Tech
Introduced in 2020 to compete with TikTok, this is the name for Instagram's short-form vertical video feed.
Reels
Backed by the historic, multi-million dollar star power of Shohei Ohtani, this powerhouse franchise won back-to-back championships by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in an 11-inning Game 7 thriller.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Universal smashed records with a massive musical biopic about this legendary King of Pop, which scored the biggest opening weekend ever for a biographical film.
Michael (Jackson)
Whether she is working "late 'cause she's a singer" or asking you to please "Please Please Please" behave, this former Disney star completely dominated Gen Z pop playlists.
Sabrina Carpenter
Whether they are the platform version, the classic clog, or covered in customized "Jibbitz" charms, these foam shoes are found in every single high school hallway.
Crocs
This mega-hit Netflix series, where the kids of Hawkins, Indiana fight to destroy Vecna and the Upside Down.
Strangers Things
This refers to a student's smooth talking skills or ability to charm a romantic interest.
Rizz
The United States is negotiating with this Middle Eastern nation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran
Snapchat uses this specific emoji next to a friend's name to signify a "Super BFF"—meaning you have been each other's #1 best friend for two months straight.
Two Pink Hearts emoji
Tom Brady retired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 after winning this many Super Bowls.
Seven
This star of Dune and Wonka won a Grammy for his work on the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
Timothée Chalamet
This "Pink Pony Club" singer and Midwest Princess became a massive cultural phenomenon, known for her campy, theatrical pop anthems and getting entire festival crowds to do the "H-O-T-T-O-G-O" dance.
Chappell Roan
Originally a 1980s basketball shoe, this Nike low-top sneaker—especially in the black-and-white "Panda" colorway—became the unofficial daily uniform shoe for millions of teens.
Nike Dunks
Wednesday Adamms, a deadpan, cello-playing teenager solving a supernatural mystery at Nevermore Academy is played by this actress.
If a joke is unfunny, an outfit is desperately trying too hard, or an interaction is deeply embarrassing, high schoolers will instantly label it with this 6-letter word.
Cringe
The United States has made suggestions about acquiring this large, arctic island.
Greenland
This is the name of Roblox's official virtual currency, used to buy avatar accessories, game passes, and developer products.
Robux
Led by head coach Mike Macdonald and a fierce defense, this NFC West team shocked the NFL by defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX (60).
Seattle Seahawks
Miles Morales swings through a multiverse of distinct art styles while trying to escape hundreds of other Spider-People in this critically acclaimed animated sequel.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
This chart-topping alternative pop star told listeners that "birds of a feather should stick together" on her critically acclaimed album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.
Billie Eilish
Gen Z completely revived this early-2000s, star-studded luxury brand, promoted by WNBA player Angel Reese and known for its colorful, rhinestone-covered zip-up hoodies and velour tracksuits.
Juicy Couture
High-stakes treasure hunts, boat chases, and a tragic ending for JJ have high schoolers counting down the days for the fifth and final season of this sun-soaked Netflix teen drama.
Outer Banks
To have an uncontrollable emotional outburst, completely lose your temper, or act recklessly without considering the consequences
Crash out
The US arrested the leader of this South American nation, in a secret, nighttime military operation.
Venezuela
This 2011 app—originally named Picaboo—pioneered the "disappearing photo" market.
Snapchat
This Argentinian GOAT and Inter Miami forward sent shockwaves through the sports world when he moved to the MLS, instantly making pink jerseys a staple in high school hallways.
Lionel Messi
This newly released sci-fi horror is based on an internet concept involving liminal spaces without people.
Backrooms
After his legendary diss track Not Like Us won a Grammy and his album GNX dominated the charts, this Compton rap icon was selected to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Kendrick Lamar
Teens looking for unique vintage fits have largely abandoned traditional malls to go thrift shopping, a practice they heavily document on social media using this specific term.
Thrift Flip, Thrift Haul
Teen romance fans completely devoured this massive drama series based on Jenny Han's novels, which follows Belly Conklin as she finds herself caught in a dramatic love triangle between two brothers at Cousins Beach.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
to suddenly cut off all communication with someone without any explanation
Ghosting
Israel is currently fighting with this neighboring country.
Lebanon
Built on a decentralized "federated" network, this text-based platform with a butterfly logo became the massive breakout alternative for users fleeing X (formerly Twitter).
Bluesky
Known as "The Next One," this Edmonton Oilers captain is widely considered the best hockey player in the world, famous for his mind-bending speed and scoring capabilities.
Connor McDavid
Disney took audiences back to the savanna for this prequel/sequel that explores the origin story of Simba’s father and his rivalry with Scar.
Mufasa: The Lion King
This heavily tattooed country-rock superstar completely took over the music world with his hit I Had Some Help (featuring Morgan Wallen) and his massive 2024 debut country album F-1 Trillion
Post Malone
Founded by a UK teenager in 2011, this massive social shopping app combined Instagram's feed with eBay's marketplace, becoming the ultimate platform for Gen Z to buy and sell secondhand vintage clothes.
Depop
Based on a legendary video game franchise, this hit sci-fi series follows a cheerful "Vault Dweller" named Lucy as she navigates a bizarre, retro-futuristic, and incredibly violent nuclear wasteland.
Fallout
If a student is caught intentionally posting specific gym mirror selfies, highly curated aesthetic photos of their coffee, or doing things just to look cool on social media, they are accused of doing this agricultural action.
Aura Farming
Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia previously invaded and captured this strategic peninsula of Ukraine.
Crimea (Crimean Peninsula)