Did you ever come across a conversation like, “Mewing is the secret to a perfect jawline,” and thought, Wait, what? Like me, you probably assumed it had something to do with cats. I smiled, nodded, and pretended I knew what they were talking about. But later, when I scrolled through TikTok and saw memes about mewing, I realized I had no clue. That’s when the deep dive began.
Turns out, it’s not about cats or even birds making high-pitched sounds. It’s a viral trend blending beauty hacks, orthodontics, and internet humor. After hours of research, I can finally break it down for anyone still as confused as I was.
Mewing refers to a technique where you press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to improve facial structure.
The term “mewing” is directly tied to Dr. Mike Mew and his father, Dr. John Mew, who pioneered orthotropics.1 They theorized that proper tongue posture could positively influence jaw growth and alignment. However, the concept was later adopted into internet culture, where it morphed into a trend about achieving beauty standards.
It’s important to note that the scientific community remains skeptical about mewing’s effectiveness. 2
The internet thrives on things that are easy, free, and promise transformation. Mewing ticks all those boxes. Here’s why it’s everywhere:
With millions of views under the hashtag #mewing, TikTok has turned this niche practice into a cultural moment. People post “before and after” videos claiming dramatic results, often backed by catchy music and captions like, “One week of mewing, and my jawline is fire!”
@coloradorapids Gotta keep the jawline defined 🤫 #ColoradoRapids #RapidsAcademy #mew ♬ original sound – Colorado Rapids
Let’s face it, the internet loves a good laugh. Mewing has inspired countless jokes about instant transformations and over-the-top expectations. My personal favorite? “I mewed for an hour, and now I’m waiting for my modeling contract.”
How Is Mewing Used in Slang?
The word mewing has morphed into slang, often used casually or humorously. Here are a few examples:
- “You’re not mewing yet? How are you surviving 2024?”
- “Mewing is the new planking – everyone’s doing it for clout.”
- “Mewing is my gym for the face. Gains incoming!”
Does Mewing Actually Work?
Here’s where things get real. According to orthodontists and medical professionals, the jury’s still out.
- Potential Benefits:
- It may improve tongue posture.
- It might encourage better jaw alignment.
- Over a long time, it could enhance facial symmetry slightly.
- Limitations:
- It’s not a quick fix; results (if any) take years.
- There’s no solid evidence that mewing drastically changes facial structure.
- Genetics play a much larger role in appearance than tongue posture.
So, if you’re hoping for overnight results, mewing might disappoint. But if you’re looking for better posture and a fun internet trend to join, why not?
Mewing might not turn you into a supermodel, but it’s definitely turned into a conversation starter. Whether you see it as a genuine practice or just a fun internet trend, it’s hard to ignore. And the next time someone casually mentions mewing, you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about – and maybe even join in with a meme or two.
Because at the end of the day, if mewing can give us a laugh while improving posture, isn’t that a win-win?