mengstap

Mengstap is a term used in online Indonesian discourse to describe a specific communicative tactic in which a participant restates a point in a brief, direct manner to reinforce an earlier claim. In the absence of formal recognition, it is described here as a pattern observed in informal digital conversation, with usage varying by community and platform.

Origin and form: The word combines the Indonesian verbal prefix meng- with the root stap, which appears to be a loanword from Dutch stap, meaning 'step' or 'move'. In this sense, mengstap is taken to imply making a deliberate step in a discussion—entering a debate with a concise assertion that restates a position. It is primarily found in online slang and is not common in formal Indonesian dictionaries.

Usage and reception: Mengstap tends to appear in comment threads, forums, and social media discussions where brevity is valued and participants aim to assert control quickly. It can help crystallize an argument, but overuse may be seen as abrupt or dismissive. Societal reception varies by audience, with some readers valuing decisiveness and others criticizing it as overbearing. See also Indonesian language, borrowing and calques, Indonesian internet slang.