Social media has become a defining factor of Gen Z culture. With it, trends, long-distance communication, influence, and especially slang, or lingo, have developed rapidly. Certain apps such as TikTok and apps that mimic or incorporate video-scrolling like YouTube Shorts,Instagram, and Facebook Reels have become an essential part of entertainment and a go-to pastime. 

Because of this, they’ve also turned into catalysts for a vocabulary epidemic. Words and phrases that were originally used digitally or online, have transcended devices and are now incorporated into everyday conversations. 

Because lingo has become as common as the rest of the English language, words are warping and evolving into more intricate, specific phrases used by newer generations. Gen Z and Gen Alpha most commonly use such language and it’s overtaken schools across the country. Here’s a rundown of the most commonly used lingo and what they mean:

• “Erm… actually!” = Correcting somebody in an ironically nerdy manner.
• “I’m cooking” or “Let me cook.” = What someone says when they are doing well at any given activity.
• Not to be confused with “cooking”, “I’m cooked.” = This means somebody has not or will not do well, or made a mistake and knows there might be consequences.
• “Dawg.” = A term of endearment towards a friend or acquaintance, possibly used in a confrontational manner.
• “Crashing out”, “Tweaking”, or “Geeked”. = Used interchangeably, these mean somebody is stressed, excited, or losing their mind. 
• “Gyatt!” = This means somebody possesses a particularly large posterior (this isn’t always appropriate or welcome).
• “Slay!” = An exclamation towards someone that has achieved something or adorned something admiring or fashionable.
• “Lowkey.” = This describes something that is done or stated secretly or modestly.
• The opposite of “lowkey”, “Hi-key” or “Highkey”. = Something that is done or stated with pride or certainty.
• “Bet.” = Used in agreement. 
• “Cap.” = This is used towards someone you believe to be lying.
• “Fire” or “Gas.” = Used to describe something that is enjoyable, palatable, appealing, or impressive.
• “Locked in.” = To be in a state of unbreakable focus in any given activity.
• “Period”, often spelled “Periodt.” = Like “bet”, this is used in agreement or as a term of validation.Student vocabulary is ever-changing and evolving into more interesting, and possibly abominable amalgamations. Though it is not easy to be constantly in-the-know about something so inconsistent, one would be clueless around the young-ins otherwise”My favorite slang word is probably “periodt”. – Desire Long (Emily Boling)

  

  

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