Of course, the fact that language is constantly under construction means that it's never perfect-and the proliferation of the letter 'x' is no exception. 'As our culture changes, we may need new words or reconsider existing words…language affects how we view the world and behave.' The uptick in use of and interest in words using 'x' (like folx, womxn, and Latinx), then, is a direct reflection of society's need for terms that support identities that don't fit in a gender binary, like genderqueer, trans, and agender people, among many others. 'Language is part and parcel of what we call culture, but also a driver of culture,' Dr.

They're intended to promote inclusivity, but given that intent and impact are two very different things, there's debate around whether the 'x' actually makes a word more inclusive.Īccording to Cornelia Lahmann, PhD, a linguistic expert with the language-learning platform Babbel, language evolves to fit cultural needs. 'Folx,' 'womxn,' and 'Latinx” are all terms that have all spiked in Google searches over the last five years and have become the subject of lengthy subreddits focused on understanding the problematic nature of binary-centered language (male vs female).

Folx dmg