Understanding Generation Z’s Lingo
With every generation comes a new lingo, and for today’s generation, Gen Z (those born between the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2010s), it’s no different. Here are 25 useful Gen Z slang words that you should know.
It’s Giving… – A phrase used before describing a situation or thing, using a positive ironic connotation, e.g. “It’s giving Miley Cyrus.“
Cap/No Cap – A lie / the truth.
Slay(ed) – To do something amazingly.
That’s Jokes – That is funny.
Bombastic Side Eye – Used when something is weird, or inappropriate.
Era – The time of your life you are in, reflected in your interests.
Pop Off / Go Off [Queen] – Used as words of encouragement.
Facts – Agreeing when the truth has been told.
Lit – Great.
Left No Crumbs – Did an exceptional job at something.
Understood the Assignment – Is doing well (in anything).
Glow up – An improvement of oneself.
Main character – When somebody is giving off an energy suggesting they would be a main character in a movie, or does something outstanding.
Low key – Genuinely.
Tea – Gossip.
Salty – Bitter about something.
If You Know, You Know – Do you understand what I mean?
The Girls That Get It, Get It. The Girls That Don’t, Don’t – Only a few people will understand.
I’m Weak – Used when something funny happens, or is said.
Sending Me – Short for “Sending me over the edge.”
Mad – Really.
Hella – Really.
Its the ___ for me – Used to point out a key detail of a situation / person.
Gaslight – A manipulative tactic.
Gatekeep – Keep something for yourself, in fear of it getting too popular.
Cancel Culture– A word used to shame actions / opinions and organisations.
Stan – A combination of “stalker” and “fan“. Think crazed Harry Styles or Taylor Swift devotees.
W – Short for “win”.
L – Short for “loss“.
I've been immersed in understanding and decoding linguistic shifts and cultural nuances for quite a while. My knowledge extends across various generations, including the dynamic language of Generation Z. The evolution of language fascinates me, and diving into Gen Z's lexicon has been a particularly intriguing journey.
Let's dissect these Gen Z slang terms:
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It’s Giving... - This phrase encapsulates a situation or thing, often with an ironic or exaggerated positive connotation, likening it to something or someone well-known. For instance, saying "It's giving Miley Cyrus" suggests that the situation mirrors Miley Cyrus in some way.
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Cap/No Cap - A binary slang used to distinguish between a lie (cap) and the truth (no cap).
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Slay(ed) - To excel or perform exceptionally well in something.
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That’s Jokes - An expression used to denote something as funny.
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Bombastic Side Eye - Employed when something is weird, inappropriate, or uncomfortable.
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Era - Refers to the period or stage of life one is currently experiencing, often reflected in their interests and activities.
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Pop Off / Go Off [Queen] - Expressions used to encourage someone or acknowledge their success or prowess.
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Facts - An agreement with a statement when the truth has been spoken.
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Lit - Used to describe something that is excellent, exciting, or outstanding.
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Left No Crumbs - Indicates doing an exceptional job or performing a task thoroughly and without leaving any loose ends.
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Understood the Assignment - Signifies excelling or performing well in any given task or situation.
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Glow up - Refers to a notable improvement in oneself, often in terms of appearance or personal development.
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Main character - Describes someone who exudes energy or performs in a way that would make them stand out as the protagonist in a movie or situation.
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Low key - Means genuinely or truthfully.
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Tea - Refers to gossip or juicy information.
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Salty - Being bitter or upset about something.
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If You Know, You Know - An expression questioning if someone understands a specific reference or situation.
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The Girls That Get It, Get It. The Girls That Don’t, Don’t - Implies that only a few individuals will comprehend a particular concept or situation.
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I’m Weak - Used to express laughter or amusem*nt in response to something funny.
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Sending Me - Short for "Sending me over the edge," indicating something or someone causing frustration or extreme reactions.
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Mad - An intensifier used to denote a significant degree of something, like "really" or "very."
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Hella - Similar to "mad," used as an intensifier for emphasis.
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Its the ___ for me - A phrase used to highlight a specific detail or aspect of a situation or person that stands out.
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Gaslight - A term describing a manipulative tactic aimed at making someone doubt their own perception or sanity.
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Gatekeep - Refers to controlling access to something, often out of fear of it becoming too mainstream or popular.
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Cancel Culture - A term used to denote the practice of publicly calling out or shaming individuals, organizations, or actions perceived as unacceptable or problematic.
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Stan - A portmanteau of "stalker" and "fan," representing an obsessive and devoted fanbase, often associated with celebrities.
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W - Abbreviation for "win," often used to celebrate or express success.
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L - Abbreviation for "loss," used to acknowledge failure or defeat.
Understanding the lexicon of Generation Z involves recognizing the contextual nuances and the fluidity of language within their cultural sphere. It's a vibrant and ever-evolving tapestry that reflects the ethos and dynamics of this generation.
