Our Teens (2010-2016)
In 2011, people around the world made a widespread trend out of lying face down in public or unusual places and taking a photo.
Planking
This genre is defined by its fusion of Jamaican dancehall, Latin rhythms, and U.S. hip-hop, all built around the distinctive "Dembow" rhythmic pattern, featuring Spanish rap/singing, and originating in Puerto Rico and Panama
Reggaeton
This Netflix docuseries about the eccentric world of big cat enthusiasts, became a massive cultural phenomenon and source of countless memes during early quarantine.
Tiger King
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.
Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" (implied by "hit me like a ton of bricks").
Hyperbole
Alexis' favorite cuisine:
It's a broad and diverse cuisine, known for its rich flavors from spices, chickpeas, hummus and kebabs.
Middle Eastern
In 2010, this album was a landmark pop album famous for its flawless, catchy singles, vibrant 80s-inspired sound, and themes of youthful romance, empowerment, and fun, becoming a cultural phenomenon with five No. 1 hits (tying Michael Jackson's record) and defining the peak of "mega-pop" in the early 2010s.
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream
Where Techno music originated
Detroit, Michigan
This artist was a versatile Pittsburgh rapper, singer, and producer known for his evolution from catchy "frat rap" to deeply introspective, genre-blending music, exploring themes of addiction, depression, fame, and love with raw honesty before his untimely death from an accidental overdose in 2018 at age 26.
Mac Miller
Words that imitate the natural sounds of something
Example: "The door went bang!"
Onomatopoeia
Alexis' Favorite movie:
This movie is about a former pilot who leaves his family to lead a mission through a wormhole to find a new habitable planet for humanity, as Earth faces extinction from blight.
It's acclaimed for its stunning visuals, scientifically grounded concepts like relativity, and its deep exploration of love, time, and human perseverance, suggesting love is a tangible force that transcends dimensions and time, guiding humanity's survival.
Interstellar
This short documentary film released by a non-profit group went unexpectedly viral overnight in 2012, receiving an unprecedented level of global media attention (and thousands of retweets from celebrities and politicians).
Kony 2012
Current Broadway theater, but former quintessential disco club, famous for its celebrity-studded parties and strict door policy
Studio 54
Billboard's Top Artist (Overall) for 2019 & 2020
Post Malone
A phrase whose meaning isn't obvious from its words.
Example: "It's raining cats and dogs".
Idiom
Favorite activity to do with friends:
It's free!
Going for walks
Game of Thrones
The name of the condition that allows you to see colors when you hear music
Synesthesia
In the Chinese Zodiac, 2026 is the Year of what Animal and what Element? It is a rare combination occurring once every 60 years, bringing intensified energy, passion, ambition, and a call for strategic action.
Fire Horse (Red Horse)
Gives human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or animals.
Example: "The wind whispered in my ears".
Personification
1st CD Alexis ever bought:
This iconic American R&B girl group, which got its name from the Bible (Isaiah). This was their 5th and final studio album released in 2004.
Destiny Fulfilled (+100!)
Destiny's Child
This exploded into mainstream pop culture in 2013, largely driven by Miley Cyrus's widely publicized VMA performance, which led to the word being added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Twerking
This music's nightlife vibe is intense, blending dark, gritty street origins with booming 808s, fast hi-hats, and heavy bass, creating an energetic yet often hedonistic atmosphere for dancing, clubbing, and celebrating wealth, though its origins spark debate about glorifying violence versus reclaiming narratives.
Trap
A viral media brand popular in the 2010s that produced videos showcasing uninhibited college party culture. The videos featured heavy drinking, dancing, and general rowdiness at campuses across the United States.
"I'm Shmacked"
The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words.
Example: "Sally sold seashells"
Alliteration
Alexis' favorite reality TV show:
A Reality TV game show where contestants live together in a house isolated from the outside world, constantly monitored by cameras and microphones.
Big Brother