It’s impossible to overlook the global influence of Taylor Swift.
From revolutionizing the touring industry to reshaping the music streaming landscape, Swift’s impact is undeniable.
However, what about the language she uses?
On Monday, Time named the singer-songwriter its Person of the Year for 2023.
In the cover story, Swift opens up about her connection with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
As she recounts how it all began, Swift employs a term that left some scratching their heads.
“This all started when Travis very adorably put me on blast on his podcast, which I thought was metal as hell,” Swift revealed in her Time interview.
So, what exactly does Swift mean? Let’s break it down.
What does ‘metal as hell’ mean?
Describing someone or something as “metal” is not a novel concept.
In slang, “metal” is often used to characterize something as cool, awesome, or hardcore.
This usage is rooted in the metal rock music genre, known for its bold and distinctive styles.
In a July episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce, questioned by his co-host and brother Jason (center for the Philadelphia Eagles), discussed attending Swift’s Eras Tour.
“I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings.
So I was a little butthurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her …
I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it,” Travis Kelce shared.
In Swift’s context, adding “as hell” as a qualifier amplifies the level of coolness attributed to Kelce’s actions.
Kelce playfully lamenting on his podcast about not getting to meet Swift was a bold or “metal” move, and it certainly caught her attention.