avatarYohan J.

Summary

The 23rd word in the Gen Z Words Series is "Stan," which means looking up to someone like a role model but with a darker side, inspired by Eminem's song and music video "Stan."

Abstract

The article discusses the 23rd word in the Gen Z Words Series, "Stan," which means looking up to someone like a role model but with a darker side. The term is inspired by Eminem's song and music video "Stan," which shows the alarming consequences of obsessive fandom. The author explains that people often want to escape their mundane lives by becoming identical to their role models, which can be dangerous if they lose their own identity. The author also provides a link to dictionary.com for more information on the history and origin of the term "Stan." The article ends with the author attempting to use the word in three sentences and inviting readers to comment on their usage.

Bullet points

  • The 23rd word in the Gen Z Words Series is "Stan."
  • "Stan" means looking up to someone like a role model but with a darker side.
  • The term is inspired by Eminem's song and music video "Stan."
  • The music video shows the alarming consequences of obsessive fandom.
  • People often want to escape their mundane lives by becoming identical to their role models.
  • Losing one's own identity can be dangerous.
  • The author provides a link to dictionary.com for more information on the history and origin of the term "Stan."
  • The author attempts to use the word in three sentences and invites readers to comment on their usage.

Gen Z Words Series (23/30)

One Work Study Taught me 30 words GenZ uses. I am here to share them with you.

Made in Canva! You will understand why I made this poster if you see the Music video “Stan”

The 23rd word is “Stan” I have been told that it means “you look up to that person.”

This word came with a deeper explanation from our work-study. Inspired by the world-renowned rapper Eminem the word “Stan” meant looking up to someone almost like your role model (but there is a darker side). If you ever saw the Music video “Stan” you will know what this “darker side” means. If you haven’t seen the music video you can check it out below:

During class, I was told to watch this video and it hit me. When a person looks up to someone and that becomes an obsession it can be a very alarming thing. In the world of celebs, you see your hardcore fans. I mean the fans that go to every concert and chant every song like some type of possessed person. It is pretty scary.

I have seen a video on YouTube of an obsessed fan who literally came on stage to touch one of the members of a girl group and thank goodness the security detail tackled that maniac. But, this word comes with a solemn worry. People are obsessed with being identical to a person they look up to because they think their role model is perfect. They want to escape from their mundane lives and want to embrace something that to them seems divine.

The music video “Stan” is a chilling reminder if someone doesn’t know who they are and don’t have self-identity and goes a little bit overboard in fandom and tip to the dark side well the result won’t be pretty. Watching this music video sent chills down my spine the actor in this video was truly marvelous in acting the part of a die-hard fan and it sends a life lesson. Find your own path in life. Looking up having role models that are fine. But, if the person you look up to and your role model steal your whole identity something isn’t right.

I also did some personal research and found a whole section on dictionary.com on some history and origin of the phrase, Stan. If you have time why don’t you check it out? Direct link below:

Final Test: Attempt to Use the Word!

I am going to do this on all episodes. I will try to attempt to use these words. I am going to write three sentences. Make sure all Gen Z that I am using this term correctly and comment me that I am correctly using it or I am not using it correctly.

  1. Don’t be Stan! Be appreciative of your role model.
  2. Wow, I think BTS Stan’s are a bit um… overboard don’t you think? (Please note I have nothing against BTS fans) If you ask me about BTS I will have no idea who they are other than they are some boy group and did some UN speech and is really famous that is about it.
  3. Who do you, Stan? Me, I don’t know. I look up to my father and family but I won’t go as saying it is Stan. It is more respect and appreciation. I have some people I appreciate and respect and aspire to follow. So, I would say more like Low-Key Stan.

Thanks for reading this friends. I hope you can do way better than me in using the word “Stan”.

Feel free to help me out if you can, and let me know in the comments if I used “Stan” correctly or if I blew it 🤣. Thanks and I hope to see you all next episode!

Culture
Gen Z
Role Models
Obsessions
Identity
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