What Is 'Twink Death' And Why Are People Terrified Of It?

Gay slang is replete with slang terms that signify various aspects of gay life, whether it's the use of the emphatic slay or the celebratory yas queen, LGBT slang is often descriptive and concise to those in the community.

But sometimes, slang terms from gay communities bleed into mainstream internet culture, leaving a sizable chunk of people scratching their heads at why a picture of a younger Leonardo DiCaprio is being posted alongside an unflattering older picture of him, completed by the caption, Twink death is a terrifying thing. You might know what a twink is, but what does his "death" indicate? Here's a history of the phrase.

What Does Twink Death Mean?

In gay slang, twink is a term used to refer to young, boyish men who are often skinny and not muscular. A young gay man is often called a twink, especially if he does not possess more overtly "masculine" qualities, like body hair, facial hair, or heavier body weight. "Twink death" is a phrase used to describe men who have grown or aged out of "twink-y" qualities and have lost their boyish appearance.

Why Do People Think It Is "Terrifying"?

Sometime in February 2023, a Twitter user posted a side-by-side comparison of a younger and an older Leonardo DiCaprio, alongside a caption that read, "Twink death is a terrifying thing." This set off a chain reaction of people posting younger and older pictures of various men, alleging that the aged versions of these former twink-like men are scary.

People don't seem to be completely sincere when they assert the "terrifying" aspect of twink death, but it definitely implies that people find older versions of famous figures less attractive than their younger photos.

Is Twink Death Just Ageing?

After the popularisation of the phrase in early 2023, many began to discuss the ageism that seems to be surrounding twink death discourse. Given that most "twink death is terrifying" memes compare much younger and much older photos of various men, some people seem to think that the term is unfair to what should be considered a normal and healthy aspect of aging. Others, however, assert that the term is an in-group signifier for gay men, and has less negative connotations than it might imply.

For the full history of twink death, be sure to check out our entry on the slang term here for even more information.