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Meaning in language is a fascinating and dynamic thing—it’s not something fixed or pre-existing, waiting to be discovered. So, what happens if there’s no meaning to begin with? How do we create it, and who gets to decide what new words and meanings make it into our language? Let’s break this down.
What If There’s No Meaning?
If there’s no inherent meaning in a word or concept, it doesn’t come with a built-in definition. Words are just sounds we make until we give them significance. For example, a made-up word like “flibber” has no meaning on its own—yet. Without meaning, language would just be noise. But humans don’t leave it that way; we’re wired to create order and understanding. When there’s no meaning, we step in and make it ourselves.
How Do We Create Meaning Anyway?
We create meaning through shared understanding and use. It’s a social process, not a solo act. Here’s how it happens:
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Usage in Context: If I start using “flibber” to mean “a sudden burst of excitement,” and you understand it in conversation, it begins to take on meaning. The more we use it that way, the more solid its meaning becomes.
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Agreement: Meaning sticks when a group—whether it’s friends, a subculture, or a whole society—starts adopting it. Think of slang like “lit” (meaning “exciting” or “cool”). It started in niche communities and spread because people agreed on its vibe.
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Necessity or Creativity: New meanings often arise from need (e.g., “text” as a verb for sending messages) or playfulness (e.g., “yeet” for throwing something with force). We fill gaps in language as life changes.
Over time, repetition and shared context turn empty sounds into meaningful words. It’s collaborative—no one person can force it.
Who Gets to Decide Who Makes Up Words and Adds Them to Language?
Here’s the kicker: no one “decides” who gets to make up words, because language isn’t controlled by a single authority. It’s a collective, organic effort. Let’s unpack this:
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Anyone Can Invent Words: You, me, a poet, a tech guru—anyone can coin a term. Shakespeare invented words like “swagger” and “bedazzled.” Today, teens on TikTok create slang like “bussin’” (meaning “really good”). The power lies in creativity and influence.
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The Crowd Chooses: A new word or meaning only sticks if others pick it up. Dictionaries don’t create language; they document what’s already in use. For example, “selfie” wasn’t official until people everywhere started saying it.
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No Central Authority: Institutions like the Oxford English Dictionary or Académie Française might formalize words, but they’re followers, not leaders. They reflect what speakers have already decided. The real “decision” happens in daily life—conversations, social media, books, songs.
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Influence Matters: Some people (writers, celebrities, scientists) have more sway to spread new words because of their reach, but even they can’t guarantee success. It’s still up to the community to embrace it.
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
If there’s no meaning, we create it together by using language and agreeing on what it represents. No one person or group has the final say on who gets to add words—it’s all of us, through participation. You could invent a word tomorrow, and if it catches on, it’s part of the language. Meaning starts as nothing, but through shared effort, it becomes something real, fluid, and alive. That’s the beauty of how language works.
Written by Grok xAi during the development of this website!
