Ever find yourself scrolling through TikTok, utterly captivated by the snappy and seemingly cryptic language of Gen Z? Wondering what those trendy slangs mean? Well, you're not alone!
Understanding these slangs is key to keeping your services and products relevant to a younger audience. Slang serves as a cultural code, reflecting the attitudes, behaviours, and expressions of specific communities.
Staying informed about these linguistic trends not only ensures that you can engage in meaningful conversations but also enables you to connect with diverse audiences on a deeper level.
Join us on a linguistic escapade as we unravel the top 10 TikTok slangs that have taken social media by storm.
@amndachang look at those lil feetsies #newickunlocked #newick #icks #fypシ ♬ original sound - ⭐️Helene⭐️
Ick
"Ick" is the Gen Z expression for that gross or disgusting feeling, especially in social or romantic situations. It's used light-heartedly, conveying personal discomfort without necessarily providing details.
For instance, if your date asks about your zodiac sign, and it's incompatible, they might say it gives them an "ick."
@dorothymannine free money
♬ original sound - Dorothy Mannine
Girl math
Want to justify buying an expensive luxurious bag? Use girl math!
It's a mathematical approach justifying how women spend money. This sophisticated approach involves breaking down the value of an item through various equations, such as determining the cost per wear. And get this—if you return something, you're not just undoing a purchase; you're making money because it goes back into your account.
So, the next time you're eyeing something that might seem a bit extra, just pull out that girl math and treat yourself guilt-free!
@annaxsitar main character energy
♬ I Wish You Would - Taylor Swift
Main character energy
Ever felt like the world revolves around you? That's "main character energy" – when you focus on your happiness, showing a lot of self-respect, self-love, and self-confidence. It's like having this positive aura around you that makes others look up to you.
So, if you catch yourself dancing in the rain, singing with friends, or just feeling fantastic, congratulations – you're rocking that main character energy!
@luiza.irina W rizz😍#foryoupage #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #fyp #trend #viraltiktok #foryou #foryougape #wrizz #rizz #school ♬ white tee - 𝕷𝖎𝖆
Rizz
Short for charisma, “rizz” describes the ability to charm a potential romantic partner or flirt with confidence.
It can also be used creatively, like calling someone the "Rizzard of Oz" or "King Rizzard."
@cocomocoe POV: Explaining niche internet lore to your friend who has a different FYP than you 😭💀 Ft. @Nicky @jeffri is the genius behind #Zepotha in the lead up to her song #DoYouRememberMe ♬ original sound - Coco Mocoe
Lore
Originally used for background information in books and games, "lore" has evolved into standard TikTok slang. The lore has a never-ending cycle of very random or secret pieces of information.
When people share personal stories on social media, it's termed "personal lore," often paired with "side quests” – events or chores that usually don’t fit the routine of a person, but aren’t so significant in their life.
@nataliatovar1_ don’t do it sissyyy… #canonevent #fyp ♬ Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O'Hara) - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Daniel Pemberton
Canon events
An awkward or distressing life occurrence that must play out without interference, as it holds the potential to profoundly shape their future or how they act.
The phrase was introduced in the new “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” movie which is a great representation of how GenZ acts and how to capture their attention.
@olivia_strid3 Men at the beach can’t be bothered #fyp #fypシ #foryou #men #beach #beigeflag #viral #greenscreen ♬ Summer Background Jazz - Jazz Background Vibes
Beige flag
You have heard of red flags (bad attributes of someone’s character) and green flags (good attributes), but how about beige flags? In secure relationships, "beige flags" highlight quirky or odd yet charming behaviors specific to an individual.
Flags are used to rate noticeable and subtle characteristics of a person.
@kaylinwiley pov: you’re watching a cringey “chaotic” millennial video #pov #millennial #kaylinpov ♬ original sound - kaylin wiley
Millennialcore
Millenialcore is a broad term that people use to describe fashion, behavior, humor and design associated with millennials. What are we exactly talking about? For instance, wearing a short dress, high-heeled boots, a chunky necklace, and a corporate blazer is a true "millennialcore" moment.
Here's a bonus tidbit of millennial lore: the "millennial pause." This term, playfully coined by Gen Z to tease millennials, captures the moment when some users take a brief pause after hitting the record button.
@arsenal.womens Ate and left no crumbs. #fyp #fyppp #viral #girlsfootball #letgirlsplay #wsl #woso #arsenalwomens #arsenalwfc #gunners #redarmy #katiemccabe @Katie McCabe ♬ original sound - AWFC ❤️🤍
Ate and left no crumbs
In short, this phrase describes someone who has executed something perfectly, leaving no room for improvement. It's as if they scooped up most of the talent and skills, leaving the world with just a sprinkle for the rest of us.
For example, if someone impresses you with their super-cool outfit, you might say they "ate and left no crumbs."
@zayaan4 4 + 4 #zayaanvids #zayaan#greenscreen ♬ original sound - Zayaan
4+4
Ever seen comments with just "4+4"? The answer is 8, but it's also a play on the word "ate." It signifies executing something gracefully and with style, as we mentioned earlier.
There you have it! We hope you've learned something new and feel a little less intimidated by the GenZ slang.
If it still feels overwhelming, don't worry—understanding TikTok and Gen Z lore takes time. Reach out to us at zagreb@younited.agency, and let our team assist you in creating engaging and culturally relevant social media content.
Stay connected, stay current, and let's make your brand speak the language of the digital age together!
