A Complete Guide to Understanding Modern-day Teen Slang

Exploring the internet and social media will definitely leave you clueless, as the appearance of innumerable teen slang terms has made it difficult for people to understand even normal phrases. Every day, there are new phrases and abbreviations that are being introduced as a result of the influence of music, applications, and celebrities.

All of this can overwhelm you a lot, as in the majority of cases, parents, grandparents, and even educators do not know what children are speaking or referring to. If you are also confused when it comes to teen slang terms, then use this guide to learn about the popular terms that are present on the internet and being used by the current generation extensively. 

Funny, Basic, and Harmless Teen Slang Terms 

• Adulting - This slang is used to refer to anything that, generally, an adult will do. “Adulting is really hard. All my money goes to the government.”

• Aesthetic - Anything that matches the vibe of the current generation is aesthetic. “I love the aesthetic of the account that I just saw.” 

• Ate and left no crumbs - The phrase is widely common and is used by people when someone does an exceptional job. “Girl just performed the entire Bohemian Rhapsody by herself. Ate and left no crumbs!”

• Basic - That’s right! This word is also a slang term that is used to describe someone who is not unique and lacks originality. 

• BB - A synonym for "babe" or "baby," but generally used for friends instead. It is pronounced "bee bee."

• Beige flag - A behavior or personality trait that lies between a red flag and a green flag, being neither positive nor negative, just somewhat eccentric or odd. For instance: "My boyfriend's beige flag is that he always sleeps with his shirts on backwards."

• Bestie - Best friend in abbreviated form, it can be used in a sincere or sarcastic manner.

• Bet - A reply word that is used to convey the same meaning as "Ok, for sure."

• Bougie/boujee - Of a high caliber, wealthy, luxurious (derived from "bourgeois").

• Boutta - About to happen.

• Brain rot - The media or content that is very low-grade and uncreative internet rubbish, or the conducting of such a content-watching activity.

• Bruh - A modern take on "bro."

• Bussin’ - Extremely good; this term is mostly applied to food and can be doubled if the food is exceptionally wonderful. "Those fries look bussin'!" "Oh, they are BUSSIN' bussin'!"

• Cap/No Cap - To tell a lie, or to tell the truth. "I didn't study at all for that test and got an A, no cap."

• Catch feels - To let oneself fall in love with someone. The term became popular owing to the song "Feels" by Calvin Harris ft. Katy Perry, Pharrell, etc. 

• Catch these hands - A way of saying "to fight" (for example: "My girlfriend is cuter than yours," "You are gonna catch these hands.").

• CEO Of - Mastering something with one's great skills.

• Cheugy - Awkward or cringe-worthy in a way, specifically, Gen Z use it to refer to trends of the early to mid-2000s.

• Dead/dying - Something is so funny that you can't control yourself anymore. "That TikTok, I'm dead."

• Delulu - A short form of the word "delusional," which is used in a funny way to call someone out for choosing to ignore the reality that is less interesting/attractive in favor of a more favorable interpretation of events.

Doing the most - Generally used when someone is exaggerating or being over the top.