@article{ART003282878},
author={Wonhyong Cho},
title={A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’},
journal={The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea},
issn={1226-4822},
year={2025},
volume={33},
number={4},
pages={285-312}
TY - JOUR
AU - Wonhyong Cho
TI - A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’
JO - The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea
PY - 2025
VL - 33
IS - 4
PB - The Sociolinguistic Society Of Korea
SP - 285
EP - 312
SN - 1226-4822
AB - 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.
KW - young forties;meaning change;hate speech;communication;political speech;generational consciousness;generation unit
DO -
UR -
ER -
Wonhyong Cho. (2025). A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea, 33(4), 285-312.
Wonhyong Cho. 2025, "A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’", The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea, vol.33, no.4 pp.285-312.
Wonhyong Cho "A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’" The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 33.4 pp.285-312 (2025) : 285.
Wonhyong Cho. A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’. 2025; 33(4), 285-312.
Wonhyong Cho. "A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’" The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 33, no.4 (2025) : 285-312.
Wonhyong Cho. A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea, 33(4), 285-312.
Wonhyong Cho. A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea. 2025; 33(4) 285-312.
Wonhyong Cho. A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’. 2025; 33(4), 285-312.
Wonhyong Cho. "A sociolinguistic examination of the changing meaning of the neologism ‘young forty’" The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 33, no.4 (2025) : 285-312.
