Have you ever wondered if your Gen Z colleague speaks another language or is talking in code? If you’re baffled by Gen Z phrases, you’re not alone.
Generation Z, those born between the late nineties and early twenties, have a unique lingo, with slang words that may sound gibberish to those born in different times but make total sense to those in the know.
If you hear someone talking about goats, stan, simp, cheugy, or sheesh, you don’t need to hire a translator because these words will soon make sense.
We’ve picked 20 of the strangest Gen Z phrases so you can soon easily converse with others in Gen Z speak.
1. Goat
If you hear someone excitedly talking about G.O.A.T in the coffee shop queue, there’s no need to wonder if they’re talking about their furry friend with horns. Goat is an acronym for “The Greatest of All Time.” It’s a Gen Z term for describing someone considered incredible.
2. Sheesh
The Gen Z term “Sheesh” has become popular on social media platforms like TikTok. It means someone is impressed or expressing disbelief about something or someone. For instance, a Gen Z might say, “Sheesh! I can’t believe she did that!”
3. Snack
Fancy a tasty snack? Gen Z isn’t talking about a yummy treat. No, they’re referring to a person they find attractive.
4. Stan
You’d better hope nobody calls you a “Stan” because the term is a combo of “Stan” and “Stalker” and refers to someone who has an obsession with a person without being overtly creepy.
5. Cheugy
If your Gen Z friend says your new top is cheugy, they’re suggesting it’s not trendy. It’s a slang term for describing someone or something outdated, lacking originality or style, or making too much effort to be trendy.
6. Smol
You see that cute kitten on a Pinterest pin, and your Gen Z friend says it’s “smol.” It’s not that she had a weird accent, but “smol’ is a Gen Z slang word for something tiny and adorable.
7. Guap
If someone has a lot of “guap”, they have a boatload of money or are about to earn a lot, which means a lot.
8. Ghosting
When your Gen Z friend says someone is ghosting them, it’s slang for ignoring someone by not responding to texts or emails, and in recruitment, hiring managers often “ghost” candidates.
9. Simp
Simp is slang for someone who does too much for a person they have a crush on or showers them with attention or sympathy. Typically, the subject of the attention does not reciprocate the feelings.
10. Big Yikes
If you do something cringe-worthy or embarrassing, your Gen Z friend may say, “Big yikes”. It’s when a simple “yikes” won’t suffice to match the moment.
11. IYKYK
“IYKYK” is a simple acronym for “if you know, you know.” It would typically be a term for an inside joke, as outsiders might not know what “IYKYK” refers to.
12. Slaps
If something is exceptionally good, a Gen Z might say it “Slaps”. It can refer to anything like music, a person, a meal, or anything with the potential to be above and beyond the norm.
13. Take Several Seats
No, you don’t need to grab the chairs. The Gen Z phrase “Take several seats” means someone is getting on your nerves, and you want them to stop annoying you.
14. TFW
TFW describes “that feeling when” something notable happens to cause an emotion. For example, you get TFW when your dog snuggles up to you or get TFW when you get an unexpected day off work.
15. Living Rent-Free
Living rent-free does not refer to living with your mum in your thirties. The term means a thought is “living rent-free” in your head because you cannot stop thinking about it.
16. Drag
Drag for Gen Z is not about men dressing in women’s clothing. Drag is like making fun of a person, giving them a roasting, or criticizing them.
17. Sending Me
If a Gen Z says, “You’re sending me”, they’ll laugh heartily at something you said or did that amused them. You said something funny that “sent” them into laughter.
18. Bussin’
“Bussin'” is an African-American word that’s become popular in Gen Z’s unique language, and it describes good food that tastes delicious.
19. Snatched
If someone says you look “snatched, ” they’ve complimented you about your appearance or outfit. It means you look really good.
20. CEO
When you master something, you become the CEO of it. For instance, you could be the CEO of creating video content, mastering social media, or succeeding at work.
45 SURPRISING WAYS TO MAKE AN EXTRA $500 A MONTH
Who couldn’t use an extra $500 a month? Here are 45 legitimate and realistic ideas you may not have thought of to add some extra cash to your wallet.
45 SURPRISING WAYS TO MAKE AN EXTRA $500 EVERY MONTH
10 U.S. CITIES THAT ARE SHRINKING AT AN ALARMING RATE
While some downtowns are undergoing a rebirth, other cities are rapidly dying out. Here are 10 cities that are fighting for their survival.
DYING CITIES: 10 U.S. CITIES THAT ARE SHRINKING AT AN ALARMING RATE
12 THINGS NOT TO SAY WHEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE
We all get stopped by the police from time to time. Whether you think you’re in the right or in the wrong, here are some things you should never, ever say to a police officer when you’re pulled over (unless you don’t mind getting into even more trouble).
12 THINGS NOT TO SAY WHEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE
