[sethammons]

I’m noticing a trend of mostly younger people misusing “cringe” and I wonder if it may have to do with dumb videos on YouTube misusing it, or maybe the word is changing. To cringe is to feel disgust or embarrassment that results in a physical reaction such as a grimace. Generally, this can be felt watching very socially awkward situations. Is this what you mean? Or is there a better word, like immature, silly, strange, or something? I think most people are not feeling socially awkward or whatnot referring to a community by a mascot or other title. It is just a silly word for “practitioners of a given language.” We do that with all kinds of term, roles, titles, professions, hobbies, etc.

Why does it make you cringe?

[LandR]

I think cringe fits here.

If I met a developer who said they were a gopher or rustacean or whatever. I'd feel physically embarrased for them.

[sethammons]

"physically embarrassed". I like it; great distillation of the concept.

[steveklabnik]

The word “cringe” has morphed into “that makes me cringe,” yes. It’s more a certain segment of internet culture than “young people,” though.