“Septum arms” is the latest TikTok phrase to leave social media users respectively confused, offended and bewildered.
The obscure terminology began trending on the platform following a series of videos that reference it, but do not explicitly state what it means – prompting widespread bafflement and irritation.
With more than two thirds of TikTok users aged between 18-34, this Gen Z digital landscape has seen the emergence of a new kind of language, known as “algo-speak”, which aims to substitute words which may prompt moderators to remove a post.
Examples include “unalive” for “dead” and “seggs” for sex.
However, “septum arms” does not appear to fall into this category – so what is the meaning behind the phrase?
What does ‘septum arms’ mean?
In anatomy, a septum is a dividing wall between soft tissues – for example, the nasal septum is the thin wall that separates your right and left nostrils.
Septum intermusculare laterale brachii refers to the band of fascia – walls of tough connective tissue – that separate sections of the arm.
This is not believed to be the definition that is trending on social media, however. There is no conclusive definition, in fact – but plenty of different opinions across social media.
Some have claimed it is referring to nose piercings in the septum.
Others suggest it is connected to discussions of self-harm – a particular area of concern on social meida.
Another explanation is that it signifies thick or fat arms.
“For those that don’t know, there was a video about septum piercings and the search was ‘septum arms’ and no one knows what it actually is,” wrote one user who appeared to mock the phrase.
“There was this guy that made fun of girls having septum piercings but then made a video about how it’s wrong to make fun of a girls arms (like the scars on them)”, explained another.
A third chipped in to try and shed some light on the matter: “Chunky arms, even if the rest of the body is proportionately on the thinner side. I think”
Another added “It’s a misconception from another creator’s video about SH [self harm] because someone brought up people having septum piercings”.
“Septum arms are a fake term made up by the people who try and be trendy”, asserted another.
“Y’all gotta stop coming up with all these new words, I can’t keep up and I’m only 30,” wrote one.
If you are losing the will to live right now, please know that you are not alone.
Where did the phrase ‘septum arms’ originate?
As with the definition, the origin of “septum arms” is disputed and unclear, with multiple explanations offered.
One positive outcome of the bizarre trend is the opportunity many users have taken to criticise any phrase aiming to undermine or insult women’s bodies, which is broadly what the term is believed to refer to.
“PLEASE, enough is enough,” began one user.
“It is time we focus on being grateful we HAVE bodies at all instead of continuously finding ways to believe that they are never going to be ‘good LOOKING enough’,” they wrote.
“Who are they and why are we giving this any attention,” commented another. “THEY are bored and insecure so they need to find random things to call out. Don’t feed them.”
One user, believing the term to refer to larger arms, commented: “Oh…. I have that. I didn’t know that’s what the name is. Oh well! Still wearing a tank top.”
Another showed off her pink sleeveless dress with the caption: “After finding out what ‘septum arms’ are, I am no longer wearing this jacket today,” before posing for the camera and putting on sunglasses.
The last word goes to Nick Dykstra, posting in a tortured TikTok debate: “3 am, drunk, tryna figure out what septum arms are. I’m 36 yes old. when my parents were this age, I was 18, and they were getting divorced. idk where I’m going w this.”
We sympathise.