The Incel Dictionary: What are They Really Saying?

• In Event: Showcasing the Undergraduates of the University of Cincinnati Cybercrime and Behavior Online Research Group

Abstract

Online platforms provide a sense of anonymity that enables individuals to freely express their ideologies and frustrations. Incels, or involuntarily celibate men, use these spaces to discuss their perceived inability to form romantic relationships. However, existing research has not fully explored how incels use language to describe their experiences and express their frustrations. This study examines twenty threads from a public incel forum, selected through keyword searches, to analyze the use of incel-specific vocabulary, including slurs, black-pilled ideologies, and violent rhetoric. Using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis, this research identifies the frequency and contextual usage of these terms. An overall thematic analysis further reveals the major themes in incel discourse, highlighting patterns of self-victimization, misogyny, and ideological reinforcement. The resulting lexicon provides a foundation for future research on incel language, online radicalization, and extremist rhetoric.

Authors

• Emily Dinnino, University of Cincinnati

• Kaylin Coe, University of Cincinnati

• Allison Cisternino, University of Cincinnati

• Qaseem Tak, University of Cincinnati

• Sam Lambert, University of Cincinnati

• James Kuhlman, University of Cincinnati

• Tala Hamdan, University of Cincinnati

• Selma Younes, University of Cincinnati

• Samantha Ernest, University of Cincinnati

• Sami Rowlett, University of Cincinnati