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If you have tweens or teens, you may sometimes feel like they’re speaking a different language. Honestly, they are. Slang terms change generationally — and, believe me, one year, a word can mean one thing and the next it can mean something completely different. One year, you’re in the know and the next, you’re a Karen! If that last sentence made no sense to you, my point is proven. You almost need a degree in linguistics just to know how to translate your kid’s slang.
There is little that’s more frustrating than sitting in the same room with your teen and having absolutely no idea what they are saying. It happens more often than you’d think. Parents shake their heads in agreement, when actually we have no idea what they’re talking about because the English language is, apparently, a moving target.
I’m here to help. It starts with understanding the concept, breaking the code, and knowing how to translate kid’s slang.
What is slang?
Slang is, by definition, a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are restricted to a particular context. Our teens take regular English words and give them entirely new meanings, just to talk in code so we have no idea what they’re saying right in front of our faces. So, sometimes it’s important to know the lingo in order to effectively communicate with — and understand — our kids.
“Language, including slang, is symbolic of what is occurring in society, and how youth are responding to their environment,” Dr. Raychelle Cassada Lohmann wrote for Psychology Today. “It’s fascinating to see what new words youth will invent and whether or not it will sweep the nation or, better yet, the world.”
Current popular teen slang
Almosts
Someone you almost dated but it never actually happened.
“Bella and Bohde win cutest almosts since they never actually got together.”
Basic
Only interested in mainstream, popular things.
“She’d never go to a Billie Eilish concert — she’s much too basic.”
Bounce
Leaving suddenly.
“This party is not lit — I’m going to bounce.”
Cancel
The rejection of a person, place, or thing.
“She’s texting people lies about me — time to cancel Emma.”
Dead
When someone is euphorically happy.
“Bella was dead when Will kissed her.”
Fam
Friends who are like family.
“My squad is my fam.”
Gassed
When someone believes their own hype.
“She’s so gassed up, she actually believes all the lies she’s telling everyone.”
High-key
Straight-up truth.
“I will high-key tell you if you look bad.”
Karen
Used to refer to an adult who is out of touch.
“My mom expects me to call her when I get to the party. She’s being such a Karen.”
Ratchet
Trashy.
“Kissing someone else’s boyfriend is so ratchet.”
Receipts
Using someone’s own words on social or text against them.
“Don’t text Maya anything. She keeps receipts on everyone."
Savage
Taking things too personally and overreacting.
“Calm down. You’re getting so savage over a text about your TikTok.”
Shook
Completely disarmed by gossip.
“Hearing that my boyfriend is coming to the party with Gabi has me shook.”
Slay
Killing it (read: doing great) at whatever you are doing.
“Lizzo can slay on stage.”
Snatched
Looking amazingly cute.
“Faith showed up in a new dress looking snatched.”
Snack-Cute
When someone looks good enough to eat.
“Will is snack-cute, even in basketball shorts.”
Straight Fire
When someone or something is hot.
“That new song by Halsey is straight fire.”
Sus
Suspicious. When someone is acting shady.
“I’m breaking up with him. Every time Lennon is around, he acts sus.”
TFW
“That feeling when …”
“TFW your crush smiles at you.”
Thirst trap
An overly sexual or flirty message posted on social media.
“Aviana is always setting those thirst traps on Snapchat.”
Thirsty
Needing of attention.
“Alanah is so thirsty. Just look at the way she dresses.”
Throwing shade
Being nasty to someone.
“Just because we don’t get along, that's no reason for her to be throwing shade at me.”
Wig snatched
Telling someone’s secrets and leaving them exposed.
“I guess Monica doesn’t know what a vault is because I’m out here, wig snatched, because she told Rachel all of my business.”
It’s important to know your kid’s language
As parents, it's very important to take the time to educate yourself about common teen slang terms so you can be in the know of the conversations your teen is having online and in person.
“I like to think I’m still relatively young but sometimes when my nieces are telling me a story, I secretly have to Google what they mean because I have no idea,” Melissa Tigu — mom of a tween and aunt to teens — admitted to Mom.com.
Take the time to learn your kid's words so you can join in — or at least understand — the conversation. Slang terms change all the time and the best way to know what your teen and their friends are saying is to keep your ear out for new words and search the internet for what you hear — or maybe even ask your kid.
