8+9 is a derogatory term that emerged in Taiwan in the 2010s. It originates from the Taiwanese Hokkien pronunciation pat-ka-chiòng of the local folk tradition "Eight Generals" (八家將). Due to the stereotype that many participants in the Eight Generals troupes are young males with lower socioeconomic status and educational attainment, and are often associated with Taiwanese gangs, the term "8+9" has come to be used by netizens to refer to young males with similar socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, rather than to the troupes themselves.[1]
After the lifting of martial law in Taiwan, many Eight Generals troupes were controlled by Taiwanese gangs, with members often being young males with lower socioeconomic status and educational attainment. Besides participating in religious and folk activities, media reports frequently highlighted their involvement in gang fights, drug use and trafficking, reckless driving, corrupting minors, abducting girls, violent debt collection, sexual assault, and organized crime.[2][3][4] This has led to strong and persistent negative stereotypes associated with "8+9".
Around the 2010s, this term began to be used in internet culture by netizens to refer to young males with lower socioeconomic status and educational attainment.[5][6][7] This term carries negative connotations locally, similar to terms like "delinquent youth" or "brat". Critics argue that the behaviors of those labeled as "8+9" often do not align with mainstream social values, including gang fights, reckless driving, or engaging in online flame wars.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Cai Yiwen (19 April 2022). "Do Women All Love "8+9"?". Vision Project. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ "女研究廟會 遭八家將強姦". Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ "吸毒年輕化 名校也淪陷". Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ "男藉八家將名義吸收青少年 從事暴力討債". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ "「八嘎囧」晚上都在幹嘛？網友專業文被推爆". Archived from the original on 17 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "不是「八嘎囧」…他們是全國家將團始祖". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ "正面對決姊姊的八嘎囧 肥宅文「甲上」". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.