cosplay

Wearing a costume. Not exactly a new concept. The word, though, projects a new concept. It is a gen X/Y concept, related to "just saying". Gen X/Y hate to be held accountable for actions; they consider it an act of violence. So, they have language that says, "I'm doing this, but act like I'm not because that will make me feel better about doing it". "Just saying" means, "I'm going to make a point, but act like I didn't. That way I can have my say, but not have any negative consequences". Cosplay is the same idea. If we still said, "wearing a costume", one might well, and often, ask, "Why are you wearing a costume?" Hoy! "That's about me!" "Uh, uh, uh...I have to give a rationale for my behavior. I never do that! Can't we pretend it's not about me???" So we have cosplay, the activity takes on the responsibility for the actor. "Why are you doing that?" "Because it's cosplay!" If one responded "that's stupid", they can say, "Oh, you're not down with cosplay". If they had said, "I'm wearing a costume" and you said, "that's stupid", it would be about them. And they would feel bad. And never upsetting anyone is what we've taught our vermin so we can shove a few more into the same space without them killing each other.