MEWING Meaning, Uses and Examples

In the ever-changing world of internet slang and viral trends, keeping up can be a challenge. One such trend that has taken over social media and left many parents and teachers scratching their heads is “mewing.” Initially popularized as a beauty technique to enhance jawline definition, mewing has now evolved into a broader cultural phenomenon, especially among Gen Alpha. In this article, we'll break down what mewing means in its various forms, how it’s being used by teenagers today, and why it’s causing such a stir in classrooms across the country.

What Does Mewing Mean in Slang?

Mewing originally referred to a facial exercise designed to make the jawline more defined by pressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth. This technique gained popularity on TikTok, particularly among younger generations, evolving into both a beauty trend and a form of nonverbal slang. Teens often say, "Can't talk, mewing," implying that they are too engaged in this activity to converse.

Mewing on TikTok: A Beauty Craze

Mewing has become a full-blown beauty craze on TikTok, where thousands of users post videos demonstrating the exercise to reshape their neck and chin profiles. The exercise involves "placing the tongue at the roof of the mouth and applying pressure to redefine the jawline." Videos tagged with #mewing have amassed millions of views, highlighting just how popular this trend has become.

How Gen Alpha Redefined Mewing

Gen Alpha, those born between 2010 and 2024, have once again redefined a term that many millennials thought they understood. Back in 2020, mewing was a fitness trend aimed at enhancing facial definition. However, Gen Alpha has given it a new twist, turning it into a playful yet confusing form of slang.

The Original Mewing Technique

The original concept of mewing involves pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth to help define the jawline. Despite a lack of substantial scientific backing, many content creators in the “face yoga” niche advocate for its benefits. The term “mewing” also gained popularity in online communities associated with facial attractiveness and improvement through exercises or plastic surgery.

The New Meaning of Mewing in Gen Alpha Slang

If you search for “mewing” on TikTok, you will encounter frustrated teachers sharing their experiences with students frequently using this action during class. Over the last several months, the exercise has become a nonverbal gesture used to convey, “I don’t want to talk to you.”

Though the basis of mewing still involves tightening the jawline, Gen Alpha now uses it as a way to signal they are too busy or uninterested in talking. This is often done with a “shushing” gesture followed by tracing the jawline with a finger, clearly indicating the desire to stay silent.

This seemingly playful gesture has led to considerable frustration among educators, who consider it disrespectful in a classroom context. Mr. Lindsey, a teacher well-known on TikTok, even made a video explaining how to recognize “mewing” among students.

Another educator, Teresa Kaye Newman, expressed in a viral video that the trend has pushed her to consider quitting, with over 7 million views highlighting her frustration.

Teachers often feel at a loss when students use the mewing gesture, feeling it undermines their authority. Newman believes teenagers use mewing as a tactic to avoid accountability or participation in class activities.

Turning the Tables: Teachers Use Mewing Too

While mewing slang is often directed at adults, some clever teachers have managed to turn it around and use it on their students.

One TikTok user commented under Mr. Lindsey’s video, “I threw that one back at a student the other day. I told him less yapping, more mewing, and did the gesture. He was shook.”

Another wrote, “I’m mewing every time they ask if they can go to the bathroom.”

One teacher even admitted to using the mewing gesture as a form of retaliation, adding, “Every time they do the mewing…everyone clear your desk, it’s pop quiz time.”

Understanding what mewing means can help parents and teachers comprehend why kids are suddenly so fascinated with emphasizing their jawlines.

Talking to Your Child About Mewing and Internet Slang

If you need to discuss slang with your child, here are some conversation starters that can help introduce healthy tech habits:

“What’s a new word you and your friends are into right now?”
“When I was your age, people would say something was ‘all that and a bag of chips’ if it was awesome. What’s your favorite word to describe something cool?”
“I know emojis can mean something different to kids than they do to parents. Are there any emojis I use that you think I should stop using?”
“If you could describe yourself using just one emoji, which one would you pick?”

Conclusion

Engaging with your child on topics like mewing and other popular trends can help bridge generational gaps and foster a better understanding of the evolving online culture. As new trends continue to emerge, staying informed and open to dialogue is essential. Whether mewing is just another fleeting trend or something that sticks around longer, understanding it is key to navigating the ever-changing digital world with your child.

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