Gen Z Reclaims 'Polyester' as Insult, Echoing Past Usage

Gen Z is increasingly employing the term 'polyester' as a derogatory descriptor, signifying inauthenticity and a lack of genuine quality, a trend that has gained traction on platforms like TikTok. This contemporary usage, however, is not entirely novel, as the term has historically been associated with negative connotations of artificiality and superficiality for decades. The fabric itself, polyester, is a synthetic material derived from petroleum or recycled plastic bottles, a fact that influencers often highlight to emphasize its plastic nature and evoke a sense of disgust. This association with plastic contributes to its perception as inherently 'fake' or low-quality.

On TikTok, "polyester lifestyle" has emerged as a common insult, often used to describe an imagined life characterized by superficial pursuits and a reliance on artificial conveniences. One viral video depicted an 18-year-old's dream life, involving wearing blue-light glasses, having an AI agent assist with work, and receiving sudden business trip notifications, all juxtaposed with the gradual fading in of an image resembling the Unabomber. This juxtaposition suggests a critique of a life perceived as overly manufactured or lacking substance.

Linguistically, the use of "polyester" to denote something fake or low-quality is a throwback to its earlier adoption as an insult. The Oxford English Dictionary provides examples of its use in this manner dating back to 1979, with phrases like "A gleaming brazen polyester clown," and in 1987, with "Clifton wears polyester suits and a polyester smile." Kory Stamper, a lexicographer and author, noted that TikTok users are currently emphasizing the "inauthentic" and "low-quality" aspects of this established meaning.

Ironically, polyester was once marketed as a revolutionary "miracle" fabric in the mid-20th century. During the 1950s and 1960s, a period often referred to as the "plastic fantastic" era, chemical companies promoted synthetic materials like polyester for their convenience and durability. Its wrinkle-free and quick-drying properties were presented as liberating for housewives, freeing them from the chore of ironing. As polyester production ramped up due to its lower cost compared to natural fibers like cotton, it became ubiquitous. By the 1960s, polyester production surpassed cotton, leading to its widespread availability. However, as the fabric became less novel and more commonplace, its initial appeal waned, and it transitioned from a symbol of modern innovation to a material often associated with cheapness and artificiality, paving the way for its later use as a term of derision.