This Christmas season you may be meeting some younger relatives and friends. To many, teenage jargon is incomprehensible, and will leave you thinking, “What does that mean?” “I’ve never even heard that word before,” or “Did he just insult me?”
Teenagers don’t often try to confuse other people with their slang but it’s common for them to say something they think you’ll understand, or they just start talking and they reach for words that are familiar to them.
And many in Generation Z find the appropriation of their slang by older folks to be annoying or irksome. It feels like these older people are trying to be cool, trying to appeal to them in a way that just bothers them.
Not all teens feel strongly about it but it does tick off the ones that do.
Here is a sampling of a few popular phrases and slang in 2024 so when you sit down and your nephew, cousin, or other relation is talking about how he “lowkey rizzed up” his sister’s “bestie,” you know what they’re talking about:
Based
When a person or thing is “based,” it usually means that they agree with that thing. Something that is “based” is more likely to be outside the norm. “Based” can also be more general, acting as the opposite of “cringe/cringy.” (See below)
“His taste in music is based, he only listens to lyrical rap.”
“He drives a polished red ’70s pickup, so based.”
Bestie
An alternative word for “best friend,” mostly used in a feminine context.
“Me and my bestie are taking a weekend trip.”
Bet
Means “for sure,” an affirmative—shortened from “You bet.”
“Want to watch the game on Wednesday at my house?” “Bet.”
Big
Used in conjunction with other words, like “big sad,” “big mad,” or “big brain.” “Big” means very or extremely. “Big brain” is a common usage that means very smart.
“Mom made artichoke for dinner, big sad.”
“Carl did a big brain move and checked Jack’s king.”
Bussin’
Saying something, especially food, is exceptionally good. Can be repeated to add to exceptionality.
“You have to try the lasagna, it’s bussin’!”
Cap
No, not a hat. Calling something “cap” is saying that it’s a lie. It can also be said as “capping,” to say someone is lying. “No cap” means it’s not a lie.
“Your talk about going out for just an hour was complete cap, you were gone for five!”
“He’s capping, that watch is fake!”
“No cap, I didn’t find him!”
Chill
Something or someone is laid back or relaxed, to “chill” can mean to hangout or relax.
“The cashier was a really chill dude.”
“We’ll be chilling over there until you get back.”
Cooked
To say someone “cooked” means they did well or the outcome was agreeable. The phrase “let him cook” is also commonly used when someone is doing something and the speaker expects surprisingly good results.
“He really cooked on that essay, he got a 96!”
“Don’t stop him, let him cook.”
Cringe/Cringy
When something is so embarrassing or awkward that it makes you uncomfortable. It can also be used as a more general term to describe things that you disagree with.
“Watching that guy act like a complete nerd was so cringy.”
“Liking Pepsi better than Coke is cringe.”
Extra
When something is over the top or exaggerated.
“The way she dresses with all those outrageous colors, it’s so extra.”
Fire
When something is amazing or cool.
“His new album was fire!”
GOAT
Acronym for “greatest of all time.” Used when something or someone is truly spectacular. It is pronounced like the animal.
“Have you seen this guy on Tiktok? His skits are the GOAT.”
Lowkey
Whatever they’re saying they want to be confidential or not be made into a big deal. It can also mean “kind of.”
“Lowkey I didn’t like her playlist at all.”
“That pizza was lowkey way better than I expected it to be.”
Rizz
Originating from the word “charisma,” rizz is your charm or natural attractiveness. To “rizz” somebody is to get them to like you in a romantic way.
“His rizz is off the charts, no way he gets rejected.”
Slaps
When something is fantastic.
“That song really slaps, play it again.”
Vibing
Similar to “chilling” mentioned before, vibing is hanging around and relaxing.
“Yeah we’re vibing in the basement, come on down.”
Salty
When someone is upset.
“She is salty about losing the last round.”
Trying to learn every single slang word currently popular would be a waste of time. There’s so much of it and about half will be out of style in two weeks.
So when that rascal cousin or knave nephew starts talking incomprehensible code at the Christmas dinner table, you might surprise them with a relevant comment on the topic instead of being gatekept by the youth jargon, like every other person over 30 at the table.
