The holidays mean family. Family means multiple generations. Multiple generations can lead to language barriers.
Before you get into the well-trodden confusions and annual arguments (e.g., Who are you voting for? What’s wrong with kids these days? Was ’80s music really that much better?), consult this quick guide for generational slang to prepare yourself. We’ve offered replies to the following phrases. Trust us, they’re mostly positive, but either way, you’re sure to get a smile.
Gen-Z Speak, Explained
“I’ve got rizz.”
Origin: Shortened from ‘charisma.’
Translation: They think they’ve got game.
Reply: “Cap.”
“She ate.”
Origin: Allegedly from early 2000s LGBTQ+ and African American culture.
Translation: She did well.
Reply: “Left no crumbs.”
“What the sigma?”
Origin: A viral meme video related to Spongebob.
Translation: Tween-speak for “What the heck?” – technically Gen Alpha.
Reply: “Let him cook!”
“It smells like updog in here.”
Origin: A prank.
Translation: It’s a trap. Nothing is updog.
Do not reply!
Boomer Speak, Explained
“Everyone smile for the photo…”
Origin: Parents are notorious for posting excessively and choosing unflattering photos.
Translation: That photo is instantly going on Facebook (no editing).
Reply: “Please don’t post.”
“Are you going steady?”
Origin: Formally committing to a partner.
Translation: Is it Instagram-official yet?
Reply: “No, but he’s sweet on me.”
“What’s on the boob tube?”
Origin: A way to describe people that would want to spend all of their time watching TV when it was still new.
Translation: What’s on TV?
Reply: “There was more to watch with just three channels.”
“Cheese it, it’s the fuzz.”
Origin: Warning someone to stop; believed to be related to obeying the police, especially.
Translation: You’ve got a cool grandma.
Reply: “Bummer! Who’s the narc?”
Gen-X Speak, Explained
“That’s bad!”
Origin: Possibly traces as far back as the 1920s jazz scene.
Translation: That’s good!
Reply: “Tubular, man.”
“Gag me with a spoon.”
Origin: Valley girl dialect.
Translation: They’re displeased.
Reply: “Grody to the max.”
“My parents didn’t know where I was from 1979–1987, and I turned out fine.”
Origin: A reference to the ‘latchkey’ generation, one that was less supervised.
Translation: They did not, in fact, turn out fine.
Reply: “We drank from the hose!”
“Whatever.”
Origin: Pop culture media, especially intended for teens.
Translation: You can’t surpass their indifference.
Sit in silent ennui. Eye roll = extra points.
Millennial Speak, Explained
“That’s legit.”
Origin: Traced all the way back to 1897 in theater to describe ‘legitimate drama,’ or one with literary merit.
Translation: They approve.
Reply: “Highkey, it’s a vibe.”
“I literally can’t even.”
Origin: Early social media, specifically being Tumblr and Twitter.
Translation: They don’t know what to do.
Reply: “Adulting is hard.”
“I got ghosted.”
Origin: Years back, when ‘ghost’ was used to describe leaving without saying goodbye.
Translation: Online dating isn’t working out.
Reply: “LOL #foreveralone”
“Squad up!”
Origin: Originally used in military and police context, pop culture adapted what ‘squad’ means.
Translation: Gather, compatriots, and depart.
Reply: “Yas, let’s go queen!”
