School has been in session for almost an entire month already. Have your kids or the teachers in your life added any new words to their vocabulary?
Internet slang is already confusing enough; now, it seems like there are enough new words and phrases to create another language, spoken solely between Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, some of these phrases have gained immense popularity and rapidly spread among the masses. Some of them positive, some of them negative and others that honestly don’t make much sense at all.
Wondering if it’s time to check into a nursing home? Don’t give up yet. Here’s a guide to some of the trending slang words and phrases to help you better understand the youth of today.
How old is Gen Z right now? Gen Alpha?
Those who are part of Generation Z were born from 1995 to 2009, making the youngest members still in high school at 16 years old.
As for Gen Alpha, it comprises the years 2010 through 2024, making the oldest members 15 years old.
Kids say the darndest things. See Gen Z, Gen Alpha slang glossary:
6-7 – This phrase doesn’t have a definitive meaning. It’s more about the way it’s said, in reference to the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla. In the song, which has an adlib throughout the song in which Skrilla says “6-7,” in his signature tone.
Using this phrase in a sentence would not help your understanding of the word, since it doesn’t have a concrete meaning and the virality of it surrounds the way the numbers are said.
Ate/eats – Used to describe someone doing a great job or something that is deserving of praise.
Use it in a sentence: “Did you hear Chappell Roan’s album ‘HOT TO GO’? It totally ate.”
Aura – Used in the same way older generations might have used the phrases “cool factor” or “star quality.” The slang meaning of “aura” is close to the actual definition, but in today’s slang, it has an added layer of positivity to it when used alone — whereas the dictionary definition of aura has a neutral connotation. If you want to say someone’s “cool factor” went up or down, you can say they gained or lost “aura points.”
Use it in a sentence: “Did you see Jessica trip in front of her crush in the hallway this morning? She lost so many aura points, I feel so bad for her.”
“He doesn’t even try to be cool. He just has a natural aura.”
Chat – “Chat” is like saying “guys” or “y’all.” It stems from streamers addressing their online audiences in the chat section of livestreams. It has now transferred to real life as an informal way to address a group of friends or acquaintances.
Use it in a sentence: “Chat, did our history teacher really just give us homework on Labor Day weekend?”
Chopped – “Chopped” is another way of saying someone is ugly or unattractive. It’s used negatively and is usually used in a bullying context.
Use it in a sentence: “That poor girl ran out of the classroom crying because someone said her new eyelash extensions made her look chopped.”
Chronically Online – A term used to describe individuals who are deeply involved with internet culture, spending a significant amount of time online, for better or for worse.
Use it in a sentence: “I don’t know what 6-7 means because I’m not chronically online.”
Clanker: A derogatory term for robots and artificial intelligence.
Use it in a sentence: “I hate when I’m trying to get in touch with customer service and instead of a person running the chat, it’s a clanker.”
Clock it – To “clock” something means to notice or observe a truth or motive that isn’t obvious to most. “Clock it” can also be used as an acknowledgement, similarly to “I agree” or “You hit the nail on the head.”
Use it in a sentence: “She thought she got away with cheating on the test, but little did she know, I clocked it.”
Cracked – Used to describe something or someone that is unstable, chaotic, foolish, irrational or wild.
Use it in a sentence: “That party was so cracked that the police showed up an hour in.” or “Did you see her pick that random vape off the ground and hit it? That was cracked behavior.”
Crashout – A sudden, overwhelming, emotional, impulsive outburst, breakdown or loss of control, most often due to stress or exhaustion.
Use it in a sentence: “Miranda studied for five hours for this final. If she doesn’t get an A, I think she’ll crashout.”
Delulu – Short for “delusional.”
Use it in a sentence: “Did you really think you’d pass that final test without studying? You’re delulu.”
Gagged/gag – To be amazed, stunned, surprised, impressed or left speechless.
Use it in a sentence: “I was so gagged when Ashley said Brad cheated on her. They’ve been together since middle school!”
Italian brainrot – Refers to a series of nonsensical videos with AI-generated images and audios that say random phrases in Italian gibberish.
Use it in a sentence: “She’s been on Italian brainrot TikTok too much, I heard her saying she wanted a ‘ballerina cappuccina’ this morning at the coffee shop.”
Looksmaxxing – An online movement dedicated to maximizing your physical appearance, often through a variety of techniques including improving your jawline, skincare and muscles, according to The BBC.
Use it in a sentence: “I spent all summer looking at Looksmaxxing videos, so I could have my glow up before school starts.”
Millennial Pause – Refers to the brief pause before speaking at the start of TikTok or Instagram Reels videos, often observed by millennials.
Use it in a sentence: “My older sister keeps doing the ‘Millennial Pause’ as soon as we get on FaceTime, and it’s bothering me.”
Mewing – A form of Looksmaxxing, the BBC explains it is improving your jawline by holding your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Mewing comes from a controversial British orthodontist named John Mew; however, there is little evidence to show it works.
Use it in a sentence: “I can’t tell if he is deep in thought right now or just mewing.”
Onika Burgers – The ultimate “stan culture” meme. Refers to an infamous reply on a 2023 Popbase tweet about Kim Kardashian’s daughter, North West, drawing of her grandmother, Kris Jenner. A user replied, “Why she ate,” to which another account responded with “She = Onika Ate = Burgers.”
KnowYourMeme states that the reply took an opportunity to criticize rapper Nicki Minaj by claiming that she eats burgers, using her real name, Onika. The nonsensical phrase launched several memes and jokes.
Use it in a sentence: “Oh, you think Cardi B’s new single ate? Onika burgers.”
Period – Means “end of story” or “no further discussion,” similar to a “mic drop.” Can also be used as a term of encouragement or approval.
Use it in a sentence: “I don’t have to work on Friday since I worked overtime last week.” To which one might reply: “Okay, period!”
Rizz – A shortening of the word “charisma,” used to state that someone has success in attracting romantic partners, according to Merriam-Webster. “Rizzler” refers to someone who is successful at flirting.
Use it in a sentence: “He has so much rizz, he has gotten five girls’ numbers since we have been here.”
Slay – It means to do something particularly well, according to Dictionary.com. Similar to ate/eats.
Use it in a sentence: “Sabrina Carpenter’s new album totally slays.”
Stand on business – To behave or act in a way that aligns with your previously expressed values or intentions.
Use it in a sentence: “Jessica was talking badly about Miranda behind her back, but when Miranda confronted her about it, she didn’t stand on business.”
‘Start digging in your butt, twin’ – Similarly to “6-7,” this is a nonsensical phrase that doesn’t hold any real meaning and is more of a random inside joke between people who are “chronically online.” You kids are not actually instructing each other to literally “dig in their butt.”
Twin/Twizzy – Used in reference to a very close friend or even a romantic connection.
Use it in a sentence: “Miranda and I have been friends since elementary school, that’s twin.”
Washed – To be past your prime, no longer successful, popular or skilled.
Use it in a sentence: “My aunt used to be a tennis star, but she’s so washed now, she can’t even hit a good serve.”
Yapping – The New York Times shares it means to talk a lot, often about subjects of little importance.
Use it in a sentence: “The girls and I were yapping about the latest drama during lunch.”
What is Generation Beta? See the next generation
We still have a few more years before the next generation’s slang takes over.
Generation Beta is the next generation, said to be defined by artificial intelligence and constant connectivity. It follows Generation Alpha, in line with the Greek alphabet.
Members of Gen Beta will be born between 2025 and 2039, according to McCrindle.
Members will be the children of younger millennials and older Gen Zers and by 2035, they are estimated to make up at least 16% of the global population, according to McCrindle, an Australian social researcher led by generational analyst Mark McCrindle.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Rizz, 6-7, aura, twin, chopped, gagged, washed: A guide to Gen Z, Gen A’s ‘brain rot’ slang
Reporting by Lianna Norman and Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
