When I first started teaching, I let my students pick their team names for an activity we were doing in class. One team chose “Netflix and Chill” as a team name. I loved it. I got excited when they announced their team name and responded, “I love to Netflix and chill! My husband and I Netflix and chill every night!” The class erupted. They laughed immediately and collectively—the kind of laughter that I love. This time, I knew that I had obviously said something inappropriate. So, I did what you do to diffuse an awkward moment and started river dancing. With the help of Urban Dictionary, I learned that “Netflix and chill” did not mean what I thought it meant. I decided I would refrain from incorporating teen slang into my lessons until I was certain I knew what it meant.
Whether you are a parent or teacher, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned so that you can decode teen slang conversations around you or maybe even throw some teen slang into your classroom instruction and join me in the Cringiest Teacher of All club.
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Teen Slang Classroom Posters
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General Teen Slang
1. Demure
Reserved, modest, shy (Based on “very mindful, very demure” TikTok trend)
Example
“Does this shirt make me look very mindful, very demure? I thought the bows helped.”
2. Rizz
Your ability to flirt, to charm guys or girls effortlessly
Example
Student 1: “Who are you taking to homecoming this weekend?”
Student 2: “You know I’ve got a lot of options because I’ve got mad rizz.”
3. Bussin
Very good (usually refers to food)
Example
Student: “This McFrappe is bussin.”
4. Sigma
An independent, lone wolf with a strong will
Example
“I’m so sigma, I won every Kahoot we played in English class.”
5. Cap
You’re lying. That’s not true.
Example
Teacher: “We have a quiz today.”
Student: “That’s cap.”
Teacher: “No cap, we have a quiz today.”
Student: “That’s kizzy cap.”
Teacher: “No, it is not kizzy cap. We have a quiz today.”
6. Cooked
I will not defeat this. I will not survive this (bad grade, paper, exam, etc.).
Example
“We have a quiz today? I’m cooked.”
7. Drip
Clothing, shoes, accessories
Example
Student: “Love the drip today.”
Teacher: “Thank you. I got it on sale at Target.”
8. Slay
You are doing an excellent job.
Example
Teacher: “What do you need in your body paragraphs to support your reasons?”
Student: “Evidence?”
Teacher: “Slay.”
9. Lowkey
An opinion that you’re trying to be subtle about
Example
Student: “Lowkey, I actually like the school buffalo chicken dip.”
Student: “The buffalo chicken dip smacks.”
10. Smacks
An indication that something is very good
Example
Student: “The buffalo chicken dip smacks.”
Going over the top
Example
Student: *sees Valentine’s Day headband on my head* “Mrs. Naumoff, why you gotta be so extra today?”
12. Tea
Fresh gossip
Example
Student 1: “Can I spill the tea for you?”
Student 2: “Not unless it’s piping hot tea.”
Student 1: “This is the freshest tea.”
Student 2: “Spill.”
13. Skibidi
A nonsense word that is usually paired with “toilet” and can act as an adjective describing something that is very good or very bad.
Example
“Lowkey, this test is skibidi toilet.”
14. Aura points
Similar to your vibe, you can earn them when you’re doing something Gen Z considers worthy, but you can also lose them. (I lose them every time I adopt their vocabulary into my lessons. I’m probably at negative 10,000 aura points and the school year is only halfway through.)
Example
“You brought us Christmas cookies? You get 10,000 aura points for that.”
15. Yeet
Throw something
Example
Student: *frustrated with the Chromebook* “Can I just yeet my computer out the window?”
Teacher: “No, I am afraid you cannot throw the computer out of the window. Try turning it off and back on again. That is my go-to solution for all computer problems.”
16. Flex
Bragging about something
Example
Student 1: “I never pop my zits. I just leave them there for the world to see.”
Student 2: “Weird flex, but OK.”
17. Winter arc
The period of time when you try to become the best version of yourself
Example
“Take a good look now because after break, I’m about to hit my winter arc.”
18. Bet
OK! For sure. All right. (Usually said in response to a question or statement.)
Example
Student 1: “Meet me in the cafeteria for lunch.”
Student 2: “Bet.”
19. Sweat
A person who tries hard at something
Example
“Oh, you won Quizlet Live? Try changing your name in the game to ‘Sweat.’”
20. Gas
Really good
Example
“Did you listen to Taylor Swift’s new vault tracks? They are gas.”
21. Straight fire
Really good, better than the rest
Example
“Chris Stapleton singing ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was straight fire.”
22. Pick-me girl
A girl who constantly wants sympathy or attention (I do feel bad for this girl and this phrase, for the record. Maybe let’s find out why she is seeking out sympathy to begin with?)
Example
“That pick-me girl is complaining about how Emma treats her again.”
23. TikTok Rizz Party
A party where people are doing TikTok dances and trying to rizz each other up
Example
“Winter formal was giving TikTok Rizz Party vibes.”
24. Brain rot
Consuming too much online content to the detriment to your mental state
Example
“I’ve got brain rot from watching TikTok all day.”
25. Era
A phase that someone is in
Example
“I’m in mini-van mom era and loving every minute of it.”
26. Delulu
An abbreviated version of “delusional”
Example
“Call me delulu but I actually think that if I met Taylor Swift, we would be friends.”
27. Fein
Addicted to something
Example
“I’m feinin’ over those Bosco Sticks.”
28. Ate that
“And left no crumbs” to be used when someone does an excellent job at something.
Example
“Did you see my score on that exam? I ate that.”
29. Glazing
Overhyping something
Example
“The way he complimented her outfit felt so glazed, it was cringey to listen to.”
30. Beta
Someone who is weaker, passive, not assertive
Example
“She’s such a beta for letting him walk all over her.”
31. Cheugy
A term used by Gen-Z to describe the habits and trends of a millennial
Example
“So, are low-rise jeans cheugy or are they Gen-Z?”
32. Bruh
Stands for bro. If you interact with a teen at any point, you likely have been called this name.
Example
“Bruh, is our essay seriously due tomorrow?”
33. Hits different
Something that impacts you in a bigger way than other things
Example
“Usher’s Confession album just hits different when you watch him at the Super Bowl in your 30s.”
34. Roman Empire
What you spend a significant amount of time thinking about
Example
“My Roman Empire is Taylor Swift.”
35. Ohio
Apparently something that sucks. (Sadly, given to me by my Ohioan high school students.)
Example
“Of all my classes this year, your class is the Ohio of my schedule.”
36. It’s giving …
An expression used to compare what something looks like to something else
Example
“It’s giving ‘Troop Beverly Hills’ and I am here for it.”
37. Serving
Someone is looking really good.
Example
“Did you see her in that homecoming dress? She was serving up looks.”
38. Fanum tax
Stealing food
Example
“He fanum-taxed me an entire bag of Fritos.”
39. Emo
An emotional person
Example
“My emo playlist includes every Dashboard Confessional album.”
40. Mewing
Making your jawline look more defined by pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth
Example
“You can mew on your own time, sir. It’s time to get this paper finished.”
41. Looks maxing
Your face is really good
Example
“I spent my winter break just looks-maxing. I’m in my winter arc.”
42. High-key
Something that is obvious
Example
“High-key, I hate MLA format.”
43. Understood the assignment
An expression that means that a person understood the expectations of the event and exceeded
Example
“Whoa, I see your flapper skirt. You definitely understood the assignment for this Gatsby party.”
44. Vibe
A feeling, a look
Example
“Writing papers with Adele playing in the background is such a vibe.”
45. ____________ coded
Fill in the blank and add “coded” and it means that it is a reflection of that person
Example
“Going ax-throwing on your first date is so Theresa-coded.”
46. Knee surgery
That feeling when you are waiting for something bad
Example
“We have a math test today? Oof. Feels like knee surgery.”
47. Say less
I understand
Example
Student 1: “I stayed up until two in the morning working on this assignment because my partner did nothing.”
Student 2: “Say less, fam.”
48. Menty b
Short for “mental breakdown”
Example
“My menty b seems to pop up every third nine weeks.”
49. Baddie
Looks good, not bad
Example
“Taylor Swift is a baddie and I don’t care who disagrees.”
50. Mid
When something is subpar, less than impressive
Example
“I’m just saying, the school’s fettuccine Alfredo is mid.”
51. Let him cook
Allowing someone to continue what they are doing, not interfering
Example
The teacher told Henry to stop playing video games in class, and the students replied, “Let him cook.”
52. Girl dinner
A meal of snacks, small portions of different food, side dishes
Example
“I’m just going to eat light tonight. Instead of an entree, I’ll just have pretzel bites, breadsticks, and pot stickers—a real girl dinner.”
53. Girl math
Unconventional ways to justify a purchase
Example
Student 1: “I know these jeans were $150, but if you actually divide up the amount of money I’ve spent on them per wear, it’s like less than $1 a wear, so it’s a really good deal.”
Student 2: “That’s girl math.”
54. Main character energy
Someone who is confident, embracing their natural leadership qualities, self-assured
Example
“You’re just exuding main character energy lately and I am here for it.”
55. Lewks
A fashion moment that is very unique
Example
“Your prom dress is a full lewk.”
Teen Slang Used for Arguments
56. Touch grass
An insult usually thrown at people to remind them to get real, spend some time outside
Example
*Comedian reads comments from haters on Instagram and posts a story telling them to touch grass.*
57. Side-eye
Giving someone some negative looks
Example
Teacher hands out assignment that students have to work on.
Student gives side-eye.
Teacher says, “No need for that side-eye, you’ve got all period to get this finished.”
58. Receipts
Proof of something like texts, screenshots
Example
“I know for sure that he is talking to a new girl. I’ve got the receipts.”
59. Hot take
A controversial opinion on something
Example
“Hot take, school lunches are actually good.”
60. Pressed
Being annoyed by something
Example
“I’m pressed about how much homework we have tonight.”
61. Put on blast
To share something publicly about someone else that is most likely embarrassing
Example
“He cheated on the test! I’m putting him on blast.”
62. Rent-free
When someone is taking up space in your mind, living in your thoughts
Example
“There is a carrot cake in my fridge right now that is living rent-free in my head.”
63. Read
Pointing out someone’s flaws
Example
Student 1: “Do you realize that you always argue with people just for the sake of arguing?”
Student 2: “Oh, you just got read, sis.”
64. Left on read
Someone who can see that their text has been read but no one has responded
Example
“I messaged him last night but he left me on read.”
65. Amped
Excited
Example
“I’m amped about our class field trip!”
66. Dragged
To mock or humiliate someone
Example
“Prepared to get dragged if you come for Taylor Swift in the comments.”
67. Facts
Agreed
Example
Student 1: “I feel like if you order Chipotle online and not in person, they go light on everything.”
Student 2: “That’s facts.”
68. Heated
When someone is mad or frustrated
Example
“You don’t need to get heated just because someone beat you in euchre.”
69. Go off
When someone is venting about something and you say this to encourage them to continue their rant
Example
Student 1: “It seems like they just up the prices on everything and then call it a sale by taking 20% off when really it is the actual price.”
Student 2: “Go off.”
70. Sus
Short for “suspicious,” used to describe a person or situation
Example
Student 1: “He said that he had to stay home for dinner tonight, but when I checked his location, he was at a restaurant.”
Student 2: “That’s sus.”
71. Shook
When someone is frightened, startled, or shocked about something
Example
“I am fully shook when I walk up the basement stairs in the dark.”
72. Throw shade
To talk poorly about someone else
Example
“I heard them in the bathroom trying to throw shade about you.”
73. Salty
When someone has an attitude and is grouchy
Example
“Why are you so salty, bro? Do you need a nap?”
74. Periodt
End of the conversation, like a period but with a T for emphasis
Example
“Let Taylor Swift live. Periodt.”
Relationship Teen Slang
75. Red flag
A warning, especially when concerning a person you have romantic interest in
Example
“If he only speaks in hyperbole, that’s a red flag.”
76. Green flag
Good things, hints at positives in a potential relationship
Example
“He has a clean car? It’s a green flag for me.”
77. Beige flag
Unique things about a person who you are in a relationship with or hope to be in a relationship with; traits that are not necessarily bad or good, just ones that make you pause and think
Example
“My man’s beige flag is that he puts all hot water in the tea kettle because he thinks when we microwave it for instant oatmeal, we are ruining our bodies.”
78. Ship
Let’s make this romantic relationship happen.
Example
“Do you think the teacher put us together for this project because she’s trying to ship us?”
79. Snatched
Attractive
Example
“That outfit makes you look snatched.”
80. Snack
Someone who looks attractive
Example
Student 1: “Did you see that guy?”
Student 2: “Yeah, he’s a snack.”
Student 1: “No, that’s a whole meal.”
Teacher: *Gags*
81. A whole meal
Someone who looks extremely attractive
Example
“He’s not just a snack, he’s a whole meal!”
82. Pulling
To attract someone in a romantic way
Example
Student 1: “I pull more girls than anyone else in this room.”
Student 1’s Wingman: “Facts.”
83. Bae
“Before anyone else,” used to describe a romantic partner, like “babe”
Example
Student 1: “Remember bae? Before anyone else? Let’s bring that back.”
Student 2: “Cringe.”
84. Giving me the ick
A trait that a person possesses that causes another person to lose romantic attraction to them; an ick is the quality that makes someone else disgusted
Example
“When he says ‘cool beans,’ it gives me the ick.”
85. Rizz
Excellent flirting skills
Example
“Max has rizz. I’m just his wingman.”
86. Ghosted
Ending a relationship by abruptly not speaking to that person anymore
Example
“I’m too uncomfortable to end it with him so I’m just gonna ghost.”
87. Simp
Someone who is doing too much for someone else
Example
“He’s such a simp for his girl right now, bringing her Starbucks every day.”
88. Cringe
Behavior that is embarrassing
Example
“Mrs., can you never say ‘rizz’ again in class? You’re just too cringe to handle right now.”
Teen Slang Acronyms
89. TFW
That feeling when
Example
“TFW we get out of class early. Nothing beats it.”
90. TBF
To be fair
Example
“TBF, I did tell her that I liked someone else before she started dating him.”
91. NGL
Not gonna lie
Example
“That test was way harder than I thought it would be, NGL.”
92. FYP
For You Page on TikTok
Example
“That new trend on my FYP is taking over my whole feed.”
93. W
Win
Example
“I got a 97 on my last quiz. W!”
94. L
Loss or lose
Example
“She didn’t like your post? L.”
95. ICYMI
In case you missed it
Example
“ICYMI, I sent out a group invite for a sleepover at my house tomorrow.”
96. FR
For real
Example
“I made the BEST dinner last night. FR.”
97. RN
Right now
Example
“Come over RN!”
98. TBH
To be honest
Example
“TBH, I don’t like this science unit.”
99. IYKYK
If you know you know
Example
“The teacher was trying to use teen slang yesterday … IYKYK.”
100. IRL
In real life instead of online
Example
“I’ve seen those shoes so much on TikTok, but not so much IRL.”
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