When I first started teaching, I let my students pick their team names for an activity we were doing in class. One team chose “Netflix and Chill” as a team name. I loved it. I got excited when they announced their team name and responded, “I love to Netflix and chill! My husband and I Netflix and chill every night!” The class erupted. They laughed immediately and collectively—the kind of laughter that I love. This time, I knew that I had obviously said something inappropriate. So, I did what you do to diffuse an awkward moment and started river dancing. With the help of Urban Dictionary, I learned that “Netflix and chill” did not mean what I thought it meant. I decided I would refrain from incorporating teen slang into my lessons until I was certain I knew what it meant.
Whether you are a parent or teacher, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned so that you can decode teen slang conversations around you or maybe even throw some teen slang into your classroom instruction and join me in the cringiest-teacher-of-all club.
OK! For sure. All right. (Usually said in response to a question or statement.)
Teacher: OK, you guys have 10 minutes to finish this assignment.
Your ability to flirt, to charm guys or girls effortlessly
Student 1: Who are you taking to homecoming this weekend?
Student 2: You know I’ve got a lot of options because I’ve got mad rizz.
Very good (usually refers to food)
Student: This McFrappe is bussin.
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A physical or emotional makeover, a positive transformation
Student: Did you see who moved back in? She really had a glow up since 9th grade.
You’re lying. That’s not true.
Teacher: We have a quiz today.
Student: That’s cap.
Teacher: No cap, we have a quiz today.
Student: That’s kizzy cap.
Teacher: No, it is not kizzy cap. We have a quiz today.
Greatest of all time
Michael Jordan is the GOAT!
Clothing, shoes, accessories
Student: Love the drip today.
Teacher: Thank you. I got it on sale at Target.
You are doing an excellent job.
Teacher: What do you need in your body paragraphs to support your reasons?
An opinion that you’re trying to be subtle about
Student: Lowkey, I actually like the school buffalo chicken dip.
Student: The buffalo chicken dip smacks.
An indication that something is very good
Student: The buffalo chicken dip smacks.
Going over the top
Student: *sees Valentine’s Day headband on my head* Mrs. Naumoff, why you gotta be so extra today?
Student 1: Can I spill the tea for you?
Student 2: Not unless it’s piping hot tea.
Student 1: This is the freshest tea.
Student 2: Spill.
Student 1: Are we Gucci, brah?
Student 2: We Gucci.
You’re out of line and need to sit down.
Student 1: I obviously will get the highest grade on this test.
*Student 1 gets test back and receives a 40%.*
Student 2: Take several seats.
Student: *frustrated with the Chromebook* Can I just yeet my computer out the window?
Teacher: No, I am afraid you cannot throw the computer out of the window. Try turning it off and back on again. That is my go-to solution for all computer problems.
Bragging about something
Student 1: I never pop my zits. I just leave them there for the world to see.
Student 2: Weird flex, but OK.
Typical cocky male
Student 1: I just got to 400 on COD last night.
Student 2: What a Chad.
I just accidentally sent the red heart emoji to my crush. Big yikes.
Did you hear we’re going on a field trip today for English? It’s poggers.
Did you listen to Taylor Swift’s new vault tracks? They are gas.
Really good, better than the rest
Chris Stapleton singing “The Star Spangled Banner” was straight fire.
A girl who constantly wants sympathy (I do feel bad for this girl and this phrase, for the record. Maybe let’s find out why she is seeking out sympathy to begin with?)
I wanted to bring Starbucks with me after my appointment today but did not want to look like a pick-me girl.
That joke was so funny that I just died, or that was so shocking I am now dead.
Student reads a funny or embarrassing story in a message and responds, “I’m dead.” Or they just send the dead-face emoji.
That’s a vibe, a cute artistic little vibe.
I love that Google Slides aesthetic. It’s so 1990s.
A phase that someone is in
I’m in mini-van mom era and loving every minute of it.
An abbreviated version of “delusional”
Call me delulu but I actually think that if I met Taylor Swift, we would be friends.
A sound from Roblox that can be synonymous with “oops” or to express discomfort for yourself or another person
Student 1: I sent him 2 texts back-to-back last night and he never responded.
“And left no crumbs” to be used when someone does an excellent job at something.
Did you see my score on that exam? I ate that.
Someone who is boring and conforms to trends
Student 1: If you carry a Stanley and wear Uggs, you’re basic.
Student 2: I feel attacked.
Family but also friends who feel like family
This quizlet deck is lit, fam.
A term used by Gen-Z to describe the habits and trends of a millennial
So, are low-rise jeans cheugy or are they Gen-Z?
Stands for bro. If you interact with a teen at any point, you likely have been called this name.
Bruh, is our essay seriously due tomorrow?
Something that impacts you in a bigger way than other things
Usher’s Confession album just hits different when you watch him at the Super Bowl in your 30s.
What you spend a significant amount of time thinking about
My Roman Empire is Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Short for “outfit”
Love the fit, girl. Slay.
An expression used to compare what something looks like to something else
It’s giving Troop Beverly Hills and I am here for it.
Someone is looking really good.
Did you see her in that homecoming dress? She was serving up looks.
Superfans of a person, celebrity, group, etc.
Everyone knows I stan for Taylor Swift.
An emotional person
My emo playlist includes every Dashboard Confessional album.
Someone who is new like a newbie and they do not know what they are doing
It is clear that you’re a noob at pickleball.
Someone who is into the outdoors
I went on a hike yesterday and it made me feel so granola.
Something that is obvious.
High-key, I hate MLA format.
An expression that means that a person understood the expectations of the event and exceeded
Whoa, I see your flapper skirt. You definitely understood the assignment for this Gatsby party.
A feeling, a look
Writing papers with Adele playing in the background is such a vibe.
Fill in the blank and add “coded” and it means that it is a reflection of that person
Going ax-throwing on your first date is so Theresa-coded.
Fitting to, like going to
I’m finna get Chipotle after school today.
Student 1: I stayed up until two in the morning working on this assignment because my partner did nothing.
Student 2: Say less, fam.
Short for “mental breakdown”
It seems like my menty b seems to pop up every third nine weeks.
Longer than forever
I feel like I’ve been waiting five-ever for him to post those grades.
When something is subpar, less than impressive
I’m just saying, the school’s fettuccine Alfredo is mid.
Allowing someone to continue what they are doing, not interfering
The teacher told Henry to stop playing video games in class, and the students replied, “Let him cook.”
A meal of snacks, small portions of different food, side dishes
I’m just going to eat light tonight. Instead of an entree, I’ll just have pretzel bites, breadsticks, and pot stickers—a real girl dinner.
Unconventional ways to justify a purchase
Student 1: I know these jeans were $150, but if you actually divide up the amount of money I’ve spent on them per wear, it’s like less than $1 a wear, so it’s a really good deal.
Student 2: That’s girl math.
Someone who is confident, embracing their natural leadership qualities, self-assured
You’re just exuding main character energy lately and I am here for it.
A fashion moment that is very unique
Your prom dress is a full lewk.
An insult usually thrown at people to remind them to get real, spend some time outside
*Comedian reads comments from haters on Instagram and posts a story telling them to touch grass.*
Giving someone some negative looks
Teacher hands out assignment that students have to work on.
Student gives side-eye.
Teacher: “No need for that side-eye, you’ve got all period to get this finished.”
Proof of something like texts, screenshots
I know for sure that he is talking to a new girl. I’ve got the receipts.
A controversial opinion on something
Hot take, school lunches are actually good.
Being annoyed by something
I’m pressed about how much homework we have tonight.
To share something publicly about someone else that is most likely embarrassing
He cheated on the test! I’m putting him on blast.
When someone is taking up space in your mind, living in your thoughts
There is a carrot cake in my fridge right now that is living rent-free in my head.
Pointing out someone’s flaws
Student 1: Do you realize that you always argue with people just for the sake of arguing?
Student 2: Oh, you just got read, sis.
Someone who can see that their text has been read but no one has responded
I messaged him last night but he left me on read.
I’m amped about our class field trip!
To mock or humiliate someone
Prepared to get dragged if you come for Taylor Swift in the comments.
Student 1: I feel like if you order Chipotle online and not in person, they go light on everything.
Student 2: That’s facts.
When someone is mad or frustrated
You don’t need to get heated just because someone beat you in euchre.
When someone is venting about something and you say this to encourage them to continue their rant
Student 1: It seems like they just up the prices on everything and then call it a sale by taking 20% off when really it is the actual price.
Student 2: Go off.
Short for “suspicious,” used to describe a person or situation
Student 1: He said that he had to stay home for dinner tonight, but when I checked his location, he was at a restaurant.
Student 2: That’s sus.
When someone is frightened, startled, or shocked about something
I am fully shook when I walk up the basement stairs in the dark.
To talk poorly about someone else
I heard them in the bathroom trying to throw shade about you.
When someone has an attitude and is grouchy
Why are you so salty, bro? Do you need a nap?
End of the conversation, like a period but with a T for emphasis
Let Taylor Swift live. Periodt.
A warning, especially when concerning a person you have romantic interest in
If he only speaks in hyperbole, that’s a red flag.
Good things, hints at positives in a potential relationship
He has a clean car? It’s a green flag for me.
Unique things about a person who you are in a relationship with or hope to be in a relationship with; traits that are not necessarily bad or good, just ones that make you pause and think
My man’s beige flag is that he puts all hot water in the tea kettle because he thinks when we microwave it for instant oatmeal, we are ruining our bodies.
Let’s make this romantic relationship happen.
Do you think the teacher put us together for this project because she’s trying to ship us?
That outfit makes you look snatched.
Someone who looks attractive
Student 1: Did you see that guy?
Student 2: Yes, he is a snack.
Student 1: No, that’s a whole meal.
Someone who looks extremely attractive
He’s not just a snack, he’s a whole meal!
To attract someone in a romantic way
Student 1: I pull more girls than anyone else in this room.
Student 1’s Wingman: Facts.
“Before anyone else,” used to describe a romantic partner, like “babe”
Student 1: Remember bae? Before anyone else? Let’s bring that back.
Student 2: Cringe.
A trait that a person possesses that causes another person to lose romantic attraction to them; an ick is the quality that makes someone else disgusted
When he says “cool beans,” it gives me the ick.
Excellent flirting skills
Max has rizz. I’m just his wingman.
Ending a relationship by abruptly not speaking to that person anymore
I’m too uncomfortable to end it with him so I’m just gonna ghost.
Someone who is doing too much for someone else
He’s such a simp for his girl right now, bringing her Starbucks every day.
Behavior that is embarrassing
Mrs., can you never say “rizz” again in class? You’re just too cringe to handle right now.
That feeling when
TFW we get out of class early. Nothing beats it.
TBF, I did tell her that I liked someone else before she started dating him.
That test was way harder than I thought it would be, NGL.
For You Page on TikTok
That new trend on my FYP is taking over my whole feed.
I got a 97 on my last quiz. W!
She didn’t like your post? L.
In case you missed it
ICYMI, I sent out a group invite for a sleepover at my house tomorrow.
I made the BEST dinner last night. FR.
TBH, I don’t like this science unit.
If you know you know
The teacher was trying to use teen slang yesterday…. IYKYK.
In real life instead of online
I’ve seen those shoes so much on TikTok, but not so much IRL.
