospeak-adam-aleksic/1146428704?ean=9780593804070&bvnotificationId=ef167be2-613e-11f0-88fa-0e21984c53cd&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/351938610

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor.

Adam Aleksic has made his reputation on social media unpacking the intricacies of the English language. In Algospeak, Aleksic delves into how the Internet and social media are shaping the words we use.

Algospeak is spectacular. It’s absolutely fascinating and reads more quickly than any substantive book about linguistics has a right to. It’s nicely organized, flows beautifully, and is quite well written. And somehow it doesn’t overly simplify. Honestly an extraordinary effort from a very talented communicator. Highly recommended for just about anyone.

Lots of really fascinating info, especially for this word-loving nerd. But seem to lack a bit of organization and lacks reflection on what to do with these observations about the evolution of langauge.