17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (2024)

Table of Contents
"Chill" can be an adjective to describe someone whos cool to spend time with or something thats fun to do. It can also mean to hang out, or be used as a directive to calm down To be "extra" is to be unnecessarily dramatic and over the top Unlike the British version of the term "fit," which means attractive, in the United States "fit" is just the shortened version of outfit To "flex" is to knowingly flaunt and show off. As a noun, a flex is the thing being shown off GOAT is an acronym that stands for the "greatest of all time," with strong roots in American hip-hop "Go off" can be used to encourage a choice, or to support a rant or ridiculous behavior thats already occurred, usually meant humorously "Lewk" is a variation of "look," a signature physical trait, or a specially and carefully constructed outfit or appearance "Lit" is an adjective to describe when somethings amazing, exciting, high-energy, or otherwise great. It can also mean intoxicated or drunk "Lowkey" is slightly, secretly, modestly, or discretely. Its the opposite of "highkey," for when youre sincerely or assertively into something To be "salty" is to be annoyed, upset, or bitter, usually about something minor To "slay" is to do really well or succeed at something. The term first emerged during the 1970s and 80s in the midst of black drag and ballroom culture. If someones "shook," theyre affected by something, usually negatively and emotionally. It can also mean shocked, surprised, or scared "Stan" can be a noun for an overzealous and obsessive fan, or a verb meaning to be that kind of fan. It originated from an Eminem song of the same name. Someone can be a "stan" of a celebrity, or used as a verb, they can "stan" them "Szn" is a shortened version of the word season, often used to refer to periods of the astrological calendar. "Tea" is gossip, and "spilling the tea" is the act of gossiping. We can also thank black drag culture for this iconic phrase. Someone is "thirsty" if theyre overly eager and desperate, usually for attention, approval, or compliments A "whip" is a car. Emerging in the 1990s US hip-hop scene to specifically refer to a Mercedes Benz, the word has since evolved to mean all cars FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Teens and members of Gen Z have come up with a whole host of new slang terms, many of which are confusing to older generations.

  • If you've ever wondered the meaning behind terms like "extra," "slay," "stan," or "salty," listen up.
  • Here's a list of 17 popular terms and the correct way to use them.
  • .

In a world dominated by meme culture, ever-changing social media platforms, and your ability to cram your thoughts into a 280-character tweet, your grasp of basic slang can make or break your credibility as a functional and supposedly cool human.

Scroll through the comments of any Gen Z influencer's Instagram feed, and you may feel completely out of the loop on what the world is talking about.

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Though many of these terms have been around for decades , oftentimes derived from the language of black and queer communities, online spaces have made the spread, appropriation , and evolution of language more rapid than ever before.

Whether you're millennial, Gen X-er, or baby boomer trying to stay up to date, or a Gen Z-er in need of an explanation, here's a list of 17 popular slang terms and the correct way to use them.

"Chill" can be an adjective to describe someone whos cool to spend time with or something thats fun to do. It can also mean to hang out, or be used as a directive to calm down

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (1)

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"I like her, she's chill."

"Wanna come over and chill?"

"Why you so mad? Just chill."

To be "extra" is to be unnecessarily dramatic and over the top

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17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (2)

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"She celebrated her birthday for an entire month. She's so extra."

Unlike the British version of the term "fit," which means attractive, in the United States "fit" is just the shortened version of outfit

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17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (3)

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"She had on a fire fit at the party."

"Their fit was bold."

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To "flex" is to knowingly flaunt and show off. As a noun, a flex is the thing being shown off

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (4)

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"He drove himself to school in a new car the day after he got his license. He's trying to flex."

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Source: Bustle

GOAT is an acronym that stands for the "greatest of all time," with strong roots in American hip-hop

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (5)

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Jae C. Hong/AP

With its most notable appearance during the early aughts in LL Cool J's eighth studio album "G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)," GOAT has popped up in various songs over the last few decades and now stands as a way to describe respected icons.

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"LeBron James is the GOAT. Period."

"Go off" can be used to encourage a choice, or to support a rant or ridiculous behavior thats already occurred, usually meant humorously

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (6)

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*Friend rants about teacher for five minutes straight*

"Alright, go off."

"Lewk" is a variation of "look," a signature physical trait, or a specially and carefully constructed outfit or appearance

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (7)

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"Their dress at prom was a lewk."

"Did you see Megan Thee Stallion's lewk in her newest video?"

Source: The Cut

"Lit" is an adjective to describe when somethings amazing, exciting, high-energy, or otherwise great. It can also mean intoxicated or drunk

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17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (8)

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"That party was lit."

"I was way too lit last night."

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"Lowkey" is slightly, secretly, modestly, or discretely. Its the opposite of "highkey," for when youre sincerely or assertively into something

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/Flickr

"I lowkey can't wait for summer to be over."

"I highkey love snow."

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To be "salty" is to be annoyed, upset, or bitter, usually about something minor

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (10)

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"You asked for a bite, but ate half my burger!"

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"You salty?"

To "slay" is to do really well or succeed at something. The term first emerged during the 1970s and 80s in the midst of black drag and ballroom culture.

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (11)

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Chris Pizzello/AP Photos

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"She slayed that fit."

"I slayed that test."

If someones "shook," theyre affected by something, usually negatively and emotionally. It can also mean shocked, surprised, or scared

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (12)

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Frantzesco Kangaris / Stringer / Getty Images

"Can't believe how that movie ended. I'm shook."

"Stan" can be a noun for an overzealous and obsessive fan, or a verb meaning to be that kind of fan. It originated from an Eminem song of the same name. Someone can be a "stan" of a celebrity, or used as a verb, they can "stan" them

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (13)

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Brian Rasic/Getty Images

"I stan pretty hard for Lizzo."

"Don't say that to the 'Game of Thrones' stans."

"Szn" is a shortened version of the word season, often used to refer to periods of the astrological calendar.

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17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (14)

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"It's Leo szn."

"I highkey cannot wait for Virgo szn to be over."

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"Tea" is gossip, and "spilling the tea" is the act of gossiping. We can also thank black drag culture for this iconic phrase.

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (15)

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"Spill the tea, what did he say?"

"Last night was a mess. Here's the tea."

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Someone is "thirsty" if theyre overly eager and desperate, usually for attention, approval, or compliments

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (16)

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AP Photo/Jessica Hill

"He's posted, like, 10 selfies in the last hour. He's so thirsty."

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A "whip" is a car. Emerging in the 1990s US hip-hop scene to specifically refer to a Mercedes Benz, the word has since evolved to mean all cars

17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (17)

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"Check out my new whip."

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See Also:

SEE ALSO: What 7 of the most confusing terms you see at a bar actually mean, according to a bartender

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17 slang words teens and Gen Z-ers are using in 2019, and what they mean (2024)
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