Ever feel lost in a room full of “yeet“s and “lit“s? Gen Alpha, the generation born after 2010, has a whole new vocabulary that can leave even the trendiest person feeling out of the loop.
Hop on as we uncover if this new Generation passed the vibe check! 🤫
What Happened To The New Generation, Gen Alpha?
Gen Alpha’s young lives were profoundly shaped by the coronavirus, which caused many of them to spend their formative years in varying levels of lockdown and isolation.
For example, the phrase “no cap,” which means “no lie” or “no exaggeration.” This phrase has become a staple in Gen Alpha’s vocabulary, often used to emphasize the truth or authenticity of a statement. 🤷♀️
The digital environment has also contributed to the evolution of Gen Alpha slang. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have created a space for young people to share and discover new words and phrases.
The conciseness and visual nature of these platforms have led to the rise of “meme-like” slang terms that are short, catchy, and easily shareable.
New Generation Means New Slangs, So Keep Up!
Every generation develops its unique way for groups to create a sense of belonging and express themselves uniquely.
For Gen Alphas, the digital environment plays a huge role in shaping their identity, from social media acronyms to online gaming terms, their slang reflects their unique upbringing.
Their slang is distinct from previous generations, with words and phrases that are often playful, humorous, and, at times, nonsensical. 😶
Gen Alpha Slang Dictionary You Never Knew You Need. Oof.
Let’s break the code! Here’s a breakdown of some common Gen Alpha slang terms, with a mix of older terms that are still popular and newer terms you might not have heard yet:
Sigma: You can use Sigma to describe someone as “cool”
Skibidi: Pronounced as skee-bee-dee, this term comes from a series of videos created by Alexey Gerasimov used to describe someone or a certain action that they are doing that is comedic or up to no good.
Mewing: An action that one does to have a sharper jawline momentarily. It’s uncomfortable. 😐
Looksmaxing: It’s how someone is attempting to improve their looks through the means of skincare, styling, and makeup.
Cooked/cooking: to be in trouble/ excelling in something. “Oop, she’s cooked!”
Ohio: This term refers to a weird secluded place. “Only in Ohio”
+/- 1000 aura: describing something that someone said or did that emits positive/negative energy.
Finesse: A skilful way of doing something.
NPC (Non-playable character): To be socially awkward.
Giving: Very good vibes.
Mid: Average.
Fanum Tax: This was named after a YouTuber who started taxing friends who took bites off his food. This means the act of stealing a part of someone’s food
Ratio’d: To garner more dislikes/comments than likes. It likely means that you got ratio’d
Goat: It means that something/someone is the greatest of all time.
Galvanized steel: We will be writing an article to cover this, watch this space!
PS: Nope we are not Gen Alphas, I’m not sure if I fully understand this slang, Lol. 😅
TikTok Largely Contributed To Shaping Gen Alpha Slangs
Source: TIkTok
TikTok, in particular, has played a significant role in popularizing Gen Alpha slang, the platform’s use of short-form video format and focus on creativity and humour creates a space where young people can express themselves however they want.
Beyond Social Media: The Cultural Significance of Gen Alpha Slang
Believe it or not, social media platforms aren’t the only reason Gen Alpha slang has been popularised.
Gen Alpha’s use of slang is highly reflective of their cultural values and experiences whereby growing up in a digital era meant that this generation is more connected and globally aware than any other generation.
Gen Alpha’s slang is a reflection of this global connectivity, with words and phrases that often blend different cultural influences and languages.
Bridging the Communication Gap Goes A Long Way
Being open to understanding Gen Alpha slang goes beyond simply fostering communication. It’s a bridge to their world. It can be fun even if it doesn’t make any sense. So give it a go!
However, don’t try too hard, or else a Gen Alpha will label you as skibidi! 🥴
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