Need to update your rizz factor a little bit? Good. Because this post is all about keeping you from being cringe, no cap.
If you’re like most parents, you hear a ton of new words from your kids these days — and you have absolutely no clue what they mean.
But rather than focusing on the potentially problematic teen slang that you might hear kids using with each other, let’s instead focus on the upbeat, positive, or dare we even say, nice things you might catch them saying. Who knows? You could even use them in a super-cringe way just to mess with them!
1. Bussin’
When something is “bussin’” it means that something is very, very good. To put it into Gen Z or Millenial terms, it would be similar to saying something is awesome, incredible, or even amazing. Bussin’ can literally be applied to anything as an adjective, yet it usually is used to describe foods. You’ll sense a trend here with many of these new terms — they often have food or food-related roots.
Example: “This soccer banquet has a buffet that will be bussin’, Chris.”
2. Crash out
Kids are using this to describe an overreaction or tantrum because of something small — it doesn’t mean just fall asleep instantly after staying up all night like you might think.
Example: “I missed this bus AND forgot my homework, I’m about to crash out.”
3. Glow Up
Think “grow up” but with a bit more rizz aka charisma or swagger. Usually people experience “glow ups” when there’s some sort of positive change that makes them appear more attractive, older, more fashionable or overall more confident in their life.
Example: “I haven’t seen Sophie since you two were in pre-school together. She’s had quite the glow up!”
4. Slay
Slay does not mean what you think it does — it’s actually a good thing and not something you’d find in a slasher film. When someone “slays" or “is slaying,” then they are performing at a very high level — they’re crushing it.
Example: “Jackson totally slayed his piano recital yesterday.”
5. Let them cook
This teen slang is a tricky one. When you let someone cook, you’re allowing them to do their thing. It can apply to something traditional (like playing soccer) or something more nuanced (like going off on a rant about how much better Wicked is than Wizard of Oz).
Example: “No, I want to hear Olivia’s complicated story about the origin of Glinda. Let. Her. Cook!”
6. Era
You can thank Taylor Swift for this one. When you’re in a particular “era”, you are in a particular phase of life— no matter how small or fleeting it could be. It could be a fashion style, hair style, series of food choices or team sports support. Which era would you be in right now?
Example: “Aiden is currently in his hot Cheetos era, and he brings them for lunch every single day. Last month, it was Takis.”
7. Stan
Simply put, stans are fans of someone, sometimes some things. It connotes rapid or undying faithfulness often in some sort of kitschy name of the person who is being followed or celebrated. Like Swifties or Beehive members. Fun fact: the origin of this word comes from an old Eminem song about an obsessed fan whose name was — you guessed it — Stan.
Example: “Our whole family are stans of the New England Patriots. Massive stans, really.”
8. Rizz
Rizz is short for charisma, but it also means swagger, or some sort of unattainable “it factor” that just permeates a person’s entire being.
Example: “Your teacher, Mr. Carinallo, has mad rizz.”
9. Main character
This teen slang is perhaps the most obvious of all, but when someone is the main character of a particular story or movie, they’re the most important person involved.
Example: “Emma’s mom thought she was the main character at the PTO meeting last night, and talked the whole time.”
10. Bet
Bet is a positive exclamation point that suggests that the speaker responding is in agreement. It’s a simple response akin to “you bet” that just quickly affirms or confirms a suggestion, question, or statement.
Example: “Do I want to go to the pool later? Bet.”
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