This study examines the diachronic trajectory of neologism maknae on top, which emerged from K-pop fandom discourse and has sustained vitality over two decades while expanding into broader social domains. Using Google Trends and big news data, this research analyzes emergence patterns and frequency changes from 2006 to 2024, supplemented by a qualitative analysis of media articles and fan community usage. Three distinct phases have emerged: creation (2006-2011), consolidation (2012-2018), and establishing (2019-2024). First, it traces how maknae on top evolved from a nonce formation to an institutionalized lexical item. Registration in the Naver Open Dictionary (2009) and Urimalsaem (2017) marks the transition from subcultural jargon to recognized public discourse. Second, maknae on top expanded beyond K-pop to include popular culture, sports, and everyday social networks. Big data analysis confirms widespread acceptance as a functional noun denoting "the youngest member who assumes a leading role." Third, it operates as a linguistic mechanism reflecting contemporary shifts in hierarchical perception, reinterpreting the traditional vertical order into flexible, merit-based relationships. This research demonstrates how a neologism born in a specific cultural context becomes embedded in the general lexicon through interactions with social change, offering insights into the dynamics between linguistic and sociocultural transformations.

Abstract
1. 서론
    1.1. 문제 제기와 연구 목적
    1.2. 연구 대상과 연구 방법
2. 이론적 배경
    2.1. 친족어 ‘막내’의 개념과 의미
    2.2. ‘막내’의 의미 확장과 글로벌 확산
3. ‘막내온탑’의 정착 과정
    3.1. 신어 정착 단계의 설정과 출현 빈도 분석
    3.2. 생성 단계(2006~2011)
    3.3. 강화 단계(2012~2018)
    3.4. 정착 단계(2019~2024)
4. ‘막내온탑’ 사용 영역 확대와 사회적 확산 양상
    4.1. K-pop 담론에서 일반 사회로의 확산
    4.2. ‘막내온탑’의 확장 양상
5. 결론
참고문헌

• 임자원(Ph.D. candidate, Department of Korean Language and Literature, University of Seoul) | Zaone Lim