With the rise in popularity of social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, comes new terms that gain traction with the younger generations. When adults and members of the older generations attempt to understand or adopt these slang words into their own vocabulary, it becomes very evident that in order to fully understand the meanings of these phrases, you need to be fully immersed in Gen Z or Gen Alpha culture.
Before diving into the slang itself, a bigger question must be answered first: why do we have this generational divide when Gen Z and Gen Alpha are so close together? This is due to many factors, the main culprit being the fact that Gen Alpha grew up during the peak of technology, breeding an overwhelming amount of “chronically online” tweens and early teens.
There is a major cultural divide between the popular culture of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, resulting in turbulence between the two generations at times. Because of the ridiculousness of some of Gen Alpha’s slang, causing Gen Z–as well as some older generations as well–to look down on Gen Alpha and conclude that we, as a human race, are declining intellectually.
Some might also say that Gen Z’s slang is equally as meaningless as Gen Alpha’s slang, so let’s dive a little deeper into some of the slang terms.
Gen Z
No Cap
“Cap” essentially means a lie, so saying “no cap” means there’s no lie; it’s the whole truth.
“No cap, I’m actually Batman and I need to go save the city.”
Simp
This is a term for someone who is obsessed with another person and worships the ground they walk on, doing every little thing possible to earn even an ounce of their attention. This term was popular from around 2019-2020.
“Wow, that guy’s such a simp. He’s only known that girl for a week and he already bought her all those clothes.”
Basic
This is used to refer to someone whose style or personality is unoriginal or bland.
“Ugh, my outfit is so basic today. I didn’t have time to pick out good clothes.”
Ick
A turn-off or something that deters you from developing feelings for someone.
“This guy invited me out to dinner and then made me pay the entire bill. It totally gave me the ick.”
Rizz
To have “game” or the ability to pick up people in a romantic sense.
“My rizz is nonexistent. I couldn’t talk to a single person at that party last night.”
Gen Alpha slang tends to stem from more recent TikTok trends and from YouTube streamers. It’s well known as “brainrot” as it’s so ridiculous and meaningless it rots your brain.
Gen Alpha
Sigma
Used to describe someone who is powerful, independent, successful, and high in the social hierarchy.
“Woah, check out that person riding that motorcycle. They’re such a sigma.”
Ohio
A well-known state where crazy things tend to happen.
“That kind of thing only happens in Ohio.”
Fanum Tax
The act of taking someone else’s food.
“Those french fries look good. Let me get my fanum tax.”
Aura
Someone’s vibe or reputation.
“I slipped and fell down the stairs this morning in front of a group of people. I lost major aura.”
Mog
To be the better-looking person in a photo with you and another person.
“You totally mogged me in that photo we took yesterday.”
After looking at slang words from both generations, it’s clear that neither one is more or less nonsensical than the other. They vastly differ because of the shift in technology usage as well as what social platforms and influencers have become popular as of recent. Generation Alpha has such easy access to the internet and social media, something that’s terrifying to many adults and even older teenages. However, we shouldn’t judge these individuals’ intellectual abilities solely based on the nonsense they consume online, and instead should look past the surface and dig a little deeper.
