草根
释义 DEFINITION
基本释义：
- 植物学概念：指草的根部，具有顽强生命力和广泛分布特性
- 社会学引申：比喻社会底层普通民众，特指没有官方背景、资源匮乏的群体
- 互联网语境：现多指民间自发的、非主流的文化现象或经济实体
当前网络环境中，第二和第三释义使用频率最高，常与'精英阶层'形成对比，带有'顽强生长'的积极意象。
词源故事 ETYMOLOGY
这个词的流行始于2005年前后，随着博客时代兴起。当时《南方周末》发表《草根的中国狂欢》，将这个概念从学术术语推向大众视野。其走红深层反映着社会结构变迁——市场经济催生大量非体制内成功者，他们需要新的身份标签。
典型案例是'西单女孩'现象。2009年，在地铁通道卖唱的女孩任月丽被网友拍摄上传，这种'非科班出身→网络走红→商业成功'的路径，被媒体称为'草根逆袭'。此后该词完成从'弱势群体'到'潜力阶层'的语义升级。
近年词义进一步扩展：'草根明星'（如大衣哥朱之文）、'草根创业'（拼多多早期宣传）、'草根调研'（与官方统计对举）。值得注意的是，当官方话语开始使用'草根'时（如'草根宣讲团'），部分网民转向使用'野生'等新词保持区隔。
例句：'别看这家公司现在估值百亿，当初就是几个草根程序员在车库里捣鼓出来的'
DEFINITION
Core Meanings:
- Botanical term: The root system of grass, symbolizing tenacity and ubiquity
- Sociological concept: Refers to ordinary people at the social base, particularly those without institutional support
- Internet culture: Denotes organic, non-mainstream movements or entities emerging from public participation
In Chinese cyber culture, it's often used like 'DIY culture' meets 'underdog story' in Western contexts. Unlike the political connotation of 'grassroots' in English, it emphasizes cultural authenticity and anti-establishment spirit.
ETYMOLOGY
The term gained traction around 2005 with China's blogging boom. When Southern Weekly published The Grassroots Carnival of China, it transformed this academic term into a cultural symbol. Its popularity mirrors social changes - market economy created numerous success stories outside traditional systems, demanding new social identifiers.
A landmark case was 'Xidan Girl' phenomenon. In 2009, street singer Ren Yueli's subway performance went viral, embodying the 'grassroots counterattack' narrative: non-professional → internet fame → commercial success. This shifted the term's connotation from 'disadvantaged group' to 'potential class'.
Recent evolution includes 'caogen celebrities' (like overcoat-clad singer Zhu Zhiwen), 'caogen startups' (Pinduoduo's early branding), and 'caogen research' (contrasting official statistics). Interestingly, when authorities co-opted the term (e.g., 'grassroots propaganda teams'), netizens began adopting new terms like 'wild-grown' to maintain countercultural authenticity.
Example: 'Don't be fooled by its billion-dollar valuation now, this company started with some grassroots programmers tinkering in a garage.'