I love words, and every generation has its own secret language that distinguishes it from other generations. Baby Boomers used phrases like “flip a wig” and referred to the television as the “boob tube.” Gen Xers told you to take a chill pill when you got worked up, and millennials would call something “sus” if it looked suspicious. Gen Zers and the rising Gen Alphas are no different.
If you spend time around middle and high school-age kids, you may have heard the odd phrase “skibidi toilet.” Yes, you read that correctly. So, what on earth does it mean? It’s a reference to a YouTube kids show named Skibidi Toilet. The term is used as a random reference, meaning bad or weird. It is also used as a filler word that means, well, nothing at all. For example, someone might express their bewilderment about something and say, “What in the skibidi is going on here?”
Parenting teens is an interesting adventure. Here is a quick cheat sheet to help you decode a few of teenagers' most-used words and phrases.
- Bruh: bro (short for brother) but can be used to address anyone.
- Cap: a lie or false statement.
- Rizz: short for charisma.
- Bussin’: exceptionally good and flavorful. Often used to describe food.
- Sigma: often refers to a self-assured man. Can also be used as a nonsense word and can accompany skibidi.
- Ate: slang for eaten, but often used metaphorically to describe someone's impressive performance.
- It’s giving: You can throw this one into conversation to describe a person or thing's style, vibe, or mood.
- Salty: describes being in a bad mood, irritated, bitter, or resentful.
I wish you well as you decipher the new generation’s slang. Keep communication open and enjoy the conversation.
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