The Infantilization of Language in Woke America

Once upon a time, Americans expressed gratitude with clarity and dignity. A firm handshake, a respectful “thank you,” or a straightforward “I appreciate it” sufficed. But in the age of participation trophies, crying CEOs, and emotional support water bottles, a new breed of pseudo-gratitude has infested the public square: the phrase “I appreciate you.”

Make no mistake—this phrase is not a harmless linguistic shift. It is the linguistic equivalent of a grown man wearing a “Cozy Gamer” hoodie while sipping a lavender latte. It is soft. It is performative. It is, in every sense of the word, peak millennial nonsense—and now it is infecting Gen Z and corporate America like a virus with no known vaccine.

When Did “I Appreciate You” Replace “I Appreciate It”?

Let us be clear: “I appreciate it” is fine. It is grammatically correct, action-oriented, and restrained. You thank someone for what they did, not for simply existing.

“I appreciate you,” on the other hand, exploded in popularity sometime around 2017, coinciding with the rise of therapy culture, emotional intelligence seminars, and the kind of social media influencers who cry on Instagram Live after losing a brand deal.

It gained traction in self-help books, New Age podcast interviews, and of course, HR memos written by managers who use words like “space,” “holding,” and “authenticity” with a straight face. It was a phrase born not out of genuine gratitude, but out of the collective need to feel something. Even if that something…