From boba to bore-up: Sexual metaphors as slanguage on TikTok in Indonesia
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Abstract
This study explores the use of sexual metaphors in slang generated by Indonesian youth on TikTok, emphasizing the cultural and gendered meanings embedded within linguistic creativity. It is grounded in the conceptual metaphor theory of Lakoff and Johnson (1981) and Kövecses (2006) and informed by a sociolinguistic lens. It analyzes forty-five metaphorical terms derived from thirty-seven viral TikTok accounts. The data reveal four dominant metaphor domains: sexual organs, female body parts, automotive mechanics, and agriculture. Morphological strategies, including blending, reduplication, and acronyms, are employed to encode sexual cues in playful and euphemistic forms. The findings demonstrate a persistent objectification of the female body, frequently depicted as passive and susceptible to consumption, exemplified by concepts such as “boba,” “fields,” and “milk.” Conversely, male sexual agency is portrayed as active and mechanized, as illustrated by terms such as “mechanic” and “bore-up engine.” These metaphorical choices contribute to the perpetuation of heteronormative gender ideologies within the Indonesian youth culture. This article explores the function of sexual language in digital youth spaces, which emphasizes its role as both slang and a discourse surrounding desire, identity, and power. The implications for media literacy and cultural discourse awareness are discussed.
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