What Does Yapping Mean and Where Does It Come From?

Explore the meaning and origin of yapping, why Gen Z is so obsessed and how to perfect the art of the yap.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've likely come face-to-face with the term "yapping" recently. Yapping is a word resurrected by Gen Z to describe a frenetic — albeit casual and light — conversational flow. 

While the concept of chatting non-stop with friends isn't anything new, younger generations are injecting their own spark into the scene and building trends that cater to the modern world. Connectivity is a core theme linked to Gen Z's love of a good ol' yap as much as the digital platforms that facilitate this kind of conversation and bonding. 

So, what does yapping mean and how do you become a pro? Let's break down the term's origins and explore some pointers to level up your yap game. 

The Origins of Yapping

The first recorded use of the word “yap” was in 1603, when Christopher Heydon, soldier and astrologer, wrote it in his scripts. The term originally described a yapping dog — the high-pitched yelp dogs produce to express excitement or command attention. However, it has since evolved into something entirely new. 

In a modern, Gen Z-driven world, yapping describes vivid verbal exchanges throughout a long, engaging chat between two or more people. It may well unlock the elusive secrets of striking up a conversation with anyone. Here's how it stacks up in the conversational spectrum: 

• Small talk: Getting to know somebody by asking basic personal questions and light chit-chat. Small talk generally exudes free and casual energy fueled by a mutual commitment to building a connection. 
• Yapping: A seamless and unstructured conversation that leverages tangents, digressions and trains of thought to direct the conversational focus into new territories. The vibe is positive, casual and receptive, and usually involves both parties engaging equally in speaking and listening. 
• Spilling tea: Groundbreaking news that absolutely must be shared between friends, like, yesterday. This takes on a more intense and urgent tone with one person doing most of the talking.

So, now we better understand the yapping basics, let's see how it fits into a broader landscape of weird words that describe a good chat. 

Yapping vs. Yacking vs. Yaks

To clarify early, if you've been hearing about Yaks lately, it's highly likely you were involved in a decent yack (or yap) — although the word is not etymologically related. Unlike the loveable Tibetan Yak, a big furry beast living in the alpine tundra of the Tibetan plateau, yacking was a term that came out of the 60s, also referring to conversational flow. 

And it stuck around, too. The imagery of yacking conjures a vision of our much younger moms and grandmothers speaking incessantly on the landline, twirling their fingers around the phone cord for hours on end, way back in the 80s or 90s. The term represents a more traditional, leisurely conversational style that thrives in less tech-saturated environments. 

Yapping is a modern nod to “yacking,” except it's infused with more diverse digital and social undertones. Gen Z's fast, hyperconnected and tech-enabled communication style, while originating from instant messaging and social media, is shifting toward one-to-one video chats and online friendships. Young people can transcend geographic boundaries, culture and personal perspectives, creating a more fertile ground for social bonding and, well, yapping. 

How To Master the Art of Yapping

If yapping was an art, we'd all be artists. As with art, anybody can dive in and get started right away. Similarly, there are techniques and practices to help hone your craft. And remember — Picasso and Monet, while each were masters of their respective disciplines, produced totally different aesthetics. You, too, will develop your own style as you keep practicing. So, here are some tricks to make your yap absolutely fire. 

Read, Watch and Listen Broadly

The central theme surrounding yapping is having a whole lot to say. One of the simplest ways to diversify your conversational repertoire is to expose yourself to new media consistently. Books, music, podcasts, movies, series — you name it — will all shine a new light, introducing ideas and perspectives to yap about. 

And don't be shy of the odd rabbit hole, either. Let's say you hear about a cultural reference from a recently discovered podcast. You decide to Google it, only to learn that it's connected to a 14th-century Serbian dish. The idea is to remain curious and receptive, exploring the world around you with a beginner's mindset — then tell all your friends what you discovered!

Think on Your Feet

Thinking fast and building links between seemingly unrelated concepts is a great way to nebulate a chat. Even more so because yapping is supposed to be lighthearted and casual; you've got space to be as un-serious as you want. 

This could also translate to mindfulness. Even while the chats are moving at a hundred miles an hour, keep a steady mind and ground yourself in the present, so you can truly connect with your conversation partner. This will support a natural flow of movement as you buzz around topics like a bee hunting for nectar among the flowers. 

Use Humor and Wit

Everybody wants to laugh with friends. Humor opens a pathway to new ways of thinking, inviting interesting twists and turns in a discussion. Behind-the-scenes critical thought that results in funny statements keeps our minds sharp and invites new problem-solving techniques inside and outside of a yap. 

Laughing introduces a warm vibe to the convo. It increases feel-good chemicals in the brain, which are a natural stress relief and a powerful tool for bonding. The stronger the bond, the more free-flow your words will show up.

Listen for Key Points

Of course, yapping is about talking. But it's also about listening. Listen carefully to gain a high-level understanding of your chat partner's commentary, then explore the details with follow-up questions. 

Asking questions or repeating back what you've heard is a great way to validate the other person, increasing trust and reciprocity in the discussion. Here are some techniques to listen for key points: 

• Briefly summarize what your friend said. 
• Follow up about why a friend used a specific word.
• Ask about a tangential detail of the story.
• Create alternate realities: “What would you do if…”
• Ask for more information about a particular detail.
• Check in with their feelings on the matter. 

Practice With Live Online Chat Platforms

The more you practice, the better you'll become. And we're not short of testing grounds to yap with others. Video chat platforms, like Azar, allow users to engage with new people in a fun, lighthearted, casual one-to-one video chat online. It's a great space to get out there and practice yapping. 

Of course, most conversations with new friends generally start with small talk and icebreaker questions. So, if you're new to yapping, it may take a few tries before you hit the ground running. That's why putting yourself out there to sharpen your skills is the best thing for it. With a few good yaps behind you, you'll be ready to talk like there's no tomorrow. 

Channel Your Confidence

Another great way to lead a good yap session is to lay your confidence on the table. The beauty of yapping is that even if you're not confident when you start, you'll build it up over time. 

Self-confidence is a critical tool in mental health and social bonding. The more you yap, the more self-assuredness you'll create, preparing for deeper, more meaningful conversations and friendships. It's like a positive energy in an endless feedback loop.

Keep a List of Yapping Ideas

As we move through our days, we often stumble across interesting stories, people and places that would make for a juicy chat. The only problem is we're so busy we can easily forget about half the things we wanted to mention by the time it comes to share.

Keep a small notebook with you and record jokes, words, overheard conversations and anything else that arises in your day. This will achieve a couple of things. For one, it gives you an arsenal of interesting material to yap about. Second, this practice puts you in the seat of the observer, which is great for mental plasticity. And finally, it helps you engage more deeply in your daily experiences, leading to more fulfilling and enriched days. Win, win and win. 

Compliment the Other Person

One of the all-time greatest yapping (and social) tricks is to hand out compliments like they were petal confetti at your best friend's wedding. We like talking to people who make us feel good, and by ensuring your chat pal is comfortable and appreciated in the conversation, they'll likely want to chat with you more. 

Stay laser-focused on all things positive to find traits and accomplishments you genuinely want to admire. This will keep your message authentic. On that note, think about compliments like the sugar in a banana shake — rather than the actual banana. A little bit added at the right time brings out the sweetness without overwhelming the discussion. 

Here are some compliments that propel conversations forward:

• “I really like how you….”
• “[Insert skill] is such an amazing skill, where did you learn to do that?”
• “Have you always been this funny?”
• “I love the way you think about that. How did your perspectives shape over time?"

Yap With New Friends on Azar

Yapping is a fun, social way to connect and unwind. While the concept is not entirely new to humanity, Gen Z is bringing hyper-connected social strata back with a digital twist. Particularly in a post-pandemic world where everything has rapidly digitized, we can take advantage of emerging trends and opportunities for friendship and bonding with a long yap session online. 

And this is exactly where platforms like Azar come in. Designed to support healthy social interconnectedness via one-to-one live video calls, Azar provides a space for Gen Z to forge meaningful friendships over endless yaps in a fun, relaxed and casual space. So, if you're ready to glow up your yap, jump on Azar and start practicing with new and interesting people around the globe.

Ready to yap away? Start Chatting now!