What Does “Eshkere” Mean: The Origin and Popularity of a Youth Slang Meme

Modern youth slang changes at an incredible speed. Some expressions disappear without a trace, while others become real cultural phenomena. The word “eshkere” belongs to the latter category — it has firmly entered the vocabulary of teenagers and is actively used on social media. Let’s figure out what this mysterious term means and why it has become so popular.

What does “eshkere” mean in youth slang

Eshkere is an emotional expression from modern youth jargon that does not have a strictly defined meaning. The word is used in different contexts and can convey various emotions depending on the situation.

Main meanings of the word “eshkere”:

A call to action — expresses readiness to start doing something, similar to the phrases “let’s go,” “let’s do this,” or “let’s get moving.” For example, before the start of some event, a teenager might shout “eshkere!”, implying “let’s begin.” An expression of excitement — used to demonstrate approval, joy, or admiration. In this context, the word is close in meaning to “cool,” “great,” or “awesome.” When something good happens, young people may react with this exclamation. An emotional reaction — used as an interjection to convey strong feelings such as excitement, enthusiasm, or anticipation. It is a kind of emotional marker that shows a high level of involvement. Just a chant — sometimes the word is used without a specific meaning, simply as a trendy expression or a way to attract attention among peers. Linguists note that the emergence of such neologisms is a natural process in the evolution of language. Youth subcultures have always created their own slang to help identify “their own” and separate themselves from the older generation.

The origin story of the “eshkere” meme

To understand where this unusual word came from, we need to turn to the history of rap culture. The expression originally appeared in the English language as a distorted pronunciation of the phrase “Let’s get it,” which can be translated as “let’s do this” or “let’s take it.”

The role of American rapper Lil Pump

The expression gained widespread popularity thanks to American rapper Lil Pump, who actively used the phrase “Essketit” in his tracks and music videos. In his performance, the fast pronunciation of “Let’s get it” turned into the catchy “Essketit,” which became his signature catchphrase and calling card. The rapper repeated this word at concerts, in interviews, and on social media, which contributed to its spread among English-speaking audiences. Fans began to imitate their idol, and the expression quickly went viral.

Adaptation in Russian-speaking culture

In the Russian-speaking internet space, the word transformed into “eshkere” thanks to local rap artists. A special role in its popularization was played by the Russian rapper Face (Ivan Dremin), who actively used this expression in his work. In the track “Ya ronyayu Zapad” (“I Drop the West”) and other songs, Face repeatedly said “eshkere,” turning it into a meme. Young people quickly picked up the new word, and it spread across social networks, messengers, and everyday speech. By 2017, “eshkere” had become one of the most recognizable youth expressions on the Russian internet. Interesting fact: In 2017, “eshkere” topped the ranking of the most popular memes of the year according to the Yandex search engine, surpassing many other internet phenomena.

How the word is translated and spelled correctly

There are several versions of the origin of the word “eshkere,” but the most reliable one is English. The translation of “eshkere” into Russian is “let’s do this” or “let’s get it,” which corresponds to the original phrase “Let’s get it.”

False versions of origin

Some people have tried to find the roots of the word in Turkic languages. For example, in Tatar there is the word “өşkərə,” meaning “to cast spells,” and in Chuvash there are similar-sounding words. However, these assumptions have not been confirmed and are merely accidental phonetic coincidences. The main and reliable version is its origin from the English phrase “Let’s get it” through the work of Lil Pump and its subsequent popularization in the Russian-speaking environment.

The evolution of the meme’s popularity

The history of “eshkere” is a clear example of how quickly trends change in internet culture. The word went through several stages of popularity, experiencing both peaks of interest and periods of oblivion.

2017–2019: Peak popularity

During this period, “eshkere” reached maximum fame on the Russian internet. The word was used everywhere: in social media comments, in memes, and in everyday conversations among teenagers. Almost every school student knew this expression and used it when communicating with peers. Rapper Face became a true ambassador of the word, and his fans massively picked up the trend. “Eshkere” was heard at concerts, in music videos, and in interviews — the word became an integral part of youth culture of that time.

2019–2022: A lull

After the peak of popularity, interest in “eshkere” began to gradually decline. New memes and trends appeared, displacing older expressions. By 2020, the word no longer held a significant place in current meme culture, although some users continued to use it out of habit.

2023–2024: An unexpected revival

Interest in “eshkere” suddenly revived thanks to the TikTok platform and a wave of nostalgia for memes from past years. Users began to use old expressions in a new, post-ironic context. An additional boost came from the release of the song “Eshkere” by blogger Zhenya Lizogub in February 2024, which gained millions of streams. The word began to appear again in videos, comments, and conversations, although now its use often carried an ironic tone — as a reference to past trends and the “golden age” of the Russian internet.

2025: Current state

At present, “eshkere” maintains its presence in internet culture but is no longer a mainstream meme. The word is perceived more as an element of internet nostalgia and is used in narrow circles of classic meme enthusiasts. This demonstrates the cyclical nature of internet culture, where old phenomena periodically return in a new context.

Why teenagers use youth slang

The use of specific words like “eshkere” is not just a tribute to fashion, but an important social and psychological mechanism. Youth slang performs several functions in the lives of teenagers.

Main reasons for using slang:

Identity formation — slang helps teenagers feel part of a particular community. Knowing current expressions serves as a kind of “passport” into the world of peers and creates a sense of belonging. Separation from adults — youth jargon creates a barrier between generations, allowing teenagers to have their own space for communication. It is a way of saying: “we have our own culture, we are not like you.” Efficient communication — slang expressions allow complex emotions and ideas to be conveyed quickly and concisely. Instead of long explanations, one word understood by all members of the group is enough. Emotional expression — slang is often more vivid and expressive than literary language. It allows emotions and moods to be conveyed more accurately and colorfully. Creating one’s own subculture — through language, teenagers form a unique cultural environment that reflects their interests, values, and worldview at a particular period in time. Psychologists note that adolescence is a time of active self-search and identity formation. Language plays a key role in this process as a powerful tool of self-expression and socialization.

How parents should relate to youth slang

Many adults feel confused when they hear unfamiliar words like “eshkere” from their children. However, it is important to remember that this is a natural part of growing up and forming a teenager’s personality. Recommendations for parents: Show interest — ask your child what a particular word means. This will show your interest in their life and help build trusting relationships. Don’t ridicule — mocking slang can offend a teenager and create a barrier in communication. Remember that for them, this is an important part of their identity. Discuss contexts — explain to your child that different situations require different styles of communication. Youth slang is inappropriate at an exam or a job interview, but perfectly normal among friends. Be attentive — pay attention to the slang your child uses. If expressions with negative or aggressive connotations appear, it is worth discussing this and explaining possible consequences. Maintain balance — do not try to forcibly “speak the language of teenagers” — it can look unnatural and cause the opposite effect.

Conclusion

The word “eshkere” is a vivid example of how internet culture transforms linguistic elements and creates new phenomena. Originating from an English phrase and passing through the work of rappers, this expression became an important part of youth slang in Russia. Although the original meaning — “let’s do this” — has blurred over time, the word continues to perform important social functions. It helps teenagers express emotions, identify themselves with a certain group, and create their own cultural environment. Understanding youth slang is not just about knowing trendy words, but an opportunity to better understand the world of modern teenagers, their values, and their ways of communication. Stay open to new things, and this will help you build more trusting relationships with the younger generation.