what is the origin of the word ‘incel’?

not what you may think!

The concept of "incel" began in the 1990s, coined by a Canadian woman known only by her first name, Alana. She created an online community called "Alana's Involuntary Celibacy Project" as a support group for people of all genders struggling with loneliness and romantic failure. The community was intended to be inclusive, empathetic, and supportive.

Over time, the term "involuntary celibate" shortened to "incel," but the original supportive intent of the community gradually faded as it evolved in different online spaces.