In our previous article on the history of the selfie, we traced humanity’s journey from its first unconscious self-representation to the modern concept of self-portraiture. But the form of the selfie is not the only thing that has changed over that time. In fact, the word “selfie” itself is a very modern adjustment, and it reflects how language evolves to keep up with new or changing cultural behaviors.
Language is one of the most adaptable elements of the human experience. It is constantly in flux, and as humans change what they value, dislike, or understand, language changes with them. Understanding the rise of the word “selfie” provides a unique glimpse into how language can pivot, sometimes on a dime, to support what a culture needs.
Where Did the Word “Selfie” Appear First?
If you look up the word “selfie,” you might find that it goes back much further than you think. In reality, “selfy,” spelled with a Y, has existed since the 1600s. However, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it did not mean the same thing then as it does now. Someone who is “selfy” is selfish according to this archaic use.
The modern use of “selfie” without the Y can be difficult to trace back to its origin; as far as we know, the first recorded instance occurred on September 13, 2002. On an online forum, a user named Nathan Hope uploaded a photo and apologized for its quality, stating that it was a selfie.
Hope is widely credited for coining the word “selfie.” But when asked, he notes that he suspects (though he can’t remember) he heard it elsewhere before using it himself. Thus, the true origins of “selfie” as a word could remain unknown forever.
The Evolution of Language to Capture Culture
The purpose of language is to convey meaning, and when meaning changes, language follows suit. Some sources suggest that as many as 1000 new words are added to the dictionary every year, reflecting our growing need for vocabulary to encompass emerging ideas and trends. Everything from greige (the color) to WiFi (the service) has become sufficiently useful to earn a permanent place in the lexicon.
The same is true of selfie, which was added to the dictionary in August 2013. Later that year, it was named Word of the Year after a 17,000% spike in usage. While such a precipitous rise is unusual for most words, it reflects the overarching concept that sometimes, existing language simply isn’t enough to account for the human experience — and when people find a solution, it sticks.
The most common cause of the development of a new word, which forces language to evolve, is a change in circumstances. The selfie is a prime example. A new concept emerged from new technology, necessitating a new word. Some languages are more flexible about this than others (a phenomenon called “neology tolerance,” or the willingness to change the language to suit new needs). English is a highly tolerant language where just about any neologism or piece of slang can become a permanent fixture with minimal effort.
Compare this to languages such as Icelandic, which are heavily guarded and culturally insular. These languages tend to create new words strategically based on identified needs. Similarly, languages such as Japanese may take loan words, but they filter them through their own native alphabet (katakana).
However, the need for a new word (in our case, “selfie”) to describe a phenomenon that has never been seen before is just one reason why language might adapt. Another, and increasingly more common, source of change is cultural sentiment. For instance, the use of “you guys” has fallen somewhat out of favor in light of recent cultural shifts that more proactively acknowledge gender norms and their subversions. Thus, “you guys” has shifted toward “folks” or other gender-neutral terms of address. This, in turn, created the word “folx,” which is a gender-neutral option that explicitly calls for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized individuals. This word did not arise out of a need; “folks” was already gender-neutral. Rather, it was created as sentiments changed.
“Selfie” might have seen a meteoric rise in popularity that marked it as one of the most obviously new and celebrated words in recent memory, but it is far from unique. Language will continue to change as humanity changes, bringing new turns of phrase every single year. And of equal note, some of the words you may know and love could fall out of favor until they, too, have received the same treatment as the “selfy” of the 1600s. After all, when was the last time you heard someone describe a really good sports maneuver as “totally tubular”?
No matter which changes language undergoes, its purpose remains the same: communication. From literal meanings to the subtextual hints a word can carry, linguistic evolution pivots with the times and never stays in one place for long. The next time you hear a word you don’t recognize, take note and see if it stands the test of time! It might just fill a niche that was craving its own verbiage.
