Keeping up with the terms used from generation to generation can be a full-time job. While young people might make fun of “Boomers” and their outdated slang, they’re doing what every generation before them has done: evolving language. The Internet is just one big 7th Grade, where people are looking for the coolest kid to mimic. It’s safe to say that if you’re a Boomer, or any generation other than Gen Z for that matter, you might not know what terms the current generation is using. So, here are some slang terms from Gen Z that will help you feel not so out of the loop.
- Locking In: This term is used to describe a state of deep focus, where one completely employs all their energy toward the task at hand, without outside distractions.
- Crashing Out: If you’re not locking in, you might be crashing out, which simply means you’re having overly emotional outbursts.
- Aura Farming: This is a term for engaging in behaviors that make you gain “aura points”…….in other words, they make you look cool. That could mean performing an impressive dance move, striking a cool pose, or acting mysteriously in public.
- Unc: Short for “uncle,” this term is used to describe people older than you. When someone reaches “unc status,” they’re no longer part of the young and cool group.
- Chopped: No, this isn’t the Food Network. Chopped is used to describe someone who’s not looking their sharpest. Showing up in a wrinkly or ill-fitting outfit might make you look chopped.
- Clankers: Taken from the Star Wars’ depiction of robots and the sounds they make, “clanker” is a derogatory term used against artificial intelligence and robots.
- Looksmaxxing: From injecting Botox to changing a haircut or styling clothes differently, this phenomenon has inspired people to look for areas of their appearance in which they could be “maximizing” their attractiveness.
- Rage Bait: From social media and companies to news outlets, the Internet is now plagued with content that’s designed to enrage people, like when a TikTok user reviews a Labubu Dubai chocolate matcha Crumbl Cookie, despite Crumbl Cookie not even selling such a product.
So, if you’re navigating the world today by trying to stay relevant, just remember………. work on looksmaxxing (even if you have to utilize clankers), work on aura farming by locking in, and don’t take the rage bait. The last thing you want is to reach unc status.
