Sociolinguistic Artifacts

This article, written by Insia Haque, discusses how the terminology commonly used in online manosphere communities functions to perpetuate misogynistic views. Examples of this language are "looksmaxxing" and degrading terms to describe women like "foids" and "subhumans". The article mentions how this terminology originated in incel communities, and then, like many other slang words, became popularized and dangerously normalized by social media algorithms. Haque described how the ironic use of these terms by people who don't necessarily agree with their connotations broadens the audience's exposure to the ideas associated with the terminology. This exposure can lead algorithms to recommend creators within the manosphere community of practice who more explicitly share harmful ideals. This cycle has had severe negative impacts on young men who are impressionable to this language that has become so integrated into digital spaces. [Published on 03-19-2026]