Why Kids Are Telling Each Other to 'Start Digging in Your Butt Twin' — and Laughing About It

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a day ago

It sounds weird (because it is), but 'SDIYBT' is the latest slang making the rounds with kids—and thankfully, it's not as gross as it seems.
Sometimes it feels like today's kids are in a world of their own, with their own ways of thinking, being, and talking. They create their own entertainment, their own celebrities, and—in a way—their own reality.
At least, that's what I think after finding out that kids are now telling each other to "SDIYBT." The acronym stands for "start digging in your butt twin" and (understandably) has left many adults confused.
The term "SDIYBT" originated from an edit a TikTok user made of a Spongebob Squarepants episode and has since taken off, with tweens and teens making edits of other Spongebob Squarepants clips featuring the acronym. Here's what "start digging in your butt twin" really means, how kids are using it, and whether parents should be concerned.
'SDIYBT' Meaning
So what does 'SDIYBT' actually mean, besides "start digging in your butt twin?"
Some viral examples show kids using the term to reference a friend that is losing focus. One video with over 1 million views features a teen lip syncing to the popular "SDIYBT" audio with text overlay that reads "Trying to lock in with the boys on a game after a loss."
It can also be used to reference someone who has "brain rot" which is an online term that references someone who is perpetually online and adopts all the popular lingo. The stereotype here is that the person who uses "SDIYBT" is sort of mindless.
However, most of the time, "SDIYBT" is just another phrase used nonsensically. Ultimately, kids who say it just want to signal a shared culture and say something their friends find funny. Those who have been following along with teen slang trends this year might notice that a lot of terms Gen Alpha/ Gen Z use are nonsensical. Take the popular term "six seven" for instance, which kids have yelled all spring and summer this year—to the dismay of many teachers.
Though "SYBIT" and "six seven" have distinct origins that might pass as meaning, these phrases don't actually hold much weight conversationally and are instead used to signal an inside joke among kids. Those who are caught up with the latest memes on social platforms will know what the acronym stands for and laugh when they hear it, and those who aren't (adults or otherwise) will be lost in the mix.
So, kids aren't really expecting adults or other kids to start picking at their rear end when they say "SYBIT"—instead they're expecting kids to laugh at the silly meaning behind the acronym, the many memes that come to mind that originated from its usage, and the fact that some adults have no idea what's going on.
How Kids Are Using 'SDIYBT'
The term 'SDIYBT' may have originated on Spongebob Squarepants, but it has taken a life of its own through social media platforms like TikTok. It was used in several video compilations of Spongebob episodes, where kids will dub over a character's line with "start digging in your butt twin."
Kids also began singing it over popular songs like Paramore's "All I Wanted Was You." There are dozens of videos on TikTok that show teens and tweens belting out "start digging your butt twin" during the moment when Paramore's lead singer emotionally shouts "all I wanted was you."
So far, I've seen covers of "Stand by Me" and "Runaway," with kids singing "start digging in your butt twin" in harmony with the instrumentals. There's also videos of teens walking up to other teens saying "start digging in your butt twin" and recording their reactions.
How Did "SDIYBT" Become Popular?
One creator posted a video edit of a scene from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Welcome to the Chum Bucket." In the clip, Plankton asks a robot he created after Spongebob to "make him a Krabby Patty." The robot responds with "start digging in your butt twin." The video amassed over 350,000 views in two weeks and TikTokers began creating their own videos using the audio from the original, according to KnowYourMeme.
Harmful or Harmless?
This isn't the first time kids have repurposed old media to create new slang terms. A few months ago, "rhymes with Grug" was popularized from the 2013 film The Croods. However, teen and tween language moves fast and some parents might be wondering if it's all just in silly fun or if there's something they should be paying attention to.
Ultimately, the "start digging in your butt twin" meme is pretty harmless. For most tweens, it's a funny, cheeky way to address friends or immediately gain attention from a group of their peers. Even though it sounds wildly inappropriate, that's kind of part of the appeal. And most younger kids likely don't even fully grasp why it can be seen as inappropriate and just think it's funny to say the word "butt."
However, if your child is actively online and interacting with "SDIYBT" memes, you should pay attention. I came across a few videos that veer into adults-only territory, including one that depicted an emoji bending over and showing their (very realistic) bare bottom. And some folks may not understand that it's just a silly acronym and could take offense when children say "start digging in your butt twin" to them.
So if you hear your child using the term, it's worth asking them where they heard it and how they use it to gain more insight. Just remember that teen slang moves fast, and by the time they know that you know what it means, it'll already be over.
Read the original article on Parents
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