Chapulling (Turkish: Çapulcu, Turkish pronunciation: [t͡ʃapuɫd͡ʒu]) is a neologism originating in the Gezi Park protests, coined from Prime Minister Erdoğan's use of the term çapulcu (roughly translated to "marauders")[2] to describe the protesters. Çapulcu was rapidly reappropriated by the protesters, both in its original form and as the anglicized chapuller and additionally verbified chapulling, given the meaning of "fighting for your rights".[1] Chapulling has been used in Turkish both in its anglicized form and in the hybrid word form çapuling.
The word quickly caught on, adopted by the demonstrators and online activists, and became a viral video.[3] Many took the concept further by integrating the unique nature of the demonstrations and defined it as "to act towards taking the democracy of a nation to the next step by reminding governments of their reason for existence in a peaceful and humorous manner."[4] Variations of chapulling were also coined for other languages.[5]
- ^ a b AFP, The Express Tribune, 8 June 2013, 'Chapulling': Turkish protesters spread the edgy word
- ^ Luke Harding, The Guardian, 10 June 2013, Turkish protesters embrace Erdoğan insult and start 'capuling' craze
- ^ Everyday I'm Çapuling !, YouTube video released June 4, 2013
- ^ "What Is Capuling? 'Everyday I'm Çapuling' Turkish Protest Video Goes Viral". Ibtimes.com. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
- ^ Posta, 5 June 2013, Yeni Internet Fenomeni - Chapulling (in Turkish)