Slang terms for savage have evolved over time to reflect changing cultural perspectives. While often considered derogatory, some groups have reclaimed savage and its slang variations as terms of empowerment and defiance.
Overview of Savage as a Slang Term
The word savage dates back to the 13th century and was first used to describe people living primitive, uncivilized lifestyles. By the 17th century, savage had adopted a more negative connotation, used to imply cruel, vicious, or aggressive behavior.
In contemporary slang, savage is generally used to describe something or someone intense, fierce, or destructive in an admirable way. Savage slang often implies doing, saying, or being something without concern for societal norms or politeness.
Evolution of Slang Terms for Savage
Some slang terms for savage that originated in Black culture include:
- Wildin’ – Being rowdy, crazy, or out of control in a reckless yet admirable way.
- Turnt up – Getting overly excited, hyped up, or drunk and losing inhibitions.
- Lit – High energy, turned up, or awesome.
- Beast mode – An incredible, intense display of power or skill.
These terms became mainstream in the 1990s and early 2000s through rap lyrics and Black culture influencing pop culture. As savage slang was adopted by other groups, additional variations emerged:
- Savage AF – Profane shorthand meaning savage as f**k.
- No chill – Having no reserve, hesitation, or concern for consequences.
- Zero f**ks given – Showing complete indifference or disregard for something.
- Extra – Over-the-top wild, dramatic behavior.
Internet culture also birthed digital shorthand like savage af and shorthand mocking the concept like: savage! and so savage. Hashtags like #zerochill and #nof**ksgiven helped popularize and spread newer slang terms.
Positive and Negative Uses of Savage Slang
Like many slang terms that originated in marginalized communities, savage walked a fine line between insult and compliment. It acknowledges behavior that defies social conventions, which can be perceived as anything from shocking and inappropriate to admirable and empowering depending on context.
In pop culture, savage is often used positively to describe things like:
- Bold clapbacks or insults
- Impressive talent or dominance
- A wild, unapologetic attitude
However, when used to describe people, savage slang can also reinforce negative stereotypes about violence, aggression, hypersexuality, lack of self-control, and general uncivilized behavior.
Reclaiming Savage as a Point of Pride
The term savage has gone through multiple cycles of reclaiming, starting most notably with Black empowerment movements in the 1960s. Black activists began using savage with pride to represent rejecting White American cultural norms and embracing African heritage. Savage also represented the morally corrupted nature of White supremacy and oppression.
More recently, models like Ashley Graham have reclaimed savage and savage-related slang to represent body positivity. People embrace savage as a display of confidence and self-love in the face of beauty standards that exclude them.
Within LGBTQ+ communities, younger generations have reclaimed savage to represent unapologetic queerness. Identifying as savage allows them to take pride in rejecting heteronormative values.
Savage Slang in Rap and Hip Hop
No discussion of savage slang is complete without examining its prevalence in rap and hip hop. Many examples of savage slang originated in lyrics from prominent Black rappers and artists:
| Slang Term | Artist | Song | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildin’ | 2 Chainz | No Lie | “All black on, looking like a villain, got your girl at the crib she whippin’.” |
| Turnt up | Roscoe Dash | All the Way Turnt Up | “I’m turnt up all the way turned up, cause it’s my birthday so it’s okay to get turned up.” |
| Beast mode | Future | Where Ya At | “Beast mode on that Freeway, give a f**k ’bout what you say.” |
As savage slang entered the mainstream, non-Black artists began incorporating it into lyrics as well. For example:
| Slang Term | Artist | Song | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| No chill | Ski Mask the Slump God | Nuketown | “Not no chill, savage, go killa, no chill.” |
| Extra | Dua Lipa | New Rules | “I’m so extra so don’t let me in.” |
Rap and hip hop continue to drive popularity and evolution of savage slang terms over time.
Savage Slang in Internet Culture
The internet provided the perfect environment for savage slang to spread quickly. Memes, tweets, videos, and comments sections all amplified and reinforced savage as a desired attitude. Some examples of savage internet slang include:
- Twitter: Tweets describing someone as a savage for a bold clapback or insult.
- Instagram: Captions or hashtags using savage slang terms to compliment edgy content.
- YouTube: Video titles and comments hyping savage moments in vlogs or gameplay.
- TikTok: Sounds, captions, and hashtags that celebrate savage behavior.
Younger generations especially amplify online content described as savage, lit, wildin’, or best mode. However, many internet users also criticize glorifying and promoting “savage” behavior as immature.
Hashtags Related to Savage Slang on Social Media
Social media hashtags help track and spread online slang terms. Some popular hashtags related to savage include:
- #savage – General use for anything intense and unapologetic.
- #zerochill – No regard for limits or consequences.
- #nof**ksgiven – Indifference and disregard.
- #turntup – Being wild and overly excited.
- #beastmode – Displays of incredible talent or dominance.
Hashtags are highly contextual though. #savage can represent anything from ethically questionable behavior to empowering self-expression depending on the specific online community and how individuals choose to use that slang.
Criticisms of Savage Slang
While often used positively, savage slang terms aren’t without controversy. Some criticisms include:
- Promoting problematic behavior – Being complimented as “savage” can incentivize bad behavior.
- Disrespectful appropriation – Non-Black people using slang terms rooted in Black culture disrespectfully out of context.
- Dehumanizing effects – Describing human beings, their appearance, or actions as savage compares them to wild animals.
- Dismissing mental health – Framing defiant behavior as savage ignores underlying mental health or trauma factors.
Many argue the glorification of “savage” behavior in pop culture irresponsibly promotes aggression, violence, substance abuse, and defiance of law and ethics. Critics advocate condemning concerning behavior rather than complimenting it as savage or beasts mode.
Appropriation also remains a concern, though opinions vary. Some believe slang terms evolve naturally through cultural exchange and adoption by mainstream pop culture. Others argue non-Black people should avoid using terms like savage and wildin’ given their origins in Black slang.
Example Backlash Against Savage Slang
The video game @NBA2K faced backlash in 2020 when it tweeted using savage slang to hype up a new game feature:
The defense is lookin savage in #NBA2K21 Next Gen. Protect the paint and cause turnovers with our new Block System.
Many Twitter users criticized them for using slang inappropriately to promote in-game violence. Others called out savage as “dehumanizing language” when promoting Black NBA players.
Conclusion
Savage represents a complex slang term that embodies themes of defiance, empowerment, aggression, incivility, and liberation. Its meaning remains highly subjective based on factors like culture, generation, context, and individual perspective.
As slang, savage offers flexible expression. But used carelessly as a compliment, it also risks promoting real-world behavior deemed rude, dangerous, or unethical. The word demands thoughtful examination of underlying cultural values and power dynamics in any situation.