Simp, Brooke Do Couto

Simp

Brooke Do Couto

The term, simp, originates from the word simpleton, which was first used to describe a gullible or easily fooled individual. Since then the shortened slang “Simp” has had a resurgence in pop culture continuously shifting in meaning. In the late 80s, the term simp saw its first major resurgence in pop culture when it was used by West Coast rappers and later Three 6 Mafia. During this time simp became synonymous with being “soft” and was often used to contrast the image of pimping as tough. Although not completely gendered this rendition of the term simp saw echoes of what it was seen as today. In recent years simp has resurfaced as a term that describes a man that is overly desperate for women, being persistent even if the woman is undeserving n or has expressed her disinterest in him. Simp culture became a phenom in youth culture as its popularity is mainly attributed to the reiteration of the term across social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, twitch, and Reddit. As the term gained popularity the meaning of the term shifted to refer to any man/ boy that showed interest or respect for women. It became common in comments both online and offline to call a young boy a simp for agreeing with a female take or doing small actions of affection. Today youth use the term simp commonly, some using it as banter and others using it as a demining insult. While some may argue the term is harmless I argue its overuse amongst teenagers can shine a light into complex gender politics. Both in the 80s and the present day simping attributed a layer of softness and femininity to the subject, due to this simping is looked down upon as an insult amongst men. The term becomes problematic when overused among teenage boys as it internalizes the idea of being “soft” or “affectionate” as unmasculine and therefore insulting. The sensationalism of the term amongst teens points to ways gender and sexuality is still a complex issue among teens. If being a simp is seen as bad, then being affectionate, or respectful towards females is also seen as bad. Teenage boys who truly feel offended by the term, simp, may attempt to mitigate the insult by internalizing the idea that they should be wary of showing affection or “softness”. Some may project this internalization onto other boys, deeming those who appear affectionate as simps and those who don't as men. The term inadvertently takes stereotypical binary images of masculinity as hard and femininity as soft, insulting those who dare to cross the lines. The analysis of the term simp and its uprising in youth culture is important as it shows the way youth today are capable of resurfacing and sensationalizing a phenomenon themselves. As well as it also highlights the ways traditional societal views of gender are still internalized in youth and echoed in pop culture. Definitions

"simpleton, n." OED Online, Oxford University Press, September 2022, www.oed.com/view/Entry/179965. Accessed 1 November 2022.

“SIMP.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Oct. 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simp.

“SIMP.” Urban Dictionary, 2020, https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Simp.