“Petmalu,” “lodi,” and “werpa” are some of the hottest slang words that can be heard, not only across social media, but in general society. The words were invented by millennials in order to express themselves, bringing rise to the “jejemon” subculture. 

Like humans, language also goes through evolution. Despite there being a standard use of language, there are groups that create language variations based on their exclusive circles; these people are called sociolects.

People of different strata also use language differently, which makes status an identifiable trait.

In the 1970s, people used the words “amats,” “astig,” “ermats,” olats;” in the 1980s, it was “bagets,” “jeproks,” and “lonta;” the 1990s had “jologs” and “tipar;” and the early 2000s, amid the advent of keyboard phones and Friendster, there was the rise of the “jejemon,” where a ‘z’ was added to the end of words, like “ingatz,” “gangz,” “familyz,” and “friendz” – some even looked like a chimpanzee danced on the keypad and words appeared as “w4+chm3nD417y j0Urn7.”

Today’s society is split between the working class and the middle class, with the former including those who do manual labor with fewer years of education and the latter having a higher level of education and performing non-manual labor jobs. Through this distinction, one’s background can be identified through speech patterns and language use. Many of the past slang terms have working class roots and were since made mainstream by the media.

However, today, words like “petmalu,” “lodi,” and “werpa” came from the post-millennial generation, Generation Z. They use an old trick of switching around syllables to form a word that is irritating to the ear. “Lodi” is idol spelled backwards; while “petmalu” is malupet and “werpa” is power – perhaps a battle cry for networking recruiters.

In addition, there is “matsala” for salamat, “erp” for pare,” “rema” for mare, “enka” for kain, and “orb” for “bro” – my seminarian brothers were likely disapprove of such a word; I cringe every time as it reminds of the DOTA days, The Ultimate Orb.

The dichotomy of these “pa cool kids” to the aforementioned words is a manifestation of the culture today.

We cannot blame kids who love gansta rap, produced with tinny synthesizer bits, and purports the music of gagong rapper, republikan syndicate, loonie, and other fliptop artist is tastier than the music of Karen Carpenter, Peter Paul and Mary, the Beatles, and Kenny Rogers. The dance moves and fashion of K-Pop group BTS, otherwise known as Bangtan Boys or Beyond the Scene, is supposedly superior to your mom’s teenage idol-like maneuvers or your kuya’s streetboys; and wattpad stories rather than the encyclopedia are God’s gift to mortals for intellectual conversation.

Why are some irked by this metathesis by youngsters today?

Of course, one cannot please everybody with their expression of words, but before one casts aspersions, we must examine their history. With the exception of jogger pants, vans with white lining (a.k.a. “sapatos ng bayan”), and a Korean-inspired outfit while sipping vape, many times it is peers that are influencing others when it comes to a mode of communication. It can also be a part of social acceptance, since using the same language is essential for communicating with the younger generation.

Although, it really is irritating to listen to the language transformation, seeing how some do not know when or where to use words. In linguistics, the term “register” refer to the use of language in particular situations; it dictates the tenor of speech is more formal when addressing older people, high-ranking officials, people of authority, or people you do not know. Meanwhile, “informal register” refers to a gathering of friends and conversations among the “barkada.

According to Ludwig Wittegenstein’s Philosophical Investigations, “Language is a labyrinth of paths. You approach from one side and know your way about; you approach the same place from another side and no longer know your way about.”

Language is complicated but it gives to humans, as mentioned earlier, its own evolutionary process.

Suffice to say, it is an organic entity which serves as the basic structure of humans and manifestation of life’s existence. We may be able to think without language, but language lets us know we are thinking.

However, for those who love to use “petmalu,” “orb,” “werpa,” “lodi,” etc. refrain from using it so often. Remember, familiarity breeds contempt; otherwise you will be as condemned as “jejemon,” or worst case scenario, you will be bullied by others, so “yatap ka.”/WDJ