About

Wig is a slang term which is shorthand for doing something so incredibly it causes another's wig to fly off. The phrase originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and became associated with Stan culture as fans of artists and celebrities would respond "wig" to actions of their idols. The term reached mainstream culture after Katy Perry used the term on American Idol in 2018.

Origin

The first Urban Dictionary definition of "Wig" with this meaning was submitted on November 28th, 2017, by user buterabliss (shown below).^[1] The definition references how "wig" is a shortening of similar slang terms like "snatched bald" and "weave flew."

Spread

"Wig" has seen use in Stan culture, particularly on Twitter, by fans of celebrities in reaction to the actions of their idols (examples shown below).

Katy Perry Usage

The term saw mainstream attention when pop star and American Idol judge Katy Perry used it during an episode of the show which aired on March 6th, 2018. Contestant Noah Davis said the word while talking to the judges, to which Perry perked up and said "I know, wig, I feel that already." When the other judges asked her what the term meant, Perry told them "it's not your language."

The moment immediately caught the attention of social media users. Some expressed excitement that Perry had used a term considered unknown outside of so-called Stan Twitter. Twitter user @whiteoprahh posted a GIF meant to symbolize gays celebrating at Perry's usage of the term (shown below, left). @deaddilf69 posted the clip with the caption "when ppl from stan twitter link up irl," gaining 4,000 retweets and 12,000 likes (shown below, right).

Others mocked Perry for using the term, joking that it made her appear as though she were pandering to queer members of her fanbase. User @adamjmoussa joked that McDonald's turning their logo upside-down for International Women's Day, a gesture that was largely perceived as empty, was in honor of Perry saying "Wig" (shown below, left). User @Aricatperry posted a Savage Patrick edit of the moment (shown below, right).

After Perry's use of the term, "Wig" was covered by media outlets including Billboard,^[2] Metro,^[3] and Buzzfeed.^[4]

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References