A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’

Wonhyong Cho^*

Seoul National University

Abstract

This study examines the semantic shift and sociolinguistic implications of the neologism “young forty,” which has become widely used as of 2025. Initially introduced as a marketing term in 2015, the expression has evolved into a derogatory label used to mock individuals in their forties, with its usage frequency surging sharply in 2025. This study confirms that “young forty” is frequently used as a term rooted in hostility caused by political differences. As fundamental alternatives to address this issue, this study proposes strengthening intergenerational communication and actively using Korean honourifics within online communities.

신조어 ‘영포티’의 의미 변화에 대한 사회언어학적 고찰

초록

Vol. 40 No. 4 (2022.12)

Journal Abbreviation j. Korea Saf. Manag. Sci.
Frequency Published four times annually in March, June, September, and December
Doi Prefix 10.14353/sjk.
Year of Launching 1993
Publisher The Sociolinguistic Society of Korea

Indexed/Tracked/Covered By