The Origin of Mewing
Coined initially within the orthodontics circle, ‘mewing’ was named after Dr. John Mew. This British orthodontist started promoting a series of exercises emphasizing proper tongue posture for better facial and jaw development. These tongue exercises were initially meant for medical purposes but resonated with various online communities, altering its meaning in the process.
Understanding Mewing in Slang
Mewing, in the slang context, refers to a specific form of facial workout aimed at enhancing one’s facial structure and aesthetics. It involves exerting pressure at the roof of the mouth using your tongue, which is believed to sculpt the jawline and cheekbones over time. This fitness trend has gained vast popularity among online communities, especially those invested in physical self-improvement and beauty standards.
Mewing in Pop Culture
The concept of mewing took off in the pop culture realm when it hit YouTube. Several influencers began endorsing this ‘natural’ way of altering one’s facial structure by uploading ‘before and after’ videos showcasing the alleged effects of mewing. This further intensified the craze, making mewing a famous slang term and practice among the young population.
The Science Behind Mewing
Despite its trendy status, the effectiveness of mewing is still subject to debate within the scientific community. Some believe that maintaining proper tongue posture could yield subtle changes in facial structure over time, while others argue that significant change isn’t possible after a certain age once bones have stopped growing. To date, no extensive studies have been conducted to verify the effect of mewing on face shape, meaning the slang term is more popular for its hyped transformation stories rather than concrete scientific evidence.
Summary
Originating from the orthodontic world and spiraling into the universe of Internet slang, mewing is a term that signifies a specific tongue posture exercise. While it serves as a part of pop culture and emerging fitness trends, the true impact of mewing is yet to be scientifically established. As such, one should approach this trend with a dose of critical thinking until further studies validate its effects.
