Let's Talk About Slang

When I say "slang," what terms come to mind? If you're thinking of "slay," "bet," "cap," or "sus," I think it's safe to say you're Gen Z, like me. If you thought of "bae," "lit," or "woke," you're probably a Millennial. Finally, Gen X, I bet you thought of terms like, "chill pill," "gnarly," or "diss". But have you ever stopped to wonder why slang changes from generation to generation, how they are shaped by culture, technology, and now more than ever, the internet? What was once "rad" became "lit," and now it's "fire." Social media accelerates these changes even more, making slang trends come and go faster than ever.

Platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram play a huge role in how slang spreads today. A single viral video can introduce a new term overnight, and suddenly, everyone is saying it. But just as quickly as slang trends rise, they also fall. The moment brands, celebrities, or even parents start using them, they lose their quirkiness. A recent example of this is "demure." After a TikTok video made it popular, the term exploded for a couple of weeks before it became way overused. Now, no one uses it anymore because it’s deemed "cringey." Which is another slang term.

Slang isn’t just about sounding cool; it’s a reflection of the times when they were created. Each generation’s slang is shaped by its unique experiences, values, and cultural influences. For Gen Z, the rise of internet culture, meme humor, and an emphasis on inclusivity have shaped new words like "rizz" (charisma) or "delulu" (delusional but in a lighthearted way). Meanwhile, Millennials grew up in the early days of the internet, which is why their slang often borrows from early social media and pop culture references. Even older slang tells a story. Terms like "groovy" or "far out" from the ‘70s reflect the free-spirited nature of that era, just as today's slang captures the chronically online, ironic humor of Gen Z.

There's no doubt that Gen Z and Gen Alpha have mastered the art of irony, absurdity, and inside jokes, making their slang feel chaotic to others. A single word can mean multiple things depending on tone, context, or even who’s saying it. For example, "ate" can mean someone did something exceptionally well, while "be so for real" is often used sarcastically to call out something ridiculous. The humor behind these phrases is often layered, making them hard to decode unless you're constantly online. This level of unseriousness isn't just for fun, it’s a coping mechanism, a way to shield against the overwhelmingness of social media with humor. Instead of taking things too seriously, Gen Z and Gen Alpha embrace humor, even in the way they speak.

This unseriousness isn’t just random; it’s deeply tied to how Gen Z and Gen Alpha have grown up. Unlike previous generations, they were raised in the era of social media, meme culture, and constant internet access. Because of this, their sense of humor is built on irony, exaggeration, and self-awareness. You can tell in slang today with phrases that are intentionally ridiculous or even contradictory. Take “rizz,” for example, a made-up shorthand for “charisma” that somehow took over the internet. Or “it’s giving,” a phrase that originally stemmed from fashion critiques but is now used for pretty much anything. The humor comes from the unexpectedness, the exaggerated delivery, and the fact that half the time, it’s not really meant to make sense.

This ever-evolving slang culture also reflects a shift in communication styles. Instead of focusing on being sophisticated, younger generations prioritize relatability and authenticity. They’re uninterested in sounding overly professional; they actually push back against it. Whether it’s using lowercase text to seem more casual, adding intentional typos for comedic effect, or overusing emojis in an ironic way, Gen Z and Gen Alpha have developed their own unspoken rules for what feels "real." A big part of this shift is humor, specifically, the kind of humor that thrives in online spaces. Younger generations love to poke fun at formal speech, corporate jargon, and anything that feels too “try-hard.” That’s why a LinkedIn post that says, “We're thrilled to announce our latest innovation” comes across as stiff, while a TikTok caption like, “ayo we did a thing” feels more natural. The more that brands try to force slang into their messaging without understanding its context, the more awkward it gets. That’s exactly why brands struggle to use Gen Z slang correctly. It’s not just about the words themselves but about how and when they’re used. Slang is deeply tied to tone, timing, and subtext. If a company starts using “slay” or “rizz” without fully grasping the meaning and culture behind them, it instantly reads as fake and weird. The second a phrase becomes corporate-approved, it loses its cool factor, just like when your mom starts saying “YOLO” or your boss sends an email with “Let’s get this bread.”

Slang is way more than just a collection of trendy words; it’s a reflection of culture, humor, and the way younger generations navigate the world. As language continues to evolve at such a crazy pace, driven by the internet and social media, it’s clear that slang will always be an important part of self-expression. What’s popular today might be outdated tomorrow, but the cycle will continue, with each new generation creating its own unique way of communicating and confusing past generations with each term. Whether it’s playful, ironic, or entirely absurd, slang captures the essence of the moment. While brands and older generations may struggle to keep up, one thing is certain: Slang isn't just a trend; it's a cultural force that belongs to the people who create it, shape it, and eventually, outgrow it.