pop culture and entertainment
One variant of this internet-spawned universe involves a "Scientist" character, and the entire surreal series centers on a war between humanoid figures with cameras for heads and toilets containing human heads
Skibidi Toilet
This four-letter word originally derived from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) means to possess style, charm, or romantic charisma.
Rizz
This sandbox video game platform, which allows users to program games and play games created by others, went public in 2021 and features virtual currency called "Robux.
Roblox
In 2019, this Swedish teenager sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to attend a UN Climate Action Summit rather than flying, embodying Gen Z’s environmental activism. For 10 points, name this activist who famously told world leaders, "How dare you!"
Greta Thunberg
This physical toy trend features soft, flexible silicone bubbles built into plastic frames that users press down to create a satisfying popping sound, acting as a massive stress-relief trend during the early 2020s.
Pop Its
This actress played the young version of a character in The Haunting of Hill House before achieving massive fame for portraying a deadpan, cello-playing teenager at Nevermore Academy.
Jenna Ortega
This term originally described a physical mechanism used in animation but was repurposed by Gen Z to describe the sudden, intense feeling of disgust or repulsion caused by a romantic partner’s minor actions.
The Ick
This Artificial Intelligence chatbot, launched by OpenAI in November 2022, revolutionized how Gen Z approaches homework, essay writing, and coding
ChatGPT
This young Pakistani activist survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 and went on to become the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate at age 17. For 10 points, name her.
Malala Yousafzai
This specific model of footwear experienced a massive explosion among Gen Alpha kids who customized them with small plastic charms called "Jibbitz.
Crocs
This television series set in the fictional town of East Highland features highly stylized cinematography, a soundtrack by Labrinth, and a controversial, gritty look at teenage addiction.
Euphoria
This two-word phrase was popularized by a viral TikTok video explaining corporate boundaries, but evolved into an ironic Gen Z catchphrase used to describe doing the bare minimum to avoid burnout.
Quiet Quitting
This video game franchise saw its fifth main installment, subtitled New Horizons, release in March 2020, perfectly coinciding with global pandemic lockdowns
Animal Crossing
This mental health condition, characterized by persistent worry and tension, is statistically diagnosed at a far higher rate in Gen Z than any previous generation.
Anxiety
This highly specific brand of plush toys, launched by Kellytoy in 2017, features ultra-soft, egg-shaped stuffed animals with unique names and backstories.
Squishmallows
This film production company, founded by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges, became a favorite among Gen Z film buffs for its "prestige indie" vibe, producing films like Midsommar, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Talk to Me
A24
This slang term is used to describe someone who is overly defensive of or obsessed with a celebrity or public figure, or it can be used as a verb meaning to act as an obsessive fan.
Stan
This indie psychological horror game, created by Scott Cawthon, features animatronic characters like Freddy Fazbear and became a massive lore-hunting obsession on YouTube
Five Nights at Freddy's
This system of identifying oneself using words like "They/Them," "He/Him," or "She/Her" is a standard feature in Gen Z social media bios, reflecting fluid views on gender identity.
Personal Pronouns
This virtual entertainment group and YouTube channel features animated music videos with characters like Boxy, Foxy, and Rocky, who play popular sandbox video games
LankyBox
This Sydney-born artist, whose real name is Charlton Howard, gained international fame through his collaborations with Juice WRLD and his 2021 chart-topping single "Stay" with Justin Bieber. For 10 points, name this Gen Z artist.
The Kid LAROI
This physical object became a massive Gen Z status symbol and viral sensation in late 2023 and early 2024, leading to retail stampedes for limited-edition target collaborations.
Stanley
This e-commerce app, featuring the slogan "Shop like a billionaire," went viral in 2023 with its heavily gamified, ultra-low-priced consumer goods.
Temu
This American gymnast, widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, became a Gen Z hero for her physical dominance as well as her decision to withdraw from several events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health.
Simone Biles
This content creator, known for his high-energy gaming videos and brightly colored merch, often collaborates with his wife Brianna and is a staple of Gen Alpha's YouTube subscription
PrestonPlayz