Remember Rosetta Stone, that software that teaches you a new language? It was super popular in the ’90s, and I think you can still buy it in the airport. Want to speak to your international coworkers in France? Oui, oui! Need to become fluent in Spanish in one month? Si! Learn teen slang today! Wait, what?
OK, teen slang isn’t a Rosetta Stone course, but how well do you speak it? Some of it’s harmless, but some of these words and phrases are teens’ attempts at keeping secrets. So check out this list and see how many you know.
Before we get started, I want to warn you. Don’t try to use teen slang with your kids. Just don’t. You will probably get a blank stare or an eye roll. It’s best just to stay in your lane. Besides, keeping up with the “kids these days” is nearly impossible. But if you know more teen slang than these, we’re impressed. Flex in the comments (See what I did there? Like I said, stay in your lane, Mom.).
Ate/Ate and Left No Crumbs
When someone excels at a job
“Did you see the picture Taylor drew of the sunset? Ate and left no crumbs.”
Ayo
A response when someone says something outrageous or takes something too far
BB
Another way of saying “babe” or “baby,” but usually used for friends. Pronounced “bee bee.”
Beige Flag
Something that’s neither good nor bad (like a red flag) but makes you pause for a minute when you notice it.
“My boyfriend’s beige flag is that he always moos when we drive by a pasture with cows in it.”
Bet
To say you agree; for sure, yep
“I’ll pick you up for Thea’s party at 9?”
“Bet.”
Boo’d (or booed) up
To be in a romantic relationship.
“Chase and Katie are boo’d up.”
Big Yikes
Yikes, kicked up a notch
“Big yikes! Did you see the photo Carly just posted on Instagram?”
Bussin
Awesome, great, excellent
“Mom, your lasagna is bussin.”
Cheugy
The opposite of trendy
“Mom, your Live, Laugh, Love sign is so cheugy.”
Clap Back
Same as “comeback” but edgier; responding to an insult with extra sass, attitude, or shade
“She clapped back at the haters who said she photoshopped her picture.”
Down Bad
Being so attracted to a person that you’re depressed that you’re not together
“I’m down bad for that girl. She’s so hot, but she has a boyfriend.”
Drip
Describing a nice outfit or item of clothing
“My outfit is dripping right now.”
Extra
Too much or over the top
“Chloe won’t forgive Jeremy even though he’s apologized like three times. She is being so extra.”
Fak
Another version of the f-word; generally used as an insult
Finess
To steal, snatch, or take
“Dude. Why you tryin’ to finess my Doritos?”
Finsta
Fake + Instagram; a second secret Instagram account
Usually, it’s someone’s account only open to a smaller circle of friends. It also can be used to stalk someone else’s account undercover.
“You look so funny in this pic from the party last night. You have to put it on your finsta.”
Flex
To show off
“Reed is trying to flex all over her finsta today since she made the soccer team.”
Glow Up
Upgrade your appearance
“Wow. Alison did a major glow up over the summer. She looks hot.”
Heather
Describes a girl who’s attractive and popular and whom people can’t help but like
“Karlee is a Heather. I wish I was like her.”
Highkey
Opposite of lowkey; a way to describe something you really want to emphasize
“I highkey can’t wait for spring break! It’s gonna be awesome.”
Hits Different
To experience something that conveys a different emotion or feeling than when previously experienced
“Ever since my parents got a divorce, this song hits different.”
Hop Off
Leave it alone; let it go
Girl 1: “I know Jared hasn’t texted in a week, but I think he still wants to hang out. I’ll give him another couple days.”
Girl 2: “Seriously. Hop off. He’s not interested.”
Ick
Something someone does that is an instant turn-off for you, making you instantly hate the idea of being with them romantically
“His yellow Crocs gave me the ick.”
I’m Dead/Ded
Basically saying they’re laughing so hard they’re dying; also acceptable just to use “dead” You send a funny meme; she replies, “ded.”
Karen
An entitled parent
If your teens refer to you as Karen, that means they think you’re being high maintenance or uppity.
“Stop asking to speak to the manager, Karen!”
If your teens refer to you as Karen, that means they think you’re being high maintenance or uppity. Click To TweetLowkey
Something you don’t want to emphasize too much
“I lowkey don’t want to go out with Patrick anymore, but I’m not going to tell him ’til after Valentine’s Day.”
No Cap
“For real” or “no lie”
Girl 1: “Brian does NOT like me.”
Girl 2: “Yeah, he does. No cap.”
Out of Pocket
To say or take something too far
Guy 1: “Your mom is super hot. I’m going to ask her to prom.”
Guy 2: “C’mon man. That was out of pocket.”
Pookie
A term of endearment used to describe something cute or someone you love.
“Hey, pookie.”
Rizz
Short for charisma
“The new kid’s got that rizz.”
Rizz Up
To charm
“He tried to rizz up the girl in his chem class, but she’s not feeling him.”
Salty
When you’re upset over something minor
“Why you so salty over not getting any time in today’s game? Coach will put you in next week.”
Sauce
Style, confidence, and attraction, usually in someone who is well-dressed and has swagger
“Gah. There’s something about Justin Timberlake. He’s got sauce.”
Say Less
“I understand” or I’m so on board with what the other person is saying, you don’t need to hear more.
“Ice cream after the soccer game? Say less.”
Shook
Emotionally shaken or affected by something
“I got so shook when she actually texted me back.”
Sksksksk
Simulates smashing a keyboard in a sort of “OMG” moment (Usually associated with VSCO girls)
“Sksksksk! Kevin just tweeted me!”
Slaps
Something that’s really good.
“Chipotle’s guac slaps.”
Slay
When someone looks amazing or did well at something
“Did you see Hayley at Homecoming? Girl slayed in that red dress.”
Smash
To have casual sex
“Wanna smash?”
Smoke/The Smoke
A conflict or controversy
“I’d tell you what Vicki said about you, but you can’t handle the smoke.”
Snatched
Fashionable, on point, looking sharp
“I love your earrings, Jen! They’re snatched.”
Stan
A hardcore fan of someone
The term comes from the song “Stan” by Eminem.
Can be used as a verb: “I stan Drake.”
Or a noun: “She just spent $300 on Ariana Grande tickets. What a stan.”
Straight Fire
Top notch
“That new album by Lizzo is straight fire. Every track is good.”
Sus
Short for “suspect” or “suspicious”
Boy 1: “Tommy turned in the same essay topic as I did.”
Boy 2: “Bro, he sits right behind you. That’s sus.”
Thirsty
Describing someone who is deliberately fishing for compliments or attention, or someone who wants to have sex
“Did you see Nicole’s Instagram pic from the beach? She’s so thirsty.”
THOT
Stands for “that ho over there;” often what guys call girls who text nude photos of themselves or have a reputation for being promiscuous
Guy 1: “Check out those girls at that table over there.”
Guy 2: “Naw man, they’re Thots bro.
Throw Shade
To insult someone in a low key way that no one would catch except the person it was directed toward
Guy 1: “It must’ve been nice to not have to worry about getting dressed to go out on Friday night.”
Guy 2: “Why you gotta throw shade?”
Trill
A blending of the words “true” and “real;” describes someone/something who is considered to be well respected
“It’s so trill.”
Understood the Assignment
When someone exceeds at a task or does so well they make a statement.
“Lucy killed it at the track meet. Girl understood the assignment.”
Whomp Whomp
Also known as “Sad Trombone,” it’s used to comment on something bad or disappointing that happened
Text from guy 1: “Tara said no to prom.”
Text from guy 2: “Whomp whomp”
It’s important to keep up so we know if our kids are into something dangerous, but now you have to promise me you won’t try to use teen slang. Come on, say it! “I promise!” Tell us some your kids are saying.
