1980s
Slanguage
Slanguage
You might shout this single word after tricking someone by making a false statement.
What is Psych? (or Sike)
This dismissive one-word response was the ultimate 90s shrug, often paired with a hand gesture.
What is "Whatever"?
Popularized by hip-hop culture, this term refers to flashy, expensive jewelry or a sparkling lifestyle.
What is Bling (or Bling-bling)?
Oxford’s 2013 Word of the Year, this term describes a self-portrait usually taken with a smartphone held at arm's length.
What is a Selfie?
Short for "charisma," this word refers to someone's ability to charm or attract a romantic partner.
What is Rizz?
This adjective, frequently used by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, means excellent or "cool."
What is Radical? (or Rad)
If something was particularly excellent or "explosive" in its greatness, it was described as being this.
What is "Da Bomb"?
This three-letter acronym for your closest companion became a staple of early texting and AIM culture.
What is BFF?
If you are looking for drama, conflict, or a fight with someone, you might tell them you want "all the" this.
What is Smoke?
If a student tells you "No ____," they are asserting that they are telling the absolute truth and not lying.
What is Cap?
This adverb was the ultimate 80s intensifier, often paired with "awesome" to show agreement.
What is Totally?
This one-syllable adjective for being "cool" or "stylish" in the 90s.
What is Fly?
Emerging from early 2000s gaming culture, this four-letter term is a derogatory name for a beginner or an unskilled player.
What is a Noob?
If a party or event was incredibly exciting and high-energy, it was described with this three-letter word that also describes a fire.
What is Lit?
This three-letter word is used to describe something that is mediocre, low-quality, or just "average."
What is Mid?
The ultimate 80s antonym to "excellent," this two-syllable word was used to describe a situation that was completely unfair, lame, or uncool.
What is Bogus?
If someone was truly the best or highly self-confident, they weren't just "all that," they were "all that and ___________ ".
What is "a bag of chips"?
This compound modifier is used to describe something done subtly, quietly, or secretly without drawing too much attention.
What is Lowkey?
This term refers to the act of suddenly ending all communication with someone without any explanation, like you've vanished into thin air.
What is Ghosting?
If a student realizes they haven't started a project due in five minutes, they might say they are this, meaning they are "done for."
What is Cooked?
Derived from surf culture, this word is used to describe something that is either "excellent" or "dangerously intense."
What is Gnarly?
This dismissive phrase was almost always accompanied by a palm held directly toward the listener’s face.
What is "Talk to the hand"?
Often accompanied by holding up a two fingers, this slang term became a trendy, casual way to say goodbye or leave a situation in the late 2000s.
What is Deuces?
Originally used in a viral Vine to describe eyebrows, this two-word phrase means something is "perfectly done" or "flawless."
What is "On Fleek"?
This verb describes someone who is acting irrational, overreacting, or essentially "tripping" or "losing their mind."
What is Tweaking?