>>106170197That's a great question — and kind of a funny one too.
The idea that AI chatbots "invented" em dashes is a mix of misunderstanding, generational language trends, and the way AI tends to write. Here's what might be going on:
1. AI Uses Em Dashes a Lot
Chatbots like me tend to favor em dashes because:
They're useful for adding emphasis or breaking up sentences.
They feel more "neutral" or "formal" than parentheses or commas.
They work well in structured, clear writing — something AI is designed to produce.
Over time, users have noticed this and started associating em dashes with AI-generated writing.
2. Zoomers Prefer Casual, Stream-of-Consciousness Writing
Zoomers often use:
Ellipses (...) for pauses.
Line breaks for dramatic effect.
Lowercase style for tone.
Em dashes can seem overly formal or robotic to them — so when they see someone using them frequently, especially in a stiff or polished tone, it feels like an AI thing.
3. They’re Mistaking Association for Origin
Since em dashes pop up a lot in AI responses, some might think AI "invented" them — even though em dashes have been around for centuries in English writing (and widely used by authors like Emily Dickinson, Virginia Woolf, and many more).
TL;DR
Zoomers joke that AI invented em dashes because:
AI overuses them.
Em dashes feel “bot-like” in tone.
Zoomers favor different writing conventions.
But no — em dashes have very human roots.
Want a crash course in how to use them like a pro?
