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- Feb 19, 2024
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The secret language of incels
How slang and emojis are used to mask misogyny
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
The article "The Secret Language of Incels" by Sarah Ogilvie, published in Prospect Magazine on April 10, 2025, delves into the coded language and symbols used within incel (involuntary celibate) communities to express misogynistic ideologies and foster group identity. Ogilvie highlights how this lexicon serves to create in-groups and out-groups, reinforcing a sense of belonging among members while masking harmful beliefs from outsiders. Glamour+10Prospect Magazine+10Prospect Magazine+10Prospect Magazine
Key Terms and Their Meanings
- Incel: Short for "involuntary celibate," referring to men who believe they are denied sexual relationships by women.Glamour
- Foid: A derogatory term derived from "female humanoid," used to dehumanize women by suggesting they lack full human status.
- Rapecel: An incel who commits rape, often glorified within the community as taking extreme measures to fulfill sexual desires.Prospect Magazine+1Glamour+1
- hERo: A term idolizing Elliot Rodger (initials "ER"), who killed six people in 2014 and left behind a manifesto blaming women for his frustrations.Time+1Glamour+1
- Red Pill: Borrowed from The Matrix, symbolizing the awakening to the "truth" about gender dynamics, often used to justify misogynistic beliefs.
- 100 Emoji (
): Represents the belief that 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men, reinforcing the idea of a female-dominated society (gynocracy). - Looksmaxxing: The practice of improving one's appearance to increase attractiveness, often involving extreme measures.
- Gymmaxxing: A subset of looksmaxxing focused on physical fitness.arXiv+9Prospect Magazine+9Prospect Magazine+9
- Moneymaxxing: Another subset, emphasizing financial success as a means to attract women.Glamour+1Prospect Magazine+1
- Kidney Bean Emoji (
): Used as a discreet symbol to identify oneself as an incel, avoiding detection by content moderators.dailytelegraph
Evolution and Impact
Ogilvie traces the origins of the incel community back to "Alana's Involuntary Celibacy Project," a supportive forum started in 1997. Over time, this community morphed into a hub for misogynistic rhetoric. The article also discusses the role of online platforms like 4chan in fostering these toxic subcultures, where young individuals like "Liam" become immersed in hate speech and extremist ideologies. Liam's journey illustrates how exposure to real-life interactions can challenge and eventually dismantle such harmful beliefs. Glamour+1arXiv+1thetimes.co.uk+1Glamour+1
The piece underscores the importance of understanding the language and symbols used by incel communities, as they often serve to conceal dangerous ideologies behind seemingly innocuous terms and emojis. By decoding this lexicon, educators, parents, and policymakers can better identify and address the spread of misogynistic beliefs online.The Scottish Sun
For more detailed insights, you can read the full article here: The Secret Language of Incels.
