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Wig

Wig

Part of a series on AAVE / African American Vernacular English. [View Related Entries]

Updated Apr 18, 2018 at 03:53AM EDT by Y F.

Added Mar 14, 2018 at 12:01PM EDT by Adam.

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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."


wig An evolutionized word, starting from "weave snatched", to "wig snatched to "wig flew", and now just to "wig", because we are lazy. It's basically a term short for "wig flew", "wig left? "wig disintegrated", "wig in orbit", etc. stan #1: she's nominated for a grammy!! stan #2: omg wig #wig #wig flew #wig snatched #wig in orbit #wig disintegrated #wig left #wig stolen #where's my wig? by buterabliss November 28, 2017

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).


rebecca @snapbackjb Follow He looked so good this day WIG 10:59 AM-14 Mar 2018 shay @CHAMPIONMARA Follow REST IN F------ PEACE TO MY WIG! NCT 2018 F------ SNAPPED! BITCH! WIG! 2:14 204 views

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).


Nao Follow @whiteoprahh all the gays after Katy Perry says "wig" GIF 12:37 PM-6 Mar 2018 A--- Eaze Keating @deaddilf69 Follow ) ﹀ When ppl from stan twitter link up irl Summer 0:20 3.25M views

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).


Adam Moussa @adamjmoussa Follow incredible McDonald's has turned their signage to a W today in recognition of "wig" today, we celebrate you 12:06 PM-8 Mar 2018 CAT ARIH @aricatperry Follow Wig, okay I'm bored Did you just say wig?

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

Various Examples


Gabe Gonzalez @gaybone:z Follow I accidentally said "wig" out loud and now Katy Perry won't leave my apartment until tell her it's "just for us." Excuse me. Hi GIF Jon @prasejeebus Follow ) ﹀ When you find someone who can relate to you saying "Wig!" because you're very into voguing right now and it gave you life tincture drone @NoTeeOrShadow Follow "Wig did you just say wig" GIF Mike T Follow @majtague Twitter: We are suspending accounts Me: wig I feel that already Twitter: Did you tweet on Christmas Day 2014 that Taylor Swift is a Nazi? Me: Aaron Michael truo 0:31 117K views blonde @riverstarboy Follow i am so tired. i think im gonna nap. i don't have exam till wednesday so l don't have to study today wig 1/ Follow @peanutxx Water Under The Bridge tour visuals is THAT BISH! Adele DID THAT! WIG!! 2:15 141 views 1:52 AM - 14 Mar 2018

Search Interest

External References

[1] Urban Dictionary – Wig

[2] Billboard – The Best Memes From Katy Perry's 'Wig' Comment on 'American Idol'

[3] Metro – What does wig mean? Learn about Katy Perry’s favourite slang term

[4] Buzzfeed – I Will Never Forget Where I Was The First Time I Saw Katy Perry Say Wig On American Idol

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