Are you constantly confused by what young people are saying? A lot of us are, and it turns out, that’s kind of the point. The slang used by Gen Z and Gen Alpha is influenced by social media and Internet subculture and it changes all the time, faster than those of us who are merely young-at-heart can keep up. While the words they say may be new, using phrases and terms to mystify elders definitely isn’t.
“Older people have been rolling their eyes at the things younger people do and say for thousands of years," says Jesse Sheidlower, a lexicographer, educator, editor and author. “The whole point is that it’s not meant for you.”
To help the rest of us understand what today’s kids and teens mean, a new study reveals the most popular slang today. Unscrambler.com analyzed Google Trends data to find slang terms searched for most this year. These top the list:
- “6-7” - With more than 141-thousand Google searches, it’s number one, but it has no literal meaning. The “brain rot” humor was popularized by a Skrilla song and “6-7” is often paired with exaggerated hand gestures.
- “Bop” - It means someone who has a lot of romantic partners, as in someone who “bops around from person to person.” But the study notes that it’s not meant as a compliment and is used in cyberbullying.
- “Mogging” - This one is a good thing, though, as it means outdoing someone by being more attractive, skilled or successful.
- “Looksmaxxing” - Similar to “mogging,” it refers to things people do to enhance their physical appearance, including everything from skincare to plastic surgery.
- “Huzz” - Another term for an attractive girl or someone you want to impress.
- “Chopped” - It’s kind of the opposite of “huzz,” meaning something ugly, undesirable or unattractive.
- “Big back” - This refers to someone who’s physically large, or someone who eats a lot of food.
- “Glazing” - It means heaping excessive and/or insincere praise on someone.
- “Zesty” - Someone who’s lively, exciting or energetic.
- “Fanum tax” - This comes from a streamer popular on Twitch and Instagram and it means playfully stealing food from your friend’s plate.
Source: USA Today and Unscramblerer.com