‘She’s so mother for that!’ ‘Mothered and how.’ ‘That’s Motha for you.’ If you happen to own a smartphone and your vicinity boasts of a satisfactory internet connection, we can bet you’ve been exposed to the terminologies mentioned above in the wackiest of contexts.
Like why is Lana Del Rey being ordained as the universal mother of all girls, gays and theys with animated edits of a halo plastered over her head? As per her Wikipedia page and my sound knowledge of her personal life (I’m a diehard fan), she’s never actually given birth. So…what’s with the motha and mommy bit?
Well for starters, it’s all because of Gen Z’s continual (yet somewhat unintentional) drive to make everyday lingo as atypical as possible. It’s not like we set out to butcher the original essence of the word, we’re just very ‘quirky,’ you see. We’re not like other generations. Don’t pick me, and definitely don’t choose me.
While Gen Z could easily be credited for spawning the maternal term’s newfangled rise in the internet subcultures, there’s actually some history attached to it. The Black and Latino L.G.B.T.Q. ballroom scene from some time ago used to form groups/ houses, generally directed by a ‘mother.’ One who takes the lead. One who yields power. However, its newer, campy usage is for women in the public eye, with a strong following.
Calling a woman mother is also a method of paying homage to them for the work they’ve put in their respective industry. Mother is Mothering became a famous catchphrase among Taylor Swift fans in March 2023, shortly after she launched her 2023 The Eras Tour across the United States. Not to be confused with ‘daddy,’ a phrase used to highlight (code for simp over) attractive, older and desirable males.
Internet’s Favourite ‘Mothas’
Anne Hathaway: Actress, philanthropist, and Queen of Genovia.
Rihanna: Pop icon and Fenty Beauty business mogul.
Deepika Padukone: Bollywood royalty with an influential presence in the West (soon to be a biological mother).
Beyoncé: Crazy In Love hitmaker who collects dozens of Grammys in her free time.
Zendaya: Fashion icon, brilliant artiste and cause of Tom Holland’s ever-increasing popularity.
The Binary Mandate
Truth be told, the person/act is considered ‘mother’ if it contributes to the status of the person and an individual is usually conferred upon this knighthood of sorts, if they are a well-known feminine figure. Although the term connotes femininity, Gen Z’s welcome reluctance to believe in gender stereotypes makes its usage fluid in a way. Especially for queers.
Also Read: Revisiting 6 Of The Most Stylish Mother-Daughter Duos In Showbiz
