Have you seen the term 'YMCA' on Twitter or TikTok and you need to find a quick guide on the internet to tell you what this could mean? The term 'YMCA' has been in existence for at least a few decades, and its meaning is not too far removed from what most eighties kids might already think. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this term.
Meaning
The term 'YMCA' is an acronym that achieved widespread popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms as a general reference to gay culture, or as a direct reference to the popular 'YMCA' dance routine that often appears in TikTok challenges and other video content.
'YMCA' also stands for “Young Men's Christian Association”, an organization that became associated with gay culture partially through the song's mention in a 1970s song by the Village People.
The song 'YMCA' was first released in 1978, and makes reference to staying at the YMCA: the term's use on TikTok as an association with LGBTQ+ culture is newer, and only appeared in the 2020s.
The term 'YMCA' can be used as a positive term, and can be used as a tag where anything LGBTQ+ has been shared.
Sometimes, the term just means a direct reference to the Village People song or alternatively a reference to a song by Bo Burnham that references the dance routine from the Village People song and music video.
Example Usage
“Everyone knows about the song YMCA, but I don't think a lot of people had any idea where the song came from until the term started appearing absolutely everywhere on TikTok in 2022.”
“Is it really fun to stay at the YMCA? I mean, the song has been stuck in my head all day since I saw it on TikTok, but now I have to wonder about where the song comes from in the first place.”
“We were going over to a bar, and all of a sudden we were doing the YMCA all over the place. Two hours later we were kicked out of the bar for being disorderly, but I guess that's because we started to dance the YMCA on the tables.”
“I think Lady Gaga should cover the YMCA, her voice is perfect for it, but I think she might not be able to do the dance.”
Origin
The origin of the term 'YMCA' goes all the way back to the 1970s, when the Village People released the popular song YMCA in 1978. The song would soon become a popular club anthem, especially with alternative LGBTQ+ clubs throughout the 70s, 80s and later.
The song in itself references the Young Men's Christian Organization, an organization that is known to offer housing to men who need it – and thanks to the song, became associated with culture and the popular YMCA dance.
Since the song has been released, the 'YMCA' has been popular as a dance that almost everyone in the world who knows the song can identify.
Urban Dictionary definitions of the term 'YMCA' go all the way back to 2005.
A later song by Bo Burnham would reference the dance routine found in the song by the Village People, and this is often credited with the modern resurrection of the term. While the meaning of the song is sexual and somewhat arguably insulting or politically incorrect, references to YMCA are not.
When it appears on TikTok in the early 2020s, the term 'YMCA' became popular again as a general reference for the popular Village People dance, or to refer to the song or dance in TikTok challenges and videos.
After the 2020s, the term 'YMCA' would also mean positive, general things associated with LGBTQ+ culture.
Phrases Similar to YMCA
- Queer
- LGBTQ+
Phrases Opposite to YMCA
- Straight
What is the Correct Saying?
- YMCA
- ymca
Ways People May Say YMCA Incorrectly
There are several ways in which people might misunderstand the context of the term YMCA.
It is not meant to be used as an insult, and the term cannot be used in its plural form unless referring to several forms of the dance (or several copies of the single).
Acceptable Ways to Phrase YMCA
The acceptable way to use the phrase 'YMCA' is accepted as a common reference to the dance, to the Village People or Bo Burnham song, or to general things that are associated with LGBTQ+ culture.