Modern culture has brought about innovations in language, and more often than not, these newly devised words are categorized as slang language.
It is usually unclear how a specific slang term takes root, and how a new established meaning is given to that word because it’s hard to tell who used it first.
“Flexer” is one such modern word that’s been popularly used all around the English-speaking world. Not just that, you might also find the use of this word in other languages too!
What is a “flexer”?
“Flexer” is the noun form of the verb “flex.” In slang language, to flex means to boast off or brag. So “Flexer” refers to a person who shows off a lot. Out of slang language, “flex” also refers to bending, usually a part of your body. So “Flexer” could also be used in the context of bending limbs.
Origin of the word “flexer”
In an official English dictionary, the word flex is defined as bending a part of your body, to tighten a muscle by contracting it. This is what the non-slang version of the word flex means.
The word is usually used in the context of flexing muscles, the way bodybuilders do.
For instance, “He flexed his biceps to show the size of his arm.” The word flex refers to the action of contracting your muscles, to make them more prominent.
One can infer that flexing one’s muscles also means showing off your muscles. So, it is only natural to conclude that the slang version of the word has its roots in bodybuilding.
While “flex” means to show off your muscles, “flexer” would refer to a person who’s doing the action. This brings us to the slang version.
It can be inferred that the transition of the word from its conventional meaning to slang meaning lies in the phenomenon of athletes showing off their muscles.
So what once meant showing off muscles now means to show off generally, usually ones’ riches.
It should also be noted that the present-day usage of “flexer” is most commonly found in rap or hip-hop music.
The word is used differently in different songs, giving rise to slightly different nuances, but still the same general idea. That is, showing off.
Multiple slang meanings of “flexer”
In slang lingo, “flexer” has varying meanings. Although the meanings are very closely connected, and almost refer to the same thing, the slight difference in meaning leads to a greater difference in usage.
There are three different versions of the word.
The first, most popular and widely used, definition of the word is someone who shows off. This stems from ‘flex’ which is boasting off one’s riches, expensive things, accomplishments, etc.
“Flexer” can also be used in the context of putting on a fake façade, to fake it.
A person who fakes their living standard lies about being rich and fronts a fake rich personality can be called a flexer.
The third version of “flexer” is a noun given to the act or instance of boasting off. For instance, if a person speaks a sentence about the supercars they own, the particular sentence can be referred to as a flexer.
It can be used to refer to a person, or action too. The range of meanings and versatile usability of “flexer” make it one of the most interesting newly added slang words.
Usage of “flexer” in Music
As mentioned above, rap and hip-hop music have used the term in question the most, and are the primary reason for the term’s widespread use among the young population.
The usage of a term in a song means countless people will hear the song and take a specific word to mean a specific thing in the context of a song.
Because millions if not thousands of people hear these songs, music is the primary factor in spreading the use of the term among the masses.
Let’s take a look at the use of the term “flexer” or “flex” in popular songs and understand what it means in each song.
Flexin Finessin by IGGY AZALEA
“Ain’t got no time for stressing, I’m just flexin’ and finessing” – this is how the term is used in the song by Iggy Azalea. Here the term is used to simply refer to showing off, which is the first definition of the term mentioned above.
No Flex Zone – Rae Sremmurd
No Flex Zone is one of the more popular songs on this list. Created by the famous hip-hop band Rae Sremmurd, the term ‘No Flex Zone’ simply means an area where you are not allowed to boast or flaunt your money or accomplishments.
Popular phrases related to the word “flexer”
Weird flex but ok – This newly coined term is one of the phrases the internet community has devised through memes. “Weird flex but ok” is used in a humorous context usually in a reply to someone who’s showing off something unusual or considered bizarre to be shown off.
No flex zone – Apart from being a popular song, the phrase has also become a popularly used term to refer to a place where people can feel at ease. A place where no one is flexing and acting naturally.
Habitual flexer – A habitual flexer is someone who is always boasting off. Such a person finds it really hard to not show off things they have, or stay without exaggerating something about themselves.
Conclusion
As the internet expands and online interaction is booming more than ever, such terms, which are popular among the youth, are only going to develop more. It is nice to see new words being developed that offer such depth of meaning and versatility.
Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.