Skrt, Cheugy and Other Gen Z Slang You Might Need Help Decoding
We all know enough about the social media block long enough to know what the terms complementary, basic, illuminated, and flexible mean. (Right? Right ?) However, there are plenty of slang words popularized by Gen Z – people born between 1997 and 2012 – who, if you don’t have a teenager in your life, aren’t tied to TikTok, or just a fashion boomer (more more on that later) you may not know. We’re here to break it down for you fam.
Behold: A carefully curated list of some of the most commonly used Gen-Z slang terms (most of which are actually black slang that Gen-Z whites are now co-opting).
Restrained: An adverb meaning secretly, lightly or kind of like. Something you don’t necessarily want to stream. I discreetly want to smash a whole Doritos bag right now.
Cheugy: (Pronounced chew-gee .) Out of the box , outdated, overdone, or overdone. Example: signs “Live, laugh, love”. Total cheug.
Deadass: Seriously; Seriously. Deadass, I love you as hell .
Capless: No lies; Seriously. I am so tired, I will sleep all weekend without a hat .
Stake: the equivalent of the word for generation Z. That means: I fell, I agree, let’s do it. Are you going to the game? Bet.
Yit: According to the Urban Dictionary , “throw an item at high speed.” Mostly to quit. ( She showed her phone across the room .) Also exclamation of surprise, excitement, or approval. (It’s the Aight or Booyah of olden times.)
Skrt : A description of the sound the tires make when you leave in a hurry. Used either as an expression of excitement, humor, or as an intention to turn sharply in another direction when he is not interested. She wanted to hang, I said skrt!
Simp: Also used as a noun and a verb to describe a person who pays excessive attention to a person of interest in a romantic relationship. I am now quite nitpicking .
Stan: A fusion of “stalker” and “fan” attributed to rapper Eminem, it is used as a verb or noun to mean (to be) an overzealous or obsessed fan. Are you a Taylor Swift representative? We’ll be Bernie (Sanders) .
It hits in different ways: when something seems significantly better or worse than previously thought or experienced. When you have a hangover, the sausage, egg, and cheese look different .
Okay, boomer : humiliation used to deny or reject something done or said by anyone between the ages of 35 and 40. (Although real baby boomers are 57 to 75 years old).
Pressed: upset, annoyed, or stressed. Hey bro, why did you press?
Sends me: Said when something really funny, sometimes for no apparent reason. Equivalent to “I can’t” or “I scream.” Fart sounds send me.
Take the Vibration Test: When someone or something new is deemed appropriate or good (often talked about how people act on social media). This comment section has failed vibe validation .
Understandable assignment: Used to describe who receives it, fulfills well, or unintentionally fulfills someone’s desires. If you want the child to freeze, and your child is freezing, this child has understood the task.
Slapping: the quality of being excellent or awesome. It started out with a reference to the music ( This beat slaps ), but it spread to something amazing. This is apple pie .
Say less: an expression that means: I understand; no further explanation required, shut up or I agree. Do you want to go to the new Avengers movie with me, Tina, Dave …? Speak less, I’m in business .
I am dead: or simply “dead”. Said that when something so funny it (figuratively speaking) killed you.
Pull up: you’re invited.
I’m Horny : Once used to express genuine emotional and psychological distress, this phrase has been used as sarcasm to bully people (often themselves) who are easily offended. Basic memes about autumn bitches? I’m excited .
Belly: An iteration of Generation Z “dude”. No gender specific. Anyone can be a bruch, even your parents (although they probably won’t like it).
Gatekeep : While not unique to Gen Z, they use it a lot, which means to restrict access, exclude, or otherwise act as the best asshole at something. Give up sentry Nirvana just because you are old .
For me, it is ___ : used to describe something that stands out in a person or thing, both positively and negatively. For me, these are human complaints.
Besti : What used to mean “best friend” has expanded to include everyone you want to reach out to, either affectionately (love these jeans, best friend) or condescending ( you don’t, girlfriend) . Do not understand? Okay, boomer.