How to Speak Gen Z

As a writer of young adult novels set in the 1980s (though, spoiler alert, that may change soon), I follow a host of ‘80s-obsessed Instagram accounts devoted to this all-important decade. Not too long ago, I came across an old video on one of these accounts showing a reporter in the ‘80s interviewing teenagers and people in their early 20s about “the new lingo.” Y’know, the so-called “Valley Girl talk” that was all the rage back in the day. Phrases like “For sure,” “Totally tubular,” “Grody to the max,” and “Gag me with a spoon” and terms like “bogus” and “gnarly” that Bill and Ted made household sayings. (Heck, their second movie was called Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.) I recall meeting a teenaged girl slightly older than me in the late ‘80s who, after I said something she apparently didn’t like, proceeded to utter the following: “Gross me out the door!” To this day, I have no idea what she actually meant.

This got me to thinking about how every generation has their own unique slang that old folks like me can’t wrap our heads around. My two daughters happen to belong to Gen Z and seem to have their own language. Overhearing their conversations in my house, I’ve come up with this handy glossary of twelve of their favorite off-kilter phrases. Study it well, and you too can speak like a Gen Z-er!

same: to agree.

Example:

Girl 1: “Man, I hate Mondays.”

Girl 2: “Same!”

Let’s go!: to be excited about something (not to be confused with wanting to partake in an actual trip).

Example:

Girl 1: “I heard it might snow tomorrow, and they’ll close school.”

Girl 2: “Let’s go!”

be like: explaining how someone or something always does the same thing, usually preceded by a quotation.

Example: “Our teacher be like, ‘More homework!’”

for real: seriously (as in affirmation).

Example:

“That videogame was too hard.”

“For real!”

suspicious: anything derogatory.

Examples:

“That teacher is suspicious.”

“The hamburger surprise in the cafeteria today was suspicious.”

“That test was suspicious.”

pick-me: someone who calls attention to oneself, i.e., pretentious or ostentatious.

Examples:

“At the talent show, that girl was a pick-me.”

“Did you see what she was wearing today? She’s such a pick-me!”

allergic: not liking something. Note: This doesn’t necessarily involve food.

Examples:

“I’m allergic to today’s homework.”

“I’m allergic to broccoli.”

“I’m allergic to gym class.”

spicy: any food the person doesn’t like. Note: Similar to the last definition, it doesn’t necessarily involve a food that’s actually spicy.

Example: “I don’t like this banana. It’s too spicy.”

cringe: anything odd or creepy that inspires a negative reaction.

Examples:

“That horror game is cringe.”

“I don’t like that weird commercial; it’s cringe.”

ris (pronounced like “riz”): short for “charisma.”

Example:

“That guy was really smooth; he has a lot of ris.”

Yes, sir!: absolutely (said with passion). Note: This doesn’t simply mean “yes.” Also, despite the use of the word “sir,” this phrase is completely unrelated to politeness or to gender.

Example:

Mom: “Are you ready to go on vacation tomorrow?”

Daughter: “Yes, sir!”

POV: uhhh…I actually don’t know what this means, but, contrary to popular belief, this abbreviation doesn’t stand for “Point Of View.” I can give numerous examples though.

Examples:

“POV, Freddy just killed that guy.” (referring to the popular game/meme/movie/whatever Five Nights at Freddy’s)

“POV, she didn’t do her homework.”

“POV, he ignores her.”

So, besides that last definition, you can now use these popular terms to talk like a typical Gen Z-er. And now you know! And knowing is half the battle. Wait, that’s an ‘80s reference. I warned you I’m now one of the old folks.

MTP

P.S.: Next blog: A Surprise!

P.P.S.: Déjà View is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:

• Amazon