The linguistic landscape is changing fast, and for some Gen-X parents like me, it can be unnerving to attempt to understand their children’s conversations.
Although the tide is not reversing, so we must either ride the wave or bail: get with the lingo or get off. Using new terminology is nothing new; it was almost the law in our ‘80s and '90s heyday. We irritated our elders with slang such as “Take a chill pill” or “Talk to the hand.”
We were too cool for school — or just cool enough to wind our boomer parents up. However, the Internet age has taken things to a new level by redefining words and using slang in ways we can’t always process.
1. LOL
When did the world start “lolling?” Last time I checked, “to loll” meant showing one’s inability to balance. TheUrban Dictionarystates the original definition as “laughing out loud” or “lots of laughs,” which both seem at odds with laughter's spontaneous nature.
In Season Eight ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David is labeled a “social assassin” after calling out a friend, who, instead of laughing naturally, spells out “L-O-L.” While I am on Larry’s team here, typing it out in a message is more forgivable than saying it. “Lol” can stay.
2. Woke
Woke is a term permeating much of Western society’s discourse. Anyone with a heart can support the principles behind the word “woke.” Being aware of societal failures, fighting discrimination, and speaking out against social injustice should be a default setting.
However, the word's connotations are now negative. It is used to describe someone who uses politically correct language and claims the moral high ground over others in all their beliefs—even when they often contradict them. The term “awake” might be best used to describe the inverse of this scenario.
3. Adulting
When nouns become continuous verbs, they sound silly—listen to someone talking about “summering” in Europe, for example. Sometimes, language purists must step in and promote reason. Do we need the word “adulting?”
Ironically, the phrase adulting replaces (being grown up) contradicts how those who use it appear to live their lives. In my spare time, I go cycling, snowboarding, and adulting — is the opposite word “childing?”
4. Bae
Let's be honest: who thought “bae” was a new take on “boo,” meaning someone's significant other? However, on closer inspection, “bae” is an acronym for “before anyone else.”
Many of us will instantly think ofSalt Bae, the meat-abusing influencer famed for sprinkling salt down his arm. Does this man think he was the first person to drop salt on beef? He was certainly the first to do it in his signature style, though his nickname is confusing.
5. Fatphobic
This is a controversial entry, but the word is a recent addition to the English language. John Hopkins Medicine defines the word “phobia” to meanan irrational fearof something so overwhelming it may cause panic attacks.
There is a difference between fat-shaming someone and genuinely caring for their health, but it matters little which category someone falls into; they end up attracting this label. How about we just try to be nice to everyone? That will reduce the need for this word.
6. Okay, Boomer
The baby boomer generation was born between 1946 and 1964, so why younger people call anyone north of 30 a boomer is anyone’s guess. Younger people's associations with the word range from older people who “messed up their planet” to anyone older who disagrees with them, which is a brazen misuse of the term.
Those who still use “Okay, boomer” to dismiss their seniors must remember the post-World War Two economy and the generation that brought America and its allies living standards unheard of before, albeit amid other more questionable actions.
7. On Fleek
Even after reading its Merriam-Webster interpretation, I still have no idea what this means: “You know that guy who plays the drums with one hand? He is so on fleek.”
To the novice, it might sound like the term references a form of pharmaceutical habit. “Everyone seems to be on fleek these days, especially kids with concentration problems.”
However, they would be wrong; to be “on fleek” means simply being or looking awesome.
8. Clapback
Okay, this one is weird. At first glance, one might associate the phrase “clapback” with sarcastic applause, but they would be wrong — this is Gen-Z, remember? It means a miraculous comeback against all odds.
For example, “Which clapback is best—Tiger Woods winning the 2019 Masters or Michael Jordan returning for another three-peat?” For the love of all things good, let's just call it a comeback.
9. Rizz
This term is an abbreviation of “charisma” and refers to someone trying to impress a mate with their courting skills. “Rizz” is less about being attractive and more about using one's charm to win affection.
This reality is a shame; some of us word nerds love saying the original word, “charisma,” because some words just roll nicely. We really must do more to promote nice-rolling words.
10. It Slaps
How many adjectives or verb phrases do we have in our vocabularies for when something is good or perceptibly cool? Can you imagineEmily Dickinsonreducing her description of hope this way?
“Hope is the thing with the feathers that perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words that never stops at all,” Dickinson writes in “Hope is the thing with feathers.” Today's interpretation might be, “Hope slaps, y'all.”
11. I'm Dead
This one is on the fence, as it closely resembles the superior predecessor, “I'm dying.” While the terminally ill might find either expression offensive, they are harmless enough. However, the qualm comes with the uniformity of the singular expression, as opposed to the more colorful varieties on offer.
Sadly, once a term becomes popularized, social media's compliant nature means the majority of teens adopt it. A parent hearing the unnerving expression, “I'm dead,” when kids find something funny will be confusing for the unaware—though this applies to many present-day youth expressions.
12. Finna
The next phrase is an apostrophe-free contraction of “fixing to.” For those still shaking their heads, “fixing to” means “about to.” You might be about to go for a pleasant drive through your local metropolis, flaunting your well-earned affluence to those around you.
You could also be “finna hit the city, vibin' in your whip, flexing your luxe life.” This is my attempt at trying to blend in—I would make a terrible Gen-Zer.
13. Respek
This word leaves nothing to the imagination, sounding like the lazy cousin of the original word “respect.” Here is a good analogy for how some of us feel about these word types: if “respect” is a Northeastern scholar, the word “respek” spends its days chasing varmints off its land.
It is the verbal equivalent of saying “hap-nis” instead of “happiness.” We must conclude that rebellious under-spelling is part of the allure — these kids know how to hit their parents where it hurts.
14. Basic
If a peer attracts the tag “basic,” they may need to reconsider their efforts. Young thinkers today might attach this pejorative label in several ways: someone who merely follows conventions and doesn't try to stand out.
“They're so basic” might be a term to look out for when youths describe a peer, especially if you are a teacher who needs to keep your students onside. However, agreeing with them may be a bad move unless they are talking about a fellow teacher you don’t like.
15. Slay
When most Gen-Xers think of the word “slay,” it elicits images of knights slaying dragons or perhaps their favorite '90s thrash metal band, Slayer. However, the current use of the term means to succeed at something, or used in its most exaggerated form, just to complete a task.
“Mom, I slayed my homework tonight!” said Emma, who became somewhat overexcited whenever she completed tasks expected of her. I think “slay” can stay — using it correctly is all we need to see.
16. Extra
The word “extra” describes eccentric behavior (though how young people define “eccentric” is another matter). “That kid is so extra” might be a sentence you occasionally hear. This word might annoy Gen-Xers for its lazy, if somewhat misguided, word connection.
Let's look at the inverse scenario to prove the lack of foresight. If someone is reserved, unexceptional, or conformist, are they “lacking?” If anything, the connection to “extra” is also not considered the first choice — like Prince Harry.
17. Thirsty
TheUrban Dictionaryexplains the difference between being “thirsty” and being “aroused.” The latter is reserved for those with options; the former involves those without, who are in a state of hormonal desperation.
One can only imagine Gen-Xer Leonardo DiCaprio's confusion if one of his girlfriends loses her temper after telling Leo she is thirsty — only for him to grab her some Evian. Poor Leo; at some point, he may not be able to communicate with his partners at all.
18. GOAT
Most middle-aged humans can agree that the “greatest of all time” (GOAT) moniker is getting rather old. Like its contemporary, “genius,” the word is overused like a hyper-inflated currency with little value.
We can agree that not every accomplished artist or engineer is a genius and not every sporting hero is “the goat,” though with exceptions: we're looking at you, Tom, Serena, and Michael.
19. Low Key
Some middling-age parents may hear their kids refer to Thor's arch nemesis and brother, Loki when discussing their passions. The Norse god superhero is not in the equation, but this term is still baffling.
“I lowkey want to see Taylor Swift” translates as “I really want to see Taylor Swift.” Come on, now—I cannot let my brain transpose to this definition. Every time I hear this, I think someone is quietly excited about something, though they don’t wish to appear boastful.
20. Snatched
When someone realizes their low-key dreams (see the irony yet?) and gets that Swiftie concert ticket they had been trying for; they might say Taylor “snatched” them.
Snatched may sound like a word that puts censors into a cold sweat; youth culture dictates that it means being perfect in one's performance. Let’s be fair to Taylor Swift; she has almost snatched the entire world with her talents.
21. Gucci
Many branded products have become the default label for certain products: co*ke, Kleenex, and Band-Aid are examples. Sadly, some people take this to new levels, anointing an entire industry with one label name. In youngsters' case, the go-to expression for anything stylish is now “Gucci.” Yeah, those flats and tube socks look hella' Gucci, bruh.
What would the Gucci family think of this? Would they be proud or upset that their brand was being used in such a cavalier manner?
22. Literally
Why is everything becoming so supposedly literal these days? “I was literally going to say the same thing; that is literally the best thing I ever tasted.” The phrase “I’m literally” is juxtaposed with an increasingly virtual existence, though used a lot. “I am literally playing VR right now — call me later.”
Unless you are playingParks and Recreation‘s excellent Chris Traeger, whose best lines invariably include, “That isliterallythe best thing ever,” let’s drop the “I’m literally” preface. Why not just state what you are doing?
23. Swol
The closest word one can associate with the mystifying “swol” might be the military acronym AWOL (absent without leave).
Before we think for too long, this word refers to a buff or physically endowed athlete. Someone might say, “Jake Gyllenhaal inRoadhouseis looking hella swol.” So, maybe it stems from the word, “swollen” — as in, swollen muscles.
24. It's Me
People who wake up early to exercise? “It's me!” Those who eat Twix Bars’ chocolate and shortbread first, caramel last? “It's me!” Avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk slabs? “It’s me.”
If this is still a mystifying phrase, you are in good company. However, if you understand this phrase, you will realize that every time you hear a teenager say it, they say, “I do that, too.” They are not confessing to a crime, just their affinity for certain behavior.
25. Stan
Ah, the brilliance of portmanteau — the process by which we merge two or more words to make a hybrid. Other favorites include spork (spoon merged with fork), shoffice (shed-office), and krunk (crazy drunk).
In this case, “Stan” is a combination of “stalker” and “fan” but also an allusion to the famous song about a stalker obsessed with Eminem, who eventually murders his wife because he didn't get a reply to fan mail. Okay, this word is quite clever — touché, Gen-Z; touché.
26. Shipping
Before we proceed, know that the word “shipping” has nothing to do with maritime commerce or naval design. This word is almost infuriating to an English language scholar — it draws from the same concept as “rizz,” taking inspiration from the modern continuous verb, “relationshipping.”
“Are any of you guys shipping?” just sounds wrong on all levels. Furthermore, if one mishears the word, they might raise their eyebrows at a highly intrusive question. No, I haven’t been shipping, thank you very much.
