# Does it sound like kids are using a completely different language? Well, they are.
It seems like a right of passage for an older generation to complain about the "new language" the younger generations use. It all seems like gibberish, right? The fact is, language does change from generation to generation, at least to some degree. This may be more true today than ever because of social media, technology, and other factors.
New words pop up so frequently that trying to keep up with it all can feel like a an exercise in futility. And yet, it's important that parents know some of the most commonly used terms. The list below is by no means complete, but knowing these words will put you ahead of the curve. And if you think we missed anything, please let us know by emailing [email protected]
# GENERAL
| WORD | MEANING |
|---|---|
| 9 | A parent is watching |
| AF | As f*ck. For example, I'm tired af |
| Basic | Used as a non-complementary way to say someone is only interested in trendy or popular things |
| Boots | Very, a lot |
| Boujee | Rich or acting rich |
| Cap | Lying |
| CD9 | Can't talk, parents are here |
| Crashy | Crazy and trashy put together. Basically, a train wreck |
| Dank | Something really good |
| Dope | Cool or awesome |
| Extra | Over the top or dramatic behavior. For example, my parents are so extra |
| FFS | For f*cks sake |
| Finna | Going to do something or intending to do something |
| Fire | Hot, trendy, amazing. Also may use, straight fire |
| GOAT | Greatest of all time |
| Gucci | Cool, good, or going well. For example, we gucci right now |
| Ghost | Ignore someone on purpose. For example, she's totally ghosting me |
| Hangry | Hungry and angry put together |
| Heard | To have a deep understanding of a topic being discussed |
| I'm dead | laughing so hard you're "dying" |
| Left me on read | When someone on Snapchat opens your snap and doesn't snap back |
| Lit | Cool or amazing |
| LMIRL | Let's meet in real life |
| Low key | Keep it quiet; don't tell others |
| No cap | For real. Not a lie |
| OG | The original. Original gangster |
| OMG | Oh my god |
| Periodt | End of statement with real emphasis, stronger than ending with a regular period |
| POS | Parents over shoulder |
| Requestion | Request and question mashed together. To question again |
| Salty | Angry or bitter. For example, why was she being so salty to you? |
| Shook | Shaken by something or some news |
| Sic/Sick | Cool, sweet |
| Sip tea | Mind your own business |
| Skurt | Go away or to leave |
| Slay | Being awesome at something. For example, he slayed that guitar solo |
| Snatched | Looks good, perfect, or fashionable |
| Swell | To work out, often to try and look bigger |
| Swole | Looking big, buff, usually from working out |
| TBH | To be honest |
| Tea | Gossip, news. For example, what's the tea from last week? |
| Thicc | Looking good in your skin regardless of your size of shape |
| Thirsty | When someone shows a lot of attention to another person they're attracted to, usually because they're interested in having sex with the person |
| Tope | Tight and dope put together. For example, that song is so tope |
| Yeet | A highly expressive word used to convey excitement, approval, surprise, etc. It's often used when throwing something (an object, ball, etc.) |
| YOLO | You only live once. Usually used ironically |
# RELATIONSHIPS
| WORD | MEANING |
|---|---|
| Bae | Babe, boyfriend or girlfriend. Also, before anyone else |
| Basic | Boring, average, unoriginal |
| BF/GF | boyfriend or girlfriend. These are generally used in text messages only |
| BFF | Best friends forever |
| Bruh | Gender neutral way of saying bro, dude. May refer to anyone, including parents, as bruh |
| Curve | Reject someone romantically |
| DTF | Down to f*ck |
| Emo | Someone considered emotional or likes lots of drama. Often overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst. There's also a certain style characterized by dyed black hair, tight t-shirts and skinny jeans, etc. |
| Fam | Group of friends |
| Flex | Showing off |
| Karen | A disparaging way to refer to a middle-aged woman who is rude, especially as it pertains to race and/or cultural |
| Noob/n00b | Someone who is new at something or doesn't know what they're doing |
| Ship | Associated with relationships. When people are shipped, it means they should be in a relationship |
| Simp | A guy who will do anything for a hot woman |
| Snack | A way to refer to a very attractive woman or man |
| Snatched | Means something that has been obtained. For example, I wanna snatch Joe |
| Squad | Group of friends that hang out together regularly. Sometimes used ironically |
| Sus | Suspicious, shady, can't be trusted. For example, he's acting really sus |
| Throw shade | To give someone a dirty look |
| Tight | Close friend or relationship |
| Tool | Someone who's rude, obnoxious, or embarrasses themselves |
# DRUGS/SEX
| WORD | MEANING |
|---|---|
| 420 | Marijuana |
| 53X | Sex, get together to have sex |
| Avocado | A person who is socially construed as straight but is actually gay |
| Crunk | Getting high and drunk at the same time |
| CU46 | See you for sex |
| Dayger | Partying during the day or having a day rager |
| Down in the DM | Let's someone know there's info about an upcoming sexual hook-up in their social media, DMs, or texts |
| Function/Func | Party |
| GNOC | Get naked on camera. For example, GNOC for me |
| Kick back | small or laid back party |
| Molly | Ecstacy (MDMA), the party drug |
| Netflix and chill | Invitation to come over and have sex |
| NIFOC | Naked in front of computer |
| OC/Open crib | No parents are home. Also used to indicate being at a party where there are no parents |
| Rager | Big party |
| Smash | To have casual sex |
| Sloshed | To be drunk |
| The Plug | The person who supplies the drugs and/or alcohol |
| Throw down | Throw a party |
| Turnt | To be high or drunk (used to be known as "turnt up") |
| WTTP | Want to trade photos. Often a way to suggest/get nude photos |
| Wocky Slush | A drink made by mixing cough syrup with codeine and Sprite, then put into the freezer to get a slushy consistency |
| X | Ecstacy |
# EMOJI SLANG
| WORD | MEANING |
|---|---|
| 💯 | Stamp of approval, total agreement |
| 🍑 | Butt, round butt |
| 👻 | To be ghosted or dumped without explanation |
| 🍒 | Breasts, testicles, or virginity |
| 🤤 | Desiring someone sexually. Sometimes in response to nude photos |
| 💦 | Ejaculation |
| 😈 | Feeling horny or naughty |
| 👁️👄👁️ | "It is what it is" |
| 🍃 | Marijuana, weed |
| 🍆 | Penis |
| 🧚♀️✨ | Sarcastic or mean spirited |
| 👅 | Sexually activity, especially meant to mean oral sex |
| 👉👈 | Feeling shy or nervous, usually about flirting or something sexual |
| 👌 | Sometimes meant to show support for white supremicists |
| 🌶️ | Spiciness, inappropriate, or risque content or behavior |
| 👀 | Used when sending or receiving nude pictures |
| 🔨 | Used to refer to sexual activity |
| 🌮 | Vagina |
# Tell your friends
We all need support and help at different times. If you have friends, family members, or co-workers that may benefit from Vertroos Health, please tell them about us. We want to help as many kids and families as possible. You can forward this email to them or direct them to http://vertroos.com. Thanks!
# Do you or your child need support right now?
If you or your child are in a crisis situation please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones.
- Phone: 1-800-273-8255
- Online: Click here to speak with someone now (opens new window)
If you're not in crisis but would like to connect with an online counselor (through our partnership with Betterhelp), please use one of these links: