Kurt Cobain’s influence continues to be a prominent feature at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. As the iconic Nirvana frontman and local hero, Cobain’s impact on pop culture remains significant even three decades after his death by suicide.

Recently, some museum-goers were taken aback by a sign in one of the exhibits referring to Cobain’s death as: “Kurt Cobain un-alived himself at 27.” The term “unalived” has gained traction on TikTok as a way to circumvent content moderation related to death, and it has since been adopted more broadly as a softer way to discuss sensitive topics like suicide.

The use of “unalived” in a museum setting, particularly in reference to Cobain, surprised many visitors. Some felt it was disrespectful and avoided addressing suicide directly. The term’s appearance was even compared to Newspeak from George Orwell’s “1984” by some critics.

The Museum of Pop Culture has not yet commented on the matter. A second sign nearby reportedly stated that the term “unalived” was used by the exhibit’s guest curator to show respect for those who have died due to mental health issues.

Adam Aleksic, a linguist specializing in online language trends, wasn’t surprised by the term’s museum appearance. He noted that while it represents a formal endorsement of the term, it has been used informally for a while. Nicole Holliday, an acting associate professor of linguistics at UC Berkeley, explained that “unalived” is part of a broader shift towards sensitive language, especially as younger generations bring their digital vernacular into real life. The term’s persistence in the lexicon indicates its growing acceptance.

The term “unalived” originally appeared in a 2013 episode of “Ultimate Spider-Man” before gaining new life on TikTok. As TikTok users faced content suppression when discussing death, they began using “unalived” to evade censorship. By 2021, it had become a common way to reference suicide on the platform.

Despite its origins as a euphemism, “unalived” is now used more broadly by Gen Alpha, who employ it in various contexts, including academic essays and casual conversation. Aleksic suggests that the term’s evolution reflects an ongoing effort to find more comfortable ways to talk about death.

The reaction to the term’s use in the museum underscores the sensitivity around discussing suicide and the challenge of adapting language to address such topics respectfully. The Museum of Pop Culture reportedly updated the placard to state “Kurt Cobain died by suicide” after the controversy.

Language evolves, and while “unalived” might spark debate, it reflects broader shifts in how we approach sensitive topics. Both Aleksic and Holliday agree that despite the controversy, “unalived” has become a permanent fixture in contemporary language.