The Polish language is constantly changing thanks to neologisms created by successive generations. This makes the number of words that are incomprehensible to certain groups of society constantly increase. An example of a phrase often used by young people is just essa. What is this word, what does it mean and how did it come into being?
Origin of the word essa
Not every user of the Polish language can explain what the word means essa and where this phrase came from. However, the fact of unfamiliarity with the neologism can be excused - the word was taken from the ever-growing youth slang. In turn, the language of youth often borrows certain things from foreign languages, especially English, as well as from pop culture (the word is most often found on TikTok). To understand your interlocutor, you should find out what kind of language - here slang - he expresses his desires. Thus, if you want to understand young people, you need to know what they are saying to you. Conversely, you, trying to make contact, need to know what you are saying.
For the first time, the Internet learned the word essa from a song by a young rapper Wini, who titled his song with the very word Essa:
Tablets, amphetamines, ganja, vodka
All by government
And when such a one had too much
He continued to add to the stove
This is how the crazies played
And they were shouting ESSA at the same time!
The lyrics influenced the audience so much that even other online artists started using the neologism in their own songs. For example, Stachursky and BBX in 2017 released a single titled ESSA. The popularity of the word began to grow rapidly, so the young rapper was asked to explain the meaning of this unusual word. Asked about the origin of this catchy word, Wini replied that he took it from his friends At events in Szczecin. It was there that he came into contact with young people who, often under the influence of intoxicating substances, shouted the word joyfully: essa! In such a situation, it meant that You're having a good time at a party and want to express it through a shout out.
Growing interest in the word led to its submission to the annual poll for the 2019 and 2021 Youth Word of the Year. Ultimately essa did not place in the final three in any of these polls.
The meaning of the word essa
Because youth slang is constantly evolving, the original meaning of the word essa has also been slightly modified. Currently, there are three basic forms of use of this neologism, which you should know in order to understand your interlocutor.
- In the first sense essa functions as an exclamatory word and is used most often in moments of euphoria, victory over something/someone or bursting pride. It is usually pronounced during the apogee of joy, because it is in happy situations that it is used. For example: you can use the word essaif you have passed the next level in the game, got a good grade on a test or finished the school year, but you are unlikely to use it in situations unfavorable to yourself. You should not shout: Essa! I got a one on my math test! Unless you aspired just for this grade. Therefore, the neologism is used in situations with positive overtones, when you have achieved success. At the same time, it is important to remember that the rank of victory does not count, they can be both big and small achievements. The important thing is to have fun while winning them.
- In the second sense, the phrase essa is used as a greeting or farewell to someone. Although it occurs less frequently in this context than the joyful shout, it can be encountered when people who are close to each other (and speak the same slang) say goodbye after a meeting.
- The last meaning gained a spiritual dimension - essa also became a lifestyle, and those guided by its determinants set their sights on the following goals satisfaction with life. Above all, they should have great faith in their abilities, disregard adversity and hurtful opinions of other people, and avoid unwanted conflicts. At the same time, they are aware of their successes and will not fail to mention them - however, they are not braggarts - they simply want to convey their joy to their friends. In addition, they are characterized by peace of mind and relaxation, as they prefer to deal with their own situation, rather than the lives of others. It follows that essa is a state of mind, giving hope that each day can bring something happy. This kind of philosophy of life is similar to the thought of Epicurus Carpe Diem (seize the day), according to which you should act in such a way that you don't miss any moment and remember them all, so that then you can say that you really lived.
Synonyms for the word essa
Depending on the context used, the word essa can be replaced in a variety of ways that further approximate the importance of this formulation and expand the vocabulary:
- In the sense of an exclamatory word: great, super, perfect, brilliant, divine, magnificent, dashing, bombastic;
- In the sense of greeting/goodbye: take care, hello, see you, hey, bye, bye;
- In the sense of lifestyle: carpe diem, hygge (comfort, happiness, security, inner balance).
Have essa and be on essa
There are two meanings of the phrase have essa: The first is used in the context of a person who is relaxed and remains calm even during stressful moments. The second, on the other hand, is identical to the phrase be at essie and refers to being under the influence of alcohol at a party, because it is under the influence of liquor that the mood improves and the person becomes less tense. Again, essa refers to a state of joyful ecstasy and happiness, so it has the function of expressing positive expression.
