From 'bussin' to 'skibidi': Navigating Gen Z's unique vocabulary
By Greg SullivanJuly 23 2024, Updated 3:25 p.m. ET
Navigating Gen Z slang can be as dizzying as keeping pace with the latest trends. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back. Inspired by Philip Lindsay’s energetic Instagram video, which has captivated nearly 15 million viewers, we’ve put together a guide to the most up-to-date Gen Z terms. If you find yourself perplexed by frequent mentions of "skibidi" or curious about the sudden influx of "Ws" in the chat, this guide is for you.
And before you judge, remember the days when you told people to "talk to the hand" because they were "bogus," or suggested "chill pills" to those who were too "gnarly" and not "radical" enough.
Bussin (adj): /ˈbʌsɪn/
Used to describe something that’s really good or enjoyable.
Example: “This pizza is bussin.”
Cringe (adj): /krɪndʒ/
A slang term that describes the feeling of secondhand embarrassment, discomfort, or awkwardness in response to someone’s actions, behavior, or words.
Example: “Dad, you're writing a Megaphone article about Gen Z slang? So cringe!”
Delulu (adj): /dəˈluːluː/
Short for delusional. Often used to describe someone who is out of touch with reality or overly optimistic about something unlikely.
Example: “He thinks he’s going to win the lottery, he’s totally delulu.”
"If everyone does this we can unalive this slang, no cap."
Eat it up and leave no crumbs (verb phrase): /iːt ɪt ʌp ənd liːv noʊ krʌmz/
To do something exceptionally well.
Example: “She delivered that presentation so perfectly; she ate it up and left no crumbs.”
Lowkey (adv): /ˌloʊˈkiː/
Something done quietly or secretly.
Example: “I lowkey love watching reality TV.”
Major L (noun): /ˈmeɪdʒər ɛl/
A significant loss or failure.
Example: “Forgetting to study for the test was a major L.”
"Why do I understand all of this?! 😂🤣😭 Parent problems I guess."
Math ain't math’n (verb phrase): /mæθ eɪnt ˈmæθən/
When something doesn’t make sense or add up.
Example: “I tried to follow the instructions, but the math just ain't math’n.”
Millennial-coded (adj): /mɪˈlɛniəl koʊdɪd/
A playful term used by Gen Z to describe someone who exhibits traits or behaviors typical of millennials.
Example: “She still uses Facebook, she's so millennial-coded.”
No cap (phrase): /noʊ kæp/
Used to emphasize that someone is being truthful.
Example: “That movie was amazing, no cap.”
No crumbs (verb phrase): /noʊ krʌmz/
See "Eat it up and leave no crumbs."
"Do they really say 'fax no printer'? 😂 Do they know what a fax is???"
No printer (phrase): /noʊ ˈprɪntər/
Used to affirm that something is factual.
Example: “No printer, just the fax (facts).”
Ohio (noun): /oʊˈhaɪ.oʊ/
Used to describe something strange, uncool, or generally negative. Originates from memes portraying Ohio as an eerie place where bizarre events occur.
Example: "That party was so weird, it was pure Ohio."
On God (phrase): /ɔn ɡɑd/
A phrase used to emphasize sincerity or truthfulness.
Example: “On God, I didn’t eat your leftovers.”
Opps (noun): /ɑps/
Short for opponents, referring to people you dislike or are in competition with.
Example: “Stay away from my opps list this year.”
"Sadly, I comprehended every single word of this."
Pick me (adj): /pɪk mi/
A term for someone who seeks attention or validation by doing things to stand out.
Example: “Using your phone in class is giving pick me vibes.”
Pookie (noun): /ˈpuːki/
A term of endearment, often used playfully to refer to a friend or significant other.
Example: “Just ask your Pookie for a charger.”
Real (adj): /rɪəl/
Being genuine or sincere.
Example: “Be real in class, don’t fake it.”
"Ask your pookie for a charger. 😂😂😂"
Rizz (noun): /rɪz/
Short for charisma, often used to describe someone's ability to attract others romantically.
Example: “He’s got major rizz.”
Sigma (adj): /ˈsɪɡmə/
Someone who is self-reliant and doesn’t conform to societal expectations.
Example: “Be Sigma and have your Chromebook charged.”
Skibidi (adj): /ˈskɪbɪdi/
Originating from the Skibidi Toilet YouTube series, this term has evolved to mean something bad or evil in Gen Alpha slang.
Example: “That prank was totally skibidi.”
Slay (verb): /sleɪ/
To excel at something or look amazing.
Example: “You slayed that outfit.”
Unalive (adj): /ʌnəˈlaɪv/
A euphemistic term for something that’s not working or is dead. The term "unalive" gained traction as a way to avoid algorithmic censorship of words like "kill" and "die" on social media platforms. It is often used humorously to describe inanimate objects that have ceased functioning or, in a more dramatic tone, to refer to fictional or hypothetical scenarios of death.
Example: “My Chromebook decided to unalive itself.”
W (noun): /dʌbəlju/
Short for win.
Example: “Let’s make sure you get a W in the chat.”
Yeet (verb): /jiːt/
To throw something with force or enthusiasm.
Example: “Yeet that phone into your backpack.”
This article was written with assistance from artificial intelligence. Megaphone creates content primarily driven by people but aims for full transparency in how our storytelling is produced. To learn more about our policy on artificial intelligence, click here.