Generation Slang: Can You Decode What Gen Alpha and Young Gen Z Are Saying?

You're walking past a group of teens, and one of them says, “That guy has level zero rizz!” Another one chimes in, “That’s so Ohio!” 

You pause, pretending you know what they just said, but inside? You’re feeling ancient (even though you’re, like, what, 19?). 

Welcome to the world of young Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang, where a few years can make even college students feel out of touch. Words like skibidi aren’t just sounds — they’re part of a fast-moving culture that blends memes, TikTok trends, and inside jokes that change quicker than the latest viral dance. 

For teenagers today, slang is a way to build their own identity and create a boundary between their world and, well... our world. If you’ve ever felt totally out of the loop when your younger sibling or cousin drops terms like “gyatt” or “fanum tax,” you’re not alone. Slang is constantly evolving, and keeping up with these slang words 2024 feels like a full-time job.

But here’s why this matters: slang is a cultural marker. For immigrants trying to immerse themselves in a new culture or for undergraduate students navigating social circles, understanding these slang phrases can be the difference between feeling included or left out. 

Let’s decode what all this means so you won’t feel like you just missed the internet’s biggest inside joke.

Put Your Slang Skills to the Test with Our Gen Z Slang & Emoji Quiz!

Before diving into the unique slang of each generation, why not test your knowledge of today’s hottest words and emoji meanings? Slang isn’t just about language - it’s a cultural snapshot of each generation, reflecting everything from their interests to their inside jokes. Think you’re fluent in Gen Z lingo?

Our Gen Z Slang & Emoji Quiz will challenge you to decode the latest phrases and symbols.

Jump in, see if you can pass the vibe check, and let’s get ready to explore the fascinating world of generational slang!

What is Slang and Why Your Brother Speaks a Different Language

So, what exactly is slang? 

It’s an informal language that moves fast, doesn’t care about rules, and is constantly shaped by culture and technology. 

What’s different today is how quickly slang spreads. Thanks to the internet and globalization, a word can catch on worldwide in a matter of days. One TikTok meme can turn into the latest slang in every corner of the globe.

A few key points about generation slang:

• It’s informal: Slang isn’t meant for essays or job interviews. It’s the language of quick texts, inside jokes, and meme culture. It doesn’t follow grammar rules, and honestly, that’s what makes it fun.
• It’s constantly evolving: Slang changes fast. In the ’90s, people were saying “phat” (meaning cool), while today it’s “bussin’” (which also means cool, but with more hype). What was trendy in 2022 can already feel ancient by 2024.
• It’s culturally specific: Different generations, regions, and subcultures all have their own set of slang words. For example, “rizz” (charisma) is huge among Gen Alpha, but Millennials might not use it. And don’t even get me started on how out of touch Boomers feel hearing it!

Historically, slang has always been around, though. 

Here’s a quick slang history lesson📜:

The first known mention of the word "slang" dates back to the mid-18th century. It was originally used in England to describe the language of "disreputable" people: thieves, street vendors, and gamblers. It wasn’t something you’d want your parents to hear you speaking. Back then, slang was often seen as rebellious or dangerous because it was associated with subcultures.

By the 19th century, slang began to evolve and spread beyond, making its way into mainstream language. It started to reflect broader aspects of society, like youth movements, music, and regional dialects. 

For example, in the 1920s, slang was heavily influenced by African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and jazz culture. Words like "cool" and "hip" started to enter everyday conversations and haven’t left since.

The Cultural Mirror We Didn’t See Coming

The thing is, slang isn’t just some fun, random language quirk. It’s a reflection of the times, of what’s going on around us, and how we define ourselves as a generation.

Social Trends & Generational Slang: What’s the Word?

Every generation has its own version of “cool,” and it’s never just about sounding trendy. It’s about who they are and what’s happening in their world:

• Baby Boomers:
  Take the baby boomers slang like “groovy” and “far out” from the ‘60s. Those words were all about the peace-and-love counterculture. Boomers weren’t trying to impress anyone. They wanted change, new ideas, and breaking free from societal norms. Optimism? Open-mindedness? Their slang reflected all that.
• Millennials:
  Fast forward to millennials slang with words like “FOMO” and “ghosting.” Millennials grew up in a time when being constantly connected online was the new normal. Ever scroll through Instagram and feel like you’re missing out on everything? That’s FOMO right there. It perfectly describes the anxiety of watching everyone’s picture-perfect life while you’re just trying to live yours.
• Gen Z:
  And then there’s Gen Z. They brought us words like “woke” and “canceled,” and they’re practically battle cries. For them, slang is a form of activism. These words show how deeply they care about social justice, accountability, and holding people responsible for their actions. It’s how they express their values in a connected, but complex, world.

Pop Culture, Ads, and Memes: When Slang Takes Over Everything

Slang spreads everywhere — TV, movies, ads — you name it. 

Remember when “on fleek” exploded back in 2014? It all started with a Vine video, and before you knew it, everyone from Ariana Grande to your local Domino’s Pizza was using it. Suddenly, “on fleek” was everywhere to describe anything that looked flawless, and brands jumped on the trend to stay relevant. 

Because, of course, they did.

And let’s go back to the millennials slang like “ghosting” that became a plot point in shows like Broad City and Insecure, perfectly capturing the chaos of modern dating. 

Oh, and ever heard the word “sus”? If you played Among Us during 2020, you know. It’s short for “suspicious,” and it blew up during the game’s craze. Now, you’ll hear people using it in real life to describe anything shady. 

And let’s go back to the millennials slang like “ghosting” that became a plot point in shows like Broad City and Insecure, perfectly capturing the chaos of modern dating. 

Oh, and ever heard the word “sus”? If you played Among Us during 2020, you know. It’s short for “suspicious,” and it blew up during the game’s craze. Now, you’ll hear people using it in real life to describe anything shady. 

Slang: The Secret Code for Belonging

Using slang is a way to say, “I’m one of you.” Whether it's baby boomers slang or the latest TikTok terms, language is a powerful connector. It’s how we show we’re in the know, part of the conversation, and aligned with our peers. If you don’t understand the latest slang, you risk feeling left out. Or worse, like you’ve accidentally wandered into “old person” territory.

What Else is it Good For? More Than You Think!

Here’s what else slang does:

• Challenges Authority: Slang is low-key rebellious. From Gen X slang like “whatever” to today’s “canceled,” it’s always been a way to push back against the system, poke at rules, or call out those in charge.
• Pushes Social Trends: Thanks to TikTok and memes, slang is behind a lot of trends and movements, turning inside jokes or phrases into things everyone’s talking about.
• Gives Subcultures Their Own Voice: Whether it’s gamers using “pog” or fandoms talking about their “OTP”, slang gives niche communities their own way to express themselves and feel like they belong.

Slang By the Numbers: Who’s Using What?

You might think slang is just a Gen Z thing, but guess what? Generation slang has been around forever, and everyone has their own secret code. But the real question is: Who’s still in the game, and who’s just trying not to look confused?

Let’s break down how each generation is handling slang. Spoiler alert: some are thriving, and others… well, not so much.

(This is all based on data from different Preply reports found in the Sources section.)

The Generational Slang Tug-of-War

Each generation has its favorites and its pet peeves when it comes to slang. What’s funny is how often these cross paths in confusing ways. Boomers don’t understand their grandkids, many Gen Xers struggle with their co-workers, and Gen Z? Well, they sometimes have no idea what Boomers are even talking about.

• Boomers (Born 1946-1964): Still hanging onto classics like “bummer” (and honestly, it’s kind of sweet). But, they have a major case of slang confusion. Over 53% of them admit they can’t keep up with their kids' or grandkids' lingo. The ones that do want to spice things up wish they could use “fire”. And "wannabe" is still alive in their vocab!
• Generation X (Born 1965-1980): Remember "chill"? It’s still hanging on, loved by 61% of Gen Xers. But 30% of them admit that they struggle to understand younger coworkers. A good portion of them, though, are trying to adopt the term “CEO of.” 
• Millennials (Born 1981-1996): Slang-wise, this group is caught in between. Millennials continue using “OMG,” but they share that with Gen Z. They’re also getting serious “sksksk” regret. 
• Gen Z (Born 1997-2012): This is the TikTok generation, constantly inventing new slang. Their favorite term is “sus” (suspicious). Interestingly, 25% of Gen Z admits they struggle with older coworkers’ slang. 

The Great Slang Divide: When to Say It (Or Just Don’t)

While slang can be fun, most people agree it’s not for every situation. Almost 89% of Americans think slang is unprofessional. 97% of people said using it in a job interview is a no-go. Yet somehow, 42% said they’ve let slang slip in front of their boss. 

First dates are another slang minefield. While 64% said it’s fine to sprinkle in a little here and there, don’t overdo it. In fact, 73% said if you’re heavy-handed with slang on date one, it could be a total dealbreaker.

Generation Slang Word Lists

This generation slang word list is your chance to pick up a few words you didn’t even know you needed. Who knows? You might start using some vintage Boomer lingo or impress your younger friends with a TikTok term. 

Let’s take a peek at the words that define the daily lives of each generation — you might even find a new favorite!

Baby Boomers Edition

Let’s talk about the Baby Boomers slang, a generation that defined "cool" in their own way during the post-World War II era. 

Born between 1946 and 1964, the Baby Boom generation grew up in a time of major social movements: civil rights, the counterculture of the ’60s, and the peace-and-love era. Their slang captured the rebellious, optimistic, and laid-back vibe of the time. If you’ve ever heard someone say “peace out,” you’ve gotten a taste of this generation’s language.

Here’s a list of popular Baby Boomer generation slang that gives you a glimpse into their world:

You might even find yourself using some of these without realizing their history!

Gen X: The OGs of "Whatever" Culture

Gen X is like the middle child of generations. 

Born between 1965 and 1980, they grew up in a time of mixtapes, MTV, and the rise of personal computers. These were the latchkey kids who balanced a world before the internet with the early digital age. They saw the dawn of punk rock, the grunge scene, and had a healthy dose of skepticism toward authority. 

Naturally, Gen X slang reflects this mix of rebellion and a “meh” attitude.

This Gen X slang list is packed with the words that shaped how the generation spoke. Whether they were chilling out or dissing someone, Gen X slang words were the ultimate way to express their laid-back, slightly rebellious vibe. 

And if you’ve ever found yourself saying “whatever” or calling someone a “dude,” you can thank Generation X slang.

Millennials: "Adulting" and Everything Lit

Millennials, also known as Generation Y (who knew that?), were born in a time of rapid change, and their slang is a reflection of that. 

The internet shaped the Millennial experience like nothing else. Back in the early 2000s, you had AIM chats, MySpace, and later, Facebook. Memes became the language of the internet, and everything from social justice movements to relationship drama found its way into most millennials slang.

But here’s the thing: as social media has evolved, younger Millennials and Gen Z slang sometimes overlaps, making it hard to tell who said what first. 

Gen Z Slang Game: No Cap, They’re Redefining Communication

If you’ve ever been around Gen Z, you know their communication is on a whole new level. 

Between TikTok, Instagram, and memes flying, Gen Z slang is constantly evolving. They keep things fast and punchy — there’s no time for long explanations when you have a new trend to follow every five minutes. And while Millennials might have popularized texting, Gen Z made it an art form, mixing emojis, abbreviations, and internet slang like never before.

The Generation Z slang is concise, clever, and quick. They communicate emotions, humor, and even entire stories with just one word or phrase. 

Here are some of their most popular Gen Z slang 2024 words that you need to know, so you can keep up (or at least pretend to):

Generation Alpha: The Future of Slang Starts Early

Generation Alpha may be the youngest kids on the block, but they’re already starting to shape the future of communication, even if it’s still in its early stages. 

Growing up with voice assistants like Alexa and being tech-savvy, this generation is embracing digital slang at a rapid pace. As social media and gaming trends infiltrate their world, their slang is heavily influenced by memes, viral trends, and YouTube catchphrases.

While some terms have carried over from Gen Z, Generation Alpha is already making tweaks, and some words are popping up in their early conversations. 

Here are some of the emerging Generation Alpha slang words and trends to keep an eye on (sorry if we’re using it in a cringy way!):

As tech evolves and new platforms rise, Alpha generation slang is likely to reflect the speed and influence of the digital world. We can expect:

• Voice assistants: With tools like Alexa and Google Assistant as everyday companions, voice commands could influence new slang patterns.
• Gaming influence: As gaming remains huge for Gen Alpha, terms like "pog" and "opps" could evolve into new forms of everyday speech.
• Hyper-meme culture: Memes are already a big influence, but as this generation gets older, expect a lot more meme-driven terms to enter their vocabulary.

While they’re still kids, who knows what the new generation slang holds? We might all be saying “gyatt” and “rizzler” in the near future!

Your Grandma Didn’t Say ‘Slay,’ and Here’s Why That Matters

Imagine this: It’s 2040, and you’re 60 years old. You’re hanging out with your grandkids, and they drop a word like “plurnk” to describe something. You blink twice, because what even is a “plurnk?” You check your phone to see if Urban Dictionary is still a thing. You have no clue.

That, right there, is the generational language gap — and slang is the bridge that keeps breaking and leads to miscommunication:

• Boomers and Gen Xers: Many boomers, for example, are baffled by Gen Z's overuse of “literally,” especially when nothing literal is happening. Your dad might ask, “Why did you say ‘literally dying’ if you’re clearly standing right there?” 
• Millennials: The millennial generation has its own flavor of confusing slang for older generations, like the now-cringey “adulting.” Try explaining that to your grandma. “You mean… you’re just doing normal life stuff?” she’d ask, confused. Yeah, pretty much.

The Adaptation Game: How Generations Catch Up (Or Don’t)

Older, previous generations always try (and sometimes fail) to catch up with slang. I mean, you probably have a parent who, in the late 2000s, tried to use “YOLO” but did it in a way that made you question your entire existence.

But occasionally, they get it right. In fact, 54% of parents claim to know and use their kids’ slang. That sounds optimistic. But it also led to cringeworthy attempts. Remember when “bae” was hot? Next thing you know, your mom’s calling your dad her “bae” on Facebook, and you’re ready to delete your account. (It’s officially the most annoying slang word, according to 29% of Americans!). 

On the flip side, young people sometimes bring back older terms. For example, in the mid-2010s, slang phrases like “cool beans” made a comeback for a hot second. So, it’s not a one-way street, though those instances are rare.

Why Slang Changes So Fast

Partly thanks to the internet. 

In 1990, it took a while for a word like “rad” to make its way from surf culture into the mainstream. Now, if someone in Brooklyn coins a term on TikTok, it can become part of global slang in days. In 2019, linguists were amazed at how quickly words like "wig" and "tea" spread, thanks to the magic of social media platforms.

It’s not just TikTok, though. Memes and hashtags create this constantly shifting landscape of language, where terms that were cool a week ago are suddenly "cheugy" (Google it, it’s a Millennial thing).

Fun Fact: In 2014, Oxford Dictionaries crowned “vape” as the word of the year. Vaping was all the rage, and even if you didn’t do it, you knew the word. In contrast, 2022’s word of the year? “Goblin mode,” a term no one saw coming, describing those days where you just embrace your inner lazy gremlin.

The Slang Dilemma in Education

Picture this: You're sitting in English class, and a classmate says, “That poem totally slaps!” The teacher stops. Is that a compliment, or...? This raises the big question: should you be using slang like that in school, or should it be kept out of class?

Many teachers feel slang phrases make it harder for students to communicate professionally. For example, 54% of teachers worry slang could lead to misunderstandings or weaken formal writing skills​. 

On the flip side, other educators see value in allowing some slang in creative writing or informal discussions. Language is alive, and slang reflects culture. Why not use it to keep college and high school students engaged?

How Slang Helps in Creative Writing

Take creative writing assignments, for example. You’re trying to sound all formal, and it just doesn’t feel like you. But if you throw in some words you actually use, like “lit” or “no cap,” suddenly your writing feels more like you. And that can make your story pop with personality.

Slang, when used in the right places, carries an emotional punch that regular words sometimes don’t. Think about it: does “amazing” or “fire” feel stronger when describing that viral video? Exactly.

Plus, studies have shown that students who can code-switch — which is basically switching between slang and more formal language — actually get better at both​. So, using slang won’t ruin your grammar. In fact, it might make you a better communicator all around.

Balancing Slang and Professionalism

Of course, there’s a balance. 

Nobody’s saying you should turn in essays filled with TikTok slang. But completely rejecting the language students use daily can alienate them, making school feel disconnected from real life.

The trick is learning when slang works and when it doesn’t. It’s like dressing for different occasions. Just like you wouldn’t wear flip-flops to a job interview, you shouldn’t use “on fleek” in a formal essay. But having space to use it in casual conversations or creative writing can make school feel less stiff.

A great approach might be using slang to talk about language itself. For example, in class, ask, “How does saying something’s ‘fire’ feel different from saying it’s ‘awesome’?” That helps you think more about the impact of words and when each kind of language fits best.

So, Can You Say ‘Yeet’ in Class?

The answer? Kind of. It’s not about tossing out formal writing or going wild with TikTok words in every assignment. It’s about knowing where and when it’s okay. Slang can totally have its place, as long as you understand how to switch it up when it counts.

And if your teacher gets on board with it? That’s fire.

FAQs