If your child has ever said something that sounded like complete nonsense, you’re not alone. From “rizz” to “bussin’,” today’s kids and teens have developed a constantly changing vocabulary—and the slang they use can reveal more about growing up than parents might expect.
Searches for slang can offer a glimpse into the words parents and other adults are struggling to understand. The SheKnows roundup of America’s most-Googled slang shows just how much curiosity surrounds the language kids and teens use every day.
That curiosity also reflects how quickly children’s language is changing. Social media, gaming, music and online communities allow new expressions to spread rapidly, while kids can give familiar words entirely new meanings.
Some of the most highly searched slang terms include “6-7,” which, unfortunately for parents, holds no meaning whatsoever, as well as “chud,”(an annoying, unpleasant, or rude individual), and “rizz,” a shortened form of charisma that refers to one’s ability to charm and attract others. Rounding out the list are “larper,” AKA someone pretending to be something they are not; “glazing,” which refers to overly flattering or sucking up to someone; and “ate,” used when someone performs or accomplishes something like an absolute boss.
Why Slang Can Be Good for Developing Brains
Parents may roll their eyes when they hear the latest slang, but linguist Michael Adams argues that creative language can actually stimulate the brain. Writing for Oxford University Press, Adams explains that unexpected uses of language can make the brain more active rather than simply causing confusion.
Adams describes slang as language that helps establish group identity and allows people to communicate differently depending on who they’re with. “Slang keeps your mind nimble,” he writes, arguing that unusual language requires listeners to think about meaning and context.
For kids, that flexibility can be part of learning how language works. Understanding when a word has a literal meaning, a humorous meaning or a meaning shared only by a particular group requires creativity, context and social awareness.
5 Slang Words Parents Should Know
Understanding the rapidly evolving lingo kids use can help parents stay connected and better interpret their daily conversations. While some slang terms are repurposed classics or shorthand acronyms, many stem organically from the social platforms where teens communicate today. To help bridge the communication gap, here are a few of the latest trending words your kids and their friends are using.
Rizz: Charm or the ability to attract or flirt with someone.
Aura: A person’s perceived coolness, confidence or presence, while “aura points” are imaginary points gained or lost based on behavior.
Cooked: Being exhausted, finished or in serious trouble.
Mid: Something considered average, disappointing or not particularly impressive.
Standing on business: Following through on your responsibilities or confidently backing up what you’ve said. Gabb’s continually updated slang guide notes that meanings can vary by culture, location and context, so parents shouldn’t assume every use has exactly the same meaning.
