Did Wyze defame an entire state?

Wyze’s email titled ‘February News’ states
‘… Meanwhile, the New York Times awarded Wyze Scale X “the skibidi toilet Ohio rizz Lord of bathroom scales” their top overall pick for best bathroom scale’.

The part in quotes has a strikethrough or line through it. What does that mean? Just because some think it’s cool to bully and denigrate the people there it’s jarring to see even a WA state business doing it.

First the context:
For those that don’t know, “skibidi [toilet] Ohio rizz” is some recent slang Gen Alpha strongly adopted, usually used and intended as a playful and absurd slang term, rather than a serious accusation or false statement (defamation) about the state of Ohio (ie: it wouldn’t qualify as legal defamation under federal or any US states laws). Most people who use Ohio in slang terms don’t even know where it originated or why --partially it stems from Ohio’s otherwise mundane reputation of being seen as a “drive through state” with a relatively low-key lifestyle, it also has its cool charms, beauty, cultural contributions, etc… And it is also sometimes used positively in Gen alpha slang as their slang is versatile and evolving quickly and intent often matters more than the words sometimes (the same words can mean positive or negative things depending on various factors). In this case, the context of the use actually means something completely positive and the best ever. So, rather than defaming Ohio, they’re actually using Ohio in a context where the slang is intended to say it’s the best thing ever, which is the opposite of defaming in Gen Alpha slang.

I know it’s hard to keep up with the Gen Alpha slang right now. It’s fast evolving and sometimes nonsensical, but the translation for this Wyze email is actually extremely positive use. But truth is that it really has nothing to do with Ohio. As far as linguists and speakers are concerned, the use of the word in this context is now completely unrelated to the state in ways that other slang and phrases evolve and mean something completely different than they used to.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the way people use the word “literally” nowadays. Once upon a time, the word “literally” used to actually mean literally and was one of the only ways you could say literally. Now the majority of the time that word is used, people mean the exact opposite of what it originally meant. Often they mean “figuratively” and absolutely not literally, or they are using it as emphasis or some other kind of filler-word that has nothing to do with the original or real definition of the word literally. This drives me absolutely insane, but it is what it is. It’s the same thing here with Ohio. When kids are saying Ohio nowadays, They don’t actually mean the state anymore. It’s totally evolved and changed and means more than the definition of the state.

But also, even though Wyze didn’t intend any real offense to Ohio [this time], it should be pointed out that Wyze marketing team LOVES shock and awe and being completely non-PC in their newsletters with pop-culture references. They’ve previously referenced many controversial social things in jest that offended people in newsletters and videos. They will continue to do so. None of the social outrage changes them away from being playful and making jokes. Lots of people absolutely love them for not acting like robots and instead “treating them like friends” in playful ways.

People who care a lot about consistent and continual professional conduct from a company are advised to avoid all Wyze social media, live events, and marketing material, because I can guarantee there will be lots more slang, pop culture references, controversy, and playful joking that is not all conventional professionalism. This has been ongoing since they were founded.

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I’m very familiar with Wyze and agree one should not to expect buttoned up types, (which is great imo). Doesn’t mean do not question statements that seem derogatory as skibidi toilet Ohio rizz is usually used. The usual use of ‘Ohio’ in slang is still back door insult to Ohioans. It’s likely in Wyze’s area it’s used as a positive expression. I got several texts asking about it and will let them know that. Considering the way Wyze banters made it look questionable.

Like your example of ‘literally’, we use defame outside the literal definition too. Even kids will say defame as meaning talking bad about them. Alpha’s, oy! Supposed to be the biggest generation too. Guess Delta’s popular saying will be, OK Alpher!

I never thought of Ohio as a drive through state. I have seen all 50 states.

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:rolling_on_the_floor_laughing:

Oh man, that will be funny. Too bad I’m not likely to be around when that happens, but at least your prophecy is encoded on the internet here for whenever that day comes. :+1:

Fair point :white_check_mark:

Yeah, it’s a really dumb slang term. I mean, every young generation has lots of dumb slang. I can’t be certain if it just keeps getting worse and more non-sensical and ridiculous, or if it’s just that I’m getting older and my bar for what is “cool” keeps getting refined and more mature as I age and my limbic brain uses less executive functions as the cortex takes over more of my executive function. :man_shrugging: Can’t say that I’d like to go back to my younger brain though. I was an idiot when young. :sweat_smile:

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Yeah, I am not saying I agree with any of it either.

Influencers nowadays take one dumb comment and are so “influential” with their easily influenced audience that things just go viral fast with the majority of people not even knowing why they use it or any historical context and then everyone using it wrong/differently and then it quickly has a bunch of dialectical and regional and tribal variations.

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No doubt most alphers slang does come from online often senseless so-called ‘creators’. Well, apparently I coined ‘alphers’ so am an official creator now? I don’t have a great affinity for Ohio but can’t see using of any of our great states names as an insult. I envy ssummerlin’s comment, would love to visit every one. Scary to think of a time there’s no possibility of being alive. Calculate out to at least to 110 years old lol. Funny not funny.

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