The Boomer’s Guide to the Gen Z Vocabulary

The days of “lol” and “wtf” are long gone. Each new generation comes up with its own special language; phrases and words that only the young and hip know about and are comfortable using. Feeling lost among the Gen Z slang? OK boomer, here are the basics.

Adulting = Completing a task that is associated with adults such as paying bills, getting insurance, etc.
Example: “I can’t decide if I should pay rent or eat meals this week. Adulting is so hard.”

Aesthetic = Relating to something that looks good or is pleasing to the eye.
Example: “This flower arrangement totally matches my aesthetic.”

And I oop = Lighthearted expression used when making a rather insignificant mistake. Strongly associated with VSCO girls (see further down).
Example: *drops phone on the ground* “And I oop!”

Basic = Mainstream, like everyone else, usually in a negative connotation.
Example: “Pumpkin spice lattes are so basic.”

Beat = The act of aggressively applying makeup.
Example: “She really beat that bronzer on.”

Bop = A really good song.
Example: “Cornelia Street by Taylor Swift is such a bop.”

Bread = Money, typically used in reference to a paycheck.
Example: “Let’s get this bread.”

Cap = Something that’s considered false or an outright lie. Most commonly used in the phrase “no cap,” which means “no lie.”
Example: “They are the best PR agency ever – no cap.”

CEO [of x] = Being the absolute best at something. Can be used both seriously and ironically.
Example: “Cristina Yang is CEO of comic relief.”

Clout = Social media fame and influence.
Example: “Addison Raw has hella clout.”

Extra = Over the top, unnecessarily dramatic.
Example: “My mom is so extra – she works out at 4:45 every morning.”

Fire = Really good, with a very strong emphasis.
Example: “This spinach and artichoke dip is fire!”

Fit = Short for outfit.
Example: “Her fit was serving looks.”

Flex = To show off. Often used in the expression “weird flex but ok,” which refers to when people are showing off something irrelevant or strange.
Example: “I’m really good at vacuuming, sorry to flex.”

FOMO = Fear of missing out.
Example: “If I don’t go to that party I’ll get major FOMO.”

FYP = For You Page; it’s the feed you get when you open TikTok.
Example: “I saw the funniest video on my FYP.”

Fr = Short for “for real.”
Example: “I was getting mad about it, fr.”

Ghosting = When someone stops communicating with another person out of the blue.
Example: “I went on a few dates with him, but I think he’s ghosting me.”

Glow up = Upgrade in terms of appearance. Like “grow up,” but not referring to age.
Example: “She had such a glow up last year.“

GOAT = Greatest of all time.
Example: “Taylor Swift is the GOAT.”

Highkey = Obviously, proudly, openly.
Example: “I highkey love Harry Potter.”

Hits different = Used to describe something that stands out from the rest or makes you feel different compared to other things.
Example: “Drinking a mimosa at brunch hits different.”

Leaving someone on read = Not replying to someone’s messages and thus ignoring them.
Example: “I wasn’t really interested, so I left him on read.”

Lowkey = Slightly, secretly, modestly.
Example: “I lowkey have a crush on him.”

Mood = The meaning is the same, but the usage is different. A one-word caption to say that you feel the same way as whatever you’re referring to.
Example: “That dog is such a mood.”

OK boomer = Dismissing someone who is acting too old fashioned or not up to date.
Example: “Your generation doesn’t know how to work hard.” “OK boomer.”

Quaking = Shocked, appalled. Most often used to describe something in relation to someone famous in the field of what you’re talking about.
Example: “My casserole is a disaster. The Barefoot Contessa is quaking rn.”

Receipts = Proof, usually in the form of screenshots.
Example: “I know he’s cheating on me and I’ve got receipts.”

Rn = Short for “right now.”
Example: “I could go for a nap rn.”

Roast = To humorously mock or humiliate someone with a well-timed joke, diss or comeback.
Example: “He tried to make fun of her but she roasted him.”

Rt = Short for retweet. Means that you agree with something.
Example: “Omg yes! Rt.”

Salty = Jealous, bitter, upset, irritated.
Example: “She’s salty because all of her friends are getting engaged and she’s still single.”

Shook = Shocked.
Example: “I am shook.”

Slaps = Something is really good. Can be used to describe anything.
Example: “Taylor Swift’s music slaps. This food slaps.”

Slay = Doing a great job or being really cool. Can be used in general or for specific things.
Example: “I’m slaying life right now.”

Ship = Used in terms of fans appreciating celebrity, fictional or wanted romances.
Example: “I shipped Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone so hard.”

SMH = Abbreviation for “shaking my head.”
Example: “SMH, people are still misusing there, their and they’re.”

Snack = A good-looking person.
Example: “You’re looking like a snack today!”

Sip tea = To listen to gossip.
Example: “I’m just sitting here, sipping the tea.”

Spill the tea = To (spread) gossip.
Example: “You’ll never believe who texted me last night.” “Omg, spill the tea!”

Sus = Short for suspicious.
Example: “He’s been totally sus lately.”

Stan = An obsessed fan. Can be sed both as a noun and a verb.
Example: “I’m an Andrew Garfield stan. We stan him.”

TBH = Abbreviation for “to be honest.”
Example: “TBH you’re like a sister to me.”

TFW = Abbreviation for “that feeling when.”
Example: “TFW you’re ready for the weekend but it’s only Monday.”

Thicc = A curvy or large body part, always used in a positive connotation.
Example: “He’s always wanted a thicc girlfriend.”

Vibe = A distinctive emotional atmosphere; sensed intuitively.
Example: “It gave off a nostalgic vibe. That place gives off bad vibes.”

VSCO Girl = A style that typically includes scrunchies, oversized t-shirts, Crocs or Birkenstocks, Hydroflasks, those black rubber chokers from the early 2000s and being passionate about saving the turtle by using metal straws. These girls are grouped together by the mutual photo editing on the app VSCO.
Example: “I like scrunchies and oversized t-shirts, but I wouldn’t call myself a VSCO girl.”

Yeet = To throw something very hard. Can also be used as the sound effect of something being thrown hard.
Example: *throws something* “YEET!”

Bonus: Putting “~” around words to symbolize being cute, sweet and innocent.
Example: ” ~live laugh love~ “

That pretty much sums up Gen Z. Still confused? I’d be surprised if you weren’t. Hang in there, boomer!