2020s

/slay/

Do something exceptionally well

Origin: Ballroom/drag culture, mainstream 2020s

"You slayed that presentation."

/bet/

Okay; agreed; sure

Origin: African American slang

"Wanna grab food? — Bet."

/noh kap/

No lie; for real

Origin: Atlanta hip-hop, mainstream 2018+

"That movie was bad, no cap."

/its GIV-ing/

It resembles / has the energy of

Origin: Ballroom culture, TikTok 2021

"That outfit is giving main character."

/riz/

Charisma, esp. romantic

Origin: Coined by streamer Kai Cenat, 2022

"He's got mad rizz."

/mid/

Mediocre; unimpressive

Origin: Hip-hop, TikTok mainstream 2021

"Honestly, that restaurant is mid."

/BUS-in/

Really good (usually food)

Origin: African American slang, TikTok 2020

"These tacos are bussin'."

/duh-LOO-loo/

Delusional (affectionately)

Origin: K-pop fandom, mainstream TikTok 2023

"I'm delulu thinking he'll text back."

/SIG-muh/

Lone-wolf cool guy (often ironic)

Origin: Manosphere meme, ironic Gen Alpha use

"He ate lunch alone — total sigma."

/skuh-BID-ee/

Chaotic / nonsensical (Gen Alpha)

Origin: From 'Skibidi Toilet' YouTube series 2023

"That was straight up skibidi behavior."

/ayt/

Did something flawlessly

Origin: Ballroom culture, mainstream 2022

"She ate and left no crumbs."

/VIL-un ark/

A period where someone stops trying to please others and starts prioritizing their own needs or acting out.

Origin: TikTok commentary on narrative tropes.

""I actually have to work on a Friday? This is my villain arc.""

/meyn KAIR-ik-ter EN-er-jee/

Displaying the confidence or centeredness of a protagonist in a movie.

Origin: Social media trope regarding self-actualization.

""The way she just ignored him was giving main character energy.""

/let him kook/

To let someone perform a task they are supposedly good at, or to observe a wild train of thought.

Origin: Internet meme culture, specifically sports and gaming Twitter.

""Don't let him cook, he's actually making the situation worse.""

/RIZ-ler/

A person who possesses an abundance of charisma or 'rizz'.

Origin: Streamer Kai Cenat; a play on the word 'charisma'.

""He thinks he's the rizzler, but he's got zero game.""

/krinj/

Extremely awkward or secondary embarrassment.

Origin: Evolution of 'cringey' into a standalone noun/adjective.

""Looking at your old middle school photos is pure cringe.""

/un-SPO-ken riz/

The ability to attract a partner without saying a word, purely through aura.

Origin: TikTok/Kai Cenat slang.

""She has the most unspoken rizz I've ever seen; she doesn't even have to try.""

/mid/

Mediocre, average, or uninspiring.

Origin: Derived from 'mid-tier' in gaming and cannabis culture.

""That fit is mid; you can find better at the thrift store.""

/fel awf/

To lose one's popularity, quality, or relevance.

Origin: Hip-hop and social media commentary.

""He fell off after the third album; nobody listens to him anymore.""

/riz king/

The pinnacle of charisma or social dominance in a specific niche.

Origin: Gen Alpha Internet brain-rot memes.

""Baby Gronk is the new 'Rizz King' according to the latest TikToks.""

/kookd/

In a hopeless situation or completely exhausted/done for.

Origin: Gaming and sports vernacular for being defeated.

""I'm so cooked if I don't pass this final exam.""

/AW-ruh/

A metaphorical measurement of someone's coolness or presence.

Origin: Sports social media, specifically soccer/football 'aura' points.

""You're standing there with negative aura after dropping your phone like that.""

/oh-HY-oh/

Something weird, cringey, or strangely out of place.

Origin: 'Only in Ohio' memes depicting the state as a surreal wasteland.

""My mom trying to use slang is so Ohio.""

/MYOO-ing/

A technique of tongue posture used to try and define the jawline, often associated with a silent 'shushing' gesture.

Origin: Orthodontic theories (Dr. Mew) co-opted by looksmaxxing culture.

""That's some serious Mewing progress; look at his jawline.""

/MOG-ing/

To be physically superior to or more attractive than another person in a comparison.

Origin: Fitness and 'looksmaxxing' forums ('AMOG' - Alpha Male Of Group).

""He's mogging everyone in this room right now.""

/RAY-shee-oh/

When a reply to a post gets more likes than the original post, indicating a public disagreement/burn.

Origin: Twitter/X platform mechanics.

""Wait, are we still saying 'ratio' in 2024?""

/GRID-ee/

A specific dance move involving swinging arms and tapping heels.

Origin: Created by Allen 'Griddy' Davis, popularized by Justin Jefferson.

""He literally hit the griddy after scoring the touchdown.""

/PIK-mee/

A person who acts a certain way to gain validation from the opposite sex by putting others down.

Origin: Black Twitter; specifically 'Pick-me' girls/boys.

""Stop being such a pick-me; he's not going to date you because you hate makeup.""

/en-pee-SEE/

A Non-Player Character; someone who lacks original thought or follows a predictable script.

Origin: Video game mechanics applied to real-life social behavior.

""Don't be a NPC, go out and actually do something today.""

/es-THET-ik/

A specific visual style that is pleasing or fits a certain subculture theme (often bright/Lululemon for Gen Alpha).

Origin: Tumblr/Instagram visual culture.

""Those shoes are definitely preppy, very aesthetic.""

/SKREE-ming/

An exaggerated way to say something is incredibly funny or shocking.

Origin: Stan culture on Twitter/Tumblr.

""I'm literally screaming at this TikTok.""

/eyt NYE loh KRUMZ/

To do something perfectly or impressively.

Origin: AAVE (African American Vernacular English).

""She ate that dance routine and left no crumbs.""

/bed ROT-ing/

Spending long periods in bed doing nothing but scrolling on a phone.

Origin: Mental health and productivity discourse on TikTok.

""I have so much work to do, but I'm just rotting in bed.""

/bop/

A very good song with a catchy beat.

Origin: AAVE; popularized in the late 2010s but remains a Gen Z staple.

""The new Drake song is a bop.""

/BRAYN-rot/

Low-quality, hyper-stimulating content that supposedly numbs the mind.

Origin: Internet irony culture regarding surreal Gen Alpha content.

""If you like that movie, you have no taste, it's total brain rot.""

/POO-kee/

A term of endearment for a friend, partner, or even oneself; cute or precious.

Origin: TikTok 'pookie-fication' trends.

""I'm feeling so pookie today, can we get boba?""

/tee/

Gossip or juicy information.

Origin: Black Drag culture/AAVE.

""What's the tea on the drama between them?""

/GAS-ly-ting/

To manipulate someone into questioning their own reality (often used loosely for any lie).

Origin: 1944 film 'Gaslight', rediscovered by Gen Z psychology-talk.

""He's gaslighting me into thinking I lost my keys.""

/duh-LOO-loo/

Delusional, usually in the context of a crush or unrealistic expectation.

Origin: K-pop fan culture ('delulu is the only solulu').

""You're so delulu if you think he's going to text you back.""

/LIT-ul gy/

A term used to describe something small, cute, or harmless, often ironically.

Origin: TikTok/Internet meme culture.

""Look at this kitten, he's just a little guy.""

/BAY-tuh/

A perceived lack of confidence or dominance; often used ironically or in 'alpha' discourse.

Origin: Manosphere culture co-opted by Gen Z irony.

""He's standing in the corner like a total beta.""

/slay/

To look amazing or do something exceptionally well.

Origin: Black Ballroom culture/LGBTQ+ community.

""She looks so slay in that outfit.""

/noh KAP/

Truly, honestly, or 'no lie'.

Origin: AAVE (Atlanta hip-hop).

""No cap, that was the best pizza I've ever had.""

/YAP-ing/

Talking too much about nothing; rambling.

Origin: Old slang revived by TikTok and streamers.

""Stop yapping and just get to the point.""

/FAN-um taks/

The 'right' to take a portion of a friend's food.

Origin: Streamer Fanum and the AMP group.

""The fanum tax is real every time he buys fries.""

/SIG-muh/

A 'lone wolf' who is successful but doesn't follow social norms (often used ironically).

Origin: Pseudo-psychology 'alpha/beta' hierarchies.

""He thinks he's a Sigma male because he works out alone.""

/SKIB-ih-dee/

A nonsensical term derived from a viral YouTube series, often used as a generic adjective for 'bad' or 'weird' by Alpha.

Origin: DaFuq!?Boom! YouTube series.

""Your Skibidi toilet memes are getting out of hand.""

/burnt/

Exhausted, but specifically referring to the feeling of being over-stimulated by screens.

Origin: Digital wellness discourse.

""I just need some blue light therapy and a nap, I'm so burnt.""

/dub-ul-yoo / el/

'Win' or 'Loss'; used to describe someone's quality or the outcome of a situation.

Origin: Sports and gaming 'W/L' columns.

""Is he a W or an L friend for doing that?""

/TWEEK-ing/

Acting crazy, overreacting, or being under high stress.

Origin: AAVE; originally referring to drug-induced behavior.

""Stop tweaking, it's not that serious.""

/GLAY-zer/

To excessively compliment or 'suck up' to someone.

Origin: Gaming communities/TikTok (associating 'glaze' with donuts/sugarcoating).

""He's a glazer, he agrees with everything the boss says.""

/GYAT/

Exclamation seeing an impressive physique

Origin: YourRAGE Twitch stream, TikTok 2023

"Chat just spammed gyatt."

/IK/

Sudden disgust killing romantic attraction

Origin: UK Love Island 2017, TikTok 2022-2023

"He chewed loud and she got the ick."

/LOOKS-max-ing/

Obsessively optimizing physical appearance

Origin: Incel forums, TikTok 2022+

"He has a 12-step skincare routine from looksmaxxing."

/LOR/

Someone's backstory or personal history

Origin: Gaming worldbuilding, TikTok 2022+

"She has so much lore."

/sit-yoo-AY-shun-ship/

More than friendship, less than relationship

Origin: Gen Z dating discourse, 2021-2023

"They have been in a situationship for months."

/BAYJ FLAG/

Quirky neutral trait, neither red nor green

Origin: TikTok dating discourse, 2023

"He organizes books by color. Beige flag."

/GLAY-zing/

Excessively praising someone sycophantically

Origin: TikTok slang, 2023-2024

"The comments are just glazing him."

/DUB RIZ/

Exceptional romantic charisma

Origin: TikTok, W win + rizz, 2022-2023

"He got her number in two minutes, W rizz."

/EL RIZ/

Terrible charm; hopeless flirting

Origin: TikTok antonym of W rizz, 2023

"He tripped introducing himself. L rizz."

/OOMF/

One of my followers; vague reference

Origin: Twitter mutual culture, early 2020s

"Oomf just posted something about me."

/MYOO-choo-ul/

Someone you follow who follows back

Origin: Twitter culture, early 2020s

"We have been mutuals for three years."

/KAWT in FOR-KAY/

Caught with undeniable evidence

Origin: Twitter and TikTok, 2020-2022

"He was caught in 4K texting his ex."

/that iz so REEL/

I completely relate and validate

Origin: TikTok affirmation culture, 2022-2023

"Cried at the cartoon? That is so real."

/VER-ee deh-MYOOR/

Quiet elegance, used ironically

Origin: Jools Lebron viral TikTok, summer 2024

"I am being very demure at this interview."

/BRAT/

Confident messy hedonistic vibe

Origin: Charli XCX album Brat, summer 2024

"Green nails and late nights. So brat."

/TWIN/

Term of address for a friend

Origin: TikTok Gen Alpha vernacular, 2022-2024

"Twin you have to watch this."

/GOO-fee AH/

Hilariously stupid or absurd

Origin: TikTok brainrot, 2022-2023

"He wore a goofy ahh outfit."

/HAWK TOO-ah/

Onomatopoeic random hype exclamation

Origin: Haliey Welch viral interview, summer 2024

"He yelled hawk tuah for no reason."

/pee-oh-VEE/

Point of view; sets up a viewer scenario

Origin: TikTok video format, 2020+

"POV: you are late and the door is locked."

/GURL DIN-ur/

Meal of random snacks assembled without cooking

Origin: TikTok Olivia Maher, summer 2023

"Crackers, cheese, grapes. Girl dinner."

/KWY-et LUK-shur-ee/

Understated expensive aesthetic without logos

Origin: TikTok fashion discourse, 2023

"Beige cashmere, no branding. Quiet luxury."

/ROH-mun EM-pyr/

Something you think about constantly

Origin: TikTok viral trend, 2023

"The 2009 VMAs is my Roman Empire."

/MUH-thur/

Highest compliment; iconic revered figure

Origin: LGBTQ ballroom, Twitter and TikTok 2022+

"She invented a genre. She is mother."

/ROT-ing/

Lying in bed doing nothing by choice

Origin: Gen Z burnout humor, 2022-2024

"Been rotting in bed since Friday."

/KRIS-pee/

Clean, sharp, well put-together

Origin: Sneaker and sports culture, TikTok 2023+

"Those cleats are crispy."

/BOM-bo-klaat/

Jamaican expletive used as shock intensifier

Origin: Jamaican Patois, Twitter meme 2020+

"Bomboclaat, they cancelled the festival?"

/AYT that BEET/

Delivered incredible performance over a track

Origin: Hip-hop Twitter and TikTok, 2022-2024

"She ate that beat in one take."

/VIL-un EER-ah/

Phase of ruthless self-prioritization

Origin: TikTok self-empowerment, 2022-2023

"I stopped answering weekend texts. Villain era."

/SOFT LAWNCH/

Subtly revealing a new partner online

Origin: Instagram dating culture, 2021-2023

"She soft launched him with a sleeve in the photo."

/HARD LAWNCH/

Publicly revealing a relationship online

Origin: Instagram dating culture, 2022

"They hard launched on Valentine's Day."

/TUTCH GRAS/

Go outside; you are too online

Origin: Gaming and Twitter, 2021+

"Bro it is 3am, go touch grass."

/CHOO-ghee/

Outdated or trying too hard

Origin: Hallie Cain Twitter, viral TikTok 2021

"Live Laugh Love signs are cheugy."

/EER-ah/

A current personal phase or aesthetic

Origin: Taylor Swift Eras Tour, TikTok 2022+

"I am in my reading era this month."

/YAP-ing/

Talking excessively about nothing

Origin: AAVE expanded via TikTok, 2023

"He has been yapping for an hour."

/GLOH UP/

Dramatic improvement in appearance or status

Origin: Hip-hop, TikTok transformation videos 2020+

"Her senior year glow up was unreal."

/PIK MEE/

Person seeking validation by putting down peers

Origin: Twitter feminist discourse, 2018, TikTok 2021+

"She is such a pick me at work."

/SNAK/

Someone attractive enough to consume

Origin: AAVE, social media 2018+

"He looked like a whole snack tonight."

/CHEFT UP/

Highly polished or skillfully prepared

Origin: TikTok food and fit content, 2023

"That fit is cheffed up."

/LOKT IN/

Intensely focused on a task

Origin: Gaming and sports, TikTok mainstream 2023+

"I am locked in for finals week."

/SLEPT ON/

Underrated; ignored despite being good

Origin: Hip-hop slang, mainstream 2020+

"That album is so slept on."

/DRIP/

Stylish, expensive-looking outfit

Origin: Atlanta hip-hop, mainstream via 2018+

"His drip was unmatched at the party."

/LOH-kee HAY-ting/

Subtly resentful or jealous

Origin: Twitter and TikTok, 2022+

"She is lowkey hating in the comments."

/BAK-rooms/

Unsettling liminal-space aesthetic of empty offices

Origin: 4chan creepypasta 2019, TikTok 2022

"That hallway looks like the Backrooms."

/LIM-in-ul/

An eerie in-between space evoking nostalgia

Origin: TikTok aesthetic discourse, 2021-2023

"Empty malls at night feel so liminal."

/CHEEZD/

Annoyed or frustrated

Origin: British slang revived via TikTok, 2022+

"I am cheesed I missed the bus."

/SNACHD EJ-ez/

Hairline laid down flawlessly

Origin: Black hair community, Twitter and TikTok 2021+

"Her edges are snatched today."

/AYT DOWN/

Performed perfectly with no flaws

Origin: LGBTQ ballroom, TikTok 2023

"She ate down on that verse."

/eye FEER/

I think; honestly speaking

Origin: Twitter ironic anxiety phrasing, 2022

"I fear that was the best meal of my life."

/REEL/

Authentic; true; honest

Origin: AAVE, TikTok comment culture 2022+

"Real for that."