Does the Power of a Group of Language Users Change Language Directly?

During break there wasn't anything that really lead me to answering this question, but I feel like this question could be a question used everyday. I think that the power of a group of language users does change language directly. Earlier in the school year, before I left for Thanksgiving break, one of my friends was able to get me to start saying the word "yikes" and when I returned home with the family I would use the would constantly, not on purpose but because it was a word I was addicted to saying. That person directly changed my language. Half way through Thanksgiving break my youngest sister started using it because I was using it so much and it directly changed her use of language. Bronte was strictly against using the word "yikes" thinking it was an annoying, overused word and she said she would never use it. By the end of break with both my youngest sister and I saying the word constantly Bronte started to say it a little bit here and there. I would call her out on it and say "Well that was an important time to use the word." Eventually Bronte started to say it regularly. Now that might not be a large group of language users, but it was a small example of how the power of even one or two people can effect a person and how they directly change the language they use in their everyday lives. So does a group of language users change language directly? I would say yes.