How did Verlan become part of French popular culture?

Verlan is a form of French slang that involves reversing and reshuffling the syllables and spellings of standard French words. While its roots can be traced back to the 19th century, it became a significant part of French popular culture through its revival by immigrant communities following World War II.1

In recent decades, Verlan has made notable inroads into mainstream society, largely influenced by the cultural contributions of North African immigrant communities. Beginning in the 1980s, the term beur—itself a Verlan derivation of the French word arabe—became a common label for second- and third-generation North Africans. This cultural shift was further propelled by the emergence of beur cinema, comics, and radio, which helped bring these linguistic expressions to a much wider audience. Today, Verlan serves as a vibrant example of how France’s increasingly multicultural society continues to shape and evolve the French language.1