Have you ever encountered the term "coded" while scrolling through social media? Unlike its technical cousin, "coding" which refers to programming languages, "coded" in this context takes on a whole new meaning. This term unveils the secret language of social media, explaining what "coded" means and how it's used to describe people, characters, or even aesthetics.
In the realm of social media, "coded" is a widely used slang term that describes something or someone embodying stereotypical or shared traits. Imagine encountering a profile picture with vibrant yellow hair and a lightning bolt motif. You might jokingly say the person is "Pikachu coded," referencing the iconic electric Pokémon. Here, "coded" highlights the shared traits between the person and the fictional character.
Where does the term Coded originate from?
The term "coded" isn't entirely new, but its current social media usage has a specific origin story. Back in 2015, a lively discussion erupted on Tumblr, a popular social media platform, about the animated series Steven Universe. The debate centered around the show's characters, who despite being portrayed as asexual and nonracial beings from outer space, were being described as "racially coded." This conversation sparked a wider trend, using "coded" to analyze characters and aesthetics that evoke specific cultural references or stereotypes.
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