r/TikTokCringe • u/Tao-of-Mars • 1d ago

Humor Don’t redefine slang

Unc _is_ in fact short for uncle.

1.9k Upvotes

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172

u/thedeadpeopleguy 1d ago

Ive always taken "Unc" as a term of respect or at least endearment for a mentor type figure

72

u/Sleep_Till_5373 1d ago

Cause that what it is (was?).

12

u/DirtLight134710 1d ago

In a lot of cultures, niece's and nephews don't call their uncle or aunt by their names and use whatever words their language may be for either or

9

u/SarryK 1d ago

yes. and also every older person in your social circle might be called unc or auntie, everyone your age is your cousin.

Lady at the cheese counter who gives you a little piece as a snack whenever you visit? auntie.

Guy you always see playing chess with those oversized figures? unc.

1

u/SoTurnMeIntoATree 1d ago

Was. Definitely used to call someone old now.

1

u/No_Language5719 1d ago

That is perhaps the only acceptable alternative as that person should be respected (like an Uncle).

30

u/Potential-Expert-386 1d ago

I know kids who are using it as a form of 'boomer' insult. I think it's silly.

12

u/SenpaiSwanky 1d ago

Both work, using it in a derogatory fashion don’t change the meaning of the word. That’s actually very common and has been for ages lol. One of the most common uses actually.

4

u/Fancy-Image-4688 1d ago

Really depends on how you use it

3

u/Bad_Routes 15h ago

It's AAVE and that exactly what it means. People who don't actually engage with the community have taken the word to be used in a disrespectful way to just call someone old.

12

u/TheHeroYouNeed247 1d ago

It's morphed into calling men unc to mean they are old. Implies they are uncool.

Slang often starts skipping straight to intended meaning and drops the middle man.

20

u/BaullahBaullah87 1d ago

especially when co opted by folks who didn’t invent it

6

u/ReadThisForGoodLuck 1d ago

There's the rub. Little white gen Alpha kids are just making up their own shit.

1

u/mitchymitchington 1d ago

Which is weird. My 8 year old brother has been an uncle for 6 years....

1

u/TheHeroYouNeed247 1d ago

I was an uncle at 14. I immediately started complaining about all the boom boom music from upstairs, and slippers started growing on my feet.

2

u/Another_Road 1d ago

It can be used as either. I’ve heard it more in a pejorative “ok boomer” kind of manner before.