The popularity of the term "牛马" accurately captures the complex mindset of contemporary young people, especially the "working class" who are new to the workforce, under high-pressure environments. Its specific manifestations and underlying social psychology mainly include:

‌Self-deprecation and catharsis‌: Young people refer to themselves as "牛马" to deconstruct the fatigue and sense of worthlessness caused by high-intensity, repetitive work through dark humor, such as "working overtime until midnight every day, pure 牛马." This serves both as a release of real-world stress and as a symbol of group identity.

‌‌‌Criticism and metaphor‌: The term implicitly criticizes the workplace tendency to view employees as "tools," likening workers to livestock being driven without receiving proper respect or compensation. It constructs cultural metaphors related to‌ work intensity, social status, and economic relations.