Almost everyone uses slang without thinking much about it. According to Preply, 94% of Americans use slang at least occasionally, and more than half say they use it in most conversations. At the same time, half admit they’ve used slang they didn’t actually understand.
Every generation leaves its mark on the way people speak. Baby Boomers gave us words like “groovy.” Gen X popularized terms like “chill” and “totally.” Gen Z has taken slang in a different direction, with much of it spreading through TikTok, Instagram, online gaming, and social media.
Some people enjoy keeping up with the latest expressions. Others find them confusing, overused, or just plain annoying. Here are some of the Gen Z phrases that often get the strongest reactions.
“Rizz”
One of the most recognizable Gen Z words is “rizz.” It’s short for charisma and usually describes someone who’s naturally confident or good at flirting.
If someone says, “He’s got rizz,” they mean the person has an easy way with people and knows how to win others over.
For those unfamiliar with the term, it can sound strange at first, especially since the meaning isn’t obvious from the word itself.
Related: 18 American Phrases That Confuse Foreigners
“Lowkey / Highkey”
These two words are used to describe different levels of excitement or emotion.
“Lowkey” usually means you’re feeling something without making a big deal about it. Someone might say, “I’m lowkey excited for the concert,” meaning they’re looking forward to it but aren’t overly enthusiastic.
“Highkey” means the exact opposite. Saying, “I’m highkey obsessed with this show,” tells everyone you’re openly excited about it.
People who don’t use these expressions often wonder why someone doesn’t just say they’re excited or not.
Related: 20 Millennial Phrases That Have Become Clichés
“Bet”
“Bet” has roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has become one of the most common ways younger people agree with someone.
Instead of saying “okay,” “sounds good,” or “I’ll be there,” someone may simply reply, “Bet.”
The word is quick and easy, but its shortness can come across as abrupt to people who aren’t used to hearing it.
“Doomscrolling”
Most people have experienced doomscrolling at least once, even if they didn’t know there was a word for it.
The term describes endlessly scrolling through upsetting news or negative social media posts without being able to stop. According to Pew Research, about two-thirds of Americans say they feel worn out by the amount of news they see.
The phrase became especially popular around 2020 and has stayed in everyday conversation ever since.
Related: 20 British Words and Phrases That Completely Confuse Americans
“Touch Grass”
Originally popular in online gaming communities, “touch grass” is basically another way of telling someone to step away from the internet and spend time in the real world.
It usually appears during online arguments when someone seems overly invested in a debate or spends too much time behind a screen.
Spending time outdoors has been linked to better physical and mental well-being, but the phrase itself often comes across as dismissive or sarcastic, which is why it rubs many people the wrong way.
Related: 18 Gaslighting Phrases That May Be Sabotaging Your Relationships
“Shook”
If someone says they’re “shook,” they mean they’re shocked, surprised, or emotionally rattled by something that happened.
The expression came from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) before becoming widely used on social media in the mid-2010s. Today, it’s used for everything from surprising plot twists to unexpected celebrity news.
Some people feel it’s become a catch-all word that gets used so often it loses its impact.
Related: 18 Warning-Sign Phrases That Can Turn Healthy Relationships Toxic
“Snatched”
Calling someone “snatched” is meant as a compliment. It usually refers to someone looking especially stylish, well-dressed, or put together.
The word has roots in drag culture, where it described a flawless appearance. You might hear someone say, “That outfit is snatched,” after seeing a particularly polished look.
For people hearing it for the first time, though, it can sound more like an insult than praise because of its literal meaning.
“Sus”
“Sus” is simply a shortened version of “suspicious.”
The word exploded in popularity during the online game Among Us, where players tried to figure out who among the group was secretly sabotaging everyone else. Since then, it’s become part of everyday slang.
Today, someone might say, “That sounds sus,” to suggest something seems questionable or doesn’t add up.
For people unfamiliar with the term, hearing everyday things described as “sus” without any explanation can be confusing.
Related: 20 Phrases That Will Put Rude People Instantly in Their Place
“Girl Dinner”
“Girl Dinner” became a viral trend on TikTok and usually refers to a meal made up of snacks instead of a traditional lunch or dinner.
It might include crackers, cheese, fruit, olives, leftovers, or whatever happens to be in the refrigerator. The hashtag has generated billions of views as people shared their own versions.
The trend has also received criticism. Some writers and health experts worry it can encourage unhealthy eating habits or reinforce stereotypes about women’s eating behaviors.
“Girl Math”
“Girl Math” describes the humorous logic people sometimes use to justify spending money.
For example, someone might convince themselves that returning an item means they’ve “made” money or that using cash somehow doesn’t count as spending.
The phrase became another viral TikTok trend, but it has also drawn criticism. Many people feel it reinforces old stereotypes that women are bad with money or struggle with math, even when it’s intended as a joke.
“Yeet”
“Yeet” first became popular through Vine videos in the mid-2010s before spreading across social media.
At its simplest, it means to throw something with force. Someone tossing a ball across a room while shouting “Yeet!” is using it exactly as intended.
The word has also been used to express excitement or celebration. While many people still find it funny, others feel it’s one of those expressions that has been repeated far too often.
“Fax No Printer”
“Fax no printer” is another internet-born expression that means someone is telling the truth.
It’s another way of saying, “That’s a fact,” or “You’re absolutely right.”
You might see someone post, “Hard work pays off. Fax no printer.”
For people outside social media culture, the phrase often sounds confusing because there’s no obvious connection between printers and telling the truth.
“Finna”
“Finna” comes from the phrase “fixing to,” which has been part of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) for generations. It’s used to say that someone is about to do something.
You might hear someone say, “I’m finna grab some lunch,” or “I’m finna head home.”
The phrase has become much more common online, especially on TikTok and other social media platforms. While many younger people use it naturally, others feel it sounds out of place in everyday conversation and prefer more familiar phrases like “about to.”
“Bussin'”
If someone describes food as “bussin’,” they’re saying it tastes really good.
The term also comes from AAVE and spread widely through TikTok videos featuring restaurant reviews, recipes, and food trends.
You might hear someone take a bite of pizza and say, “This is bussin’.”
Not everyone is a fan of the expression, though. A 2023 Preply survey found that 21% of parents listed it as one of the slang terms they disliked the most.
“Cap”
“Cap” means a lie, while “no cap” means someone is telling the truth.
The expression has been part of hip-hop culture for years before becoming mainstream through social media. Today, it’s common to hear someone respond with, “That’s cap,” if they think a story sounds exaggerated or false.
Others might say “no cap” before making a statement to stress that they’re being completely honest.
Some people find the phrase fun and easy to use, while others feel it makes conversations sound more dismissive than they need to be. According to Preply, 14% of parents say “cap” is one of the Gen Z expressions they dislike most.
