Are you all that? As if. If those phrases strike a chord, you probably grew up in the 90s. Every generation has its slang, which usually leaves parents in the dark as to what their kids are talking about. That’s kind of the point of slang. Kids, especially teens, invent their own sayings and phrases to convey meaning only they understand. Thanks to social media and texting, slang terms are much more prevalent, with usage starting younger.
If it seems like slang words are evolving faster than you can keep up, well, you’re right. That’s again courtesy of social media and memes, along with the fact that tweens and teens are attached to their cell phones. Now, as a parent, you may want to be chill, but it’s important to keep up with the new slang words your kids are using and what they mean. Of course, that may not always be rad to your kids, and neither is recycling 90s slang when talking to them. So, let’s get you updated on what the kids are saying these days.
New slang words
Hearing and seeing unfamiliar slang words may make you feel old, but take heart. Slang isn’t only for teens. By definition, it’s a way to separate yourself. Tweens and teens use slang words to differentiate themselves from the adults in their lives.
Knowing what they’re talking about gives parents a window into what’s going on in their world, which is important because the more teens push away, the more they need a guiding force in their lives. Here’d your go-to list of popular slang words with kids, tweens, and teens in 2024.
Common slang words
- AF – means f*** and is used to highlight something
- A mood or mood – means you can relate to what someone is talking about
- Ate – to be successful at something
- ASL – abbreviation for “age-sex-location”
- Aura points – describes how cool or uncool a person is
- Bae – before anyone else, can refer to a person’s crush or significant other
- Banger – something that’s very cool, like an awesome goal or a new hit song
- Basic – used to describe someone as boring or uninteresting
- Bet – used as an affirmative response like OK, yes, or let’s go
- Bruh – gender-neutral term like the 90s dude
- Cap – a lie
- CEO – means to be good at something, like Sue is the CEO on the soccer field
- Cringe – describes something someone did as childish or embarrassing
- Cursed – often used to describe online images as weird or creepy
- Curve – to reject a romantic interest
- Dead – means something was extremely amusing
- Delulu -a shortened version of delusional
- Dope – something that is amazing or super cool
- Drip – having an awesome sense of style
- Emo – person who is withdrawn and often dresses all in black; can also refer to someone who likes drama
- Fam – group of friends
- FINSTA – fake Instagram teens often set up to keep parents from seeing their actual one
- Flex – to show off in front of people
- Ghost or ghosted – to end a relationship or friendship by completely ending all communication
- Goals – what you want to accomplish or achieve
- GOAT – greatest of all time
- GTG – abbreviation for “got to go”
- Gucci – cool or stylish
- High key – to be really interested
- IRL – abbreviation for “in real life”
- No cap – not a lie
- Noob – someone who is new or awful at something
- OK Boomer – response meaning something is out of date
- Pop off – get angry
- Rizz – comes from charisma and means a person has game
- Sic or sick – Amazing or awesome
- Ship – shortened version or relationship
- Simp – someone who goes overboard for a person they like
- Snack – good-looking person
- Spam – refers to fraudulent or fake social media profile
- Spill the tea – dish the gossip
- Sus – short for suspicious
- Tea – gossip or dirt
- Throw shade – another term for trash-talking
- Trap phone – refers to a burner or older phone parents may not know kids have
- Zaddy – a hot guy (could be any age)
Slang words to be wary of
As tweens and teens get older, they’re exposed to more and more. These slang words are ones you should be aware of to avoid possible unsafe situations your kids may find themselves in.
- Body count – used to identify how many people someone has slept with
- Dayer – a party held during the day
- CU46 – abbreviation for “see you for sex”
- 53X – abbreviation for “sex”
- Function or func – refers to a party
- Kick back – means a small party
- KMS – abbreviation for “kill myself”
- KYS – abbreviation for “kill yourself”
- Low key – means you’re sort of interested; can also be used if you want to keep something secret
- Mid – often used as an insult to describe something or someone as being not great
- Molly – term for the ecstasy drug
- Plug – drug supplier
- Rager – a huge party
- Smash – casual sex
- Sloshed – intoxicated
- Thirsty – looking for sex
- Throw down – to have a party
- Turnt – high or intoxicated
- WTTP – abbreviation for “want to trade photos”
- LMIRL – abbreviation for “let’s meet in real life”
If your head is spinning with all the new slang words, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many parents are in the same boat when it comes to navigating the uncertain world of tweens and teens. Knowledge is power, though, and as a parent having all the information you can is helpful when trying to understand your kids as well as knowing when they may be in trouble. So, don’t take a chill pill when it comes to your children. Being in the know with new slang words is a helpful tool. This list is also only the tip of the iceberg, because slang words are always changing. So, be sure to stay high key.
