A Much Needed Sequel On Millennial Vocabulary and Slang
Last year’s Millennial Vocabulary Guide was a colossal hit and still comes up in conversation — and in a recent one with my friend Lia, I realized I should revisit the space. After all, “Squad” is “Fam” now and I needed to know what the hell “Snatched” means. Acronyms are also even more commonplace and prevalent than ever — anyone concerned we’re working up to fewer complete words in everyday conversation?
It’s only been a little more than a year, but SO MUCH can change in a year!
@: So, this was surprising to me, but I guess on group texts, you can use that “@” symbol and one person’s name to ask them something directly. Why you would do this and not just text them on their own is beyond me. But then, I don’t understand most of the things on this page.
BAIII: Is this “bae?” Is it “boo?” Is it “Bey?” Apparently it’s none of those. It’s a synonym for a “lad” or young man. OR, it might be “bye” said in a sassy way. I’ve seen both in my scientific research.
Basic: I was surprised to find I didn’t include this last year. But “basic” is more instinct than definitive. Think of girls who go to Coachella or wear Uggs with shorts, Moms who drink Pumpkin Spice Lattes and predictably stroll through Target. It’s a lack of sophistication and uniqueness.
Beat: Unattractive — probably derived from “beat with the ugly stick.” As in “Yo, that group of girls was beat.” However in some circles it can also mean applying makeup as in “Beat that face, bitch!”
Boots: This one was a little tough to track down but I think it was created by YouTube star Todrick Hall. He uses it for emphasis at the end of a sentence. For example, “I am so tired, boots.” This is just speculation but maybe it’s derived from when one adds “to boot” to a statement…?
CC: Cute couple.
Clap back: When someone insults you, you fire back! Search Twitter for the term. Enjoy.
Cuffing: Baby, it’s cold outside so let’s hook up. A lot. It’s CUFFING SEASON. (See also: “Thirsty.”)
dfmo: Dance floor make out. (HOT!)
Doing the most: Used as a statement to describe an action above and beyond the call of duty. “You threw him a surprise party and bought him all those presents? You are doing the most.”
Dragged: Ever gotten tangled up in a massive, argumentative Facebook thread? You mighta gotten dragged all over that thread, my friend.
dw: Don’t worry.
Extra: Not to be confused with “doing the most” but similarly means behavior above the norm. “Mom’s behavior was extra when she refused to accept Tim’s apology.” It’s traditionally negative to indicate inappropriate over-the-top anything, even appearances. You might also say “That guy is extra.”
f: “Eff” and “effing” weren’t short enough.
Fam: The new “Squad,” if you will. A way to describe your people. You can use it to explain a group as in “that’s my fam,” however you can also use it singularly. If your mom gave you a couple bucks, you might say “thanks, fam,” as you walk out the door.
Feels: A rush of emotion or many emotions that simply cannot be adequately explained.
OMG that face! That panda is giving me ALL THE FEELS. <3
Finesse: You might finesse a lady out of her undergarments or you might finesse a bag of cheetos. You’re basically stealing something.
FTW: For the win. It’s not new but apparently a few people think this can also mean “fuck the world.” That’s sort of…. upsetting?
FWIW: For what it’s worth….
Gagging: You are gagging for something you want very badly. You cannot contain yourself!
Ghosting: This one hurt my heart a little. I’ve been it’s victim. It’s the act of suddenly, and without explanation, ceasing all communication with someone the subject is dating, but no longer wishes to date.
Goals AF: We know from our last lesson what “AF” means. This is kind of a new “squad goals.” When you see someone living the life you want, it is “Goals AF.”
GOAT: GREATEST OF ALL TIME. Very commonly used in sports. Often represented by just the goat emoji. Was also a fairly terrible Nick Jonas movie about fraternity hazing….
Hunty: Hunty is a combination of “honey” and, well, the c-word. It originated in the drag world and was popularized on the show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” There was some debate on my Facebook page as to whether or not a heterosexual person can use this word. I do not know if the world will ever reach a verdict in this very important discussion.
Insta: You do not need to say “Instagram” full out anymore. You can also use “IG” on social.
JFC: Jesus Fucking Christ.
Litty: VERY lit.
narp – Not a real person; “I’m narping around today.” (I kinda dig that one. I feel pretty narpy sometimes….)
OTP: One True Pairing. Your OTP is a couple you are emotionally invested in. My OTP is Barack and Michelle. If they ever break up, I’ll totes die. Runners up: Ellen and Portia, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Neil Patrick Haris and David Burtka.
RBF: Resting. Bitch. Face. You can’t help it. It’s just how your face looks, right?
Receipts: I keep seeing this one and I actually really like it. It refers to evidence of a person’s hypocrisy, often pulled from past social media or text conversations. Example: “She called me basic, but I have receipts from her Insta of her drinking a PSL.”
rn: Right now.
Salty: Being pissed. As in “I’m a little salty over that loss, sis.”
Savage: I’ve seen this a couple ways. I’ve seen it used in lieu of “badass” but I’ve also seen it used in lieu of “brutal.” So you tell me, youngins….
Ship: OMG. I have the hardest time with this one. Every time I think I’m using it right, someone tells me I’m failing. I read the other day in some blog or another that “Ship is one of the most important terms on the Internet.” (Really???) It comes from the word relationship,, obviously. You “ship” the two people you want to be in a relationship. So, if you think Olivia Pope and Fitz Grant (from “Scandal”) should be together, you ship Olivia and Fitz. I think. I guess.
Sis: We are supposed to use this now, instead of “bro.”
Slide into my/the DMs: When you start a direct message chain on a social media platform, with the hopes of achieving a booty call.
Snatched: So now, a year later, I’ve learned that “snatched” is the new fleek or on point. Snatched can also replace slay…. I think. Anything from your eyebrows to your outfit can be snatched. If your eyebrows are slaying, they’re snatched. If your outfit is on point, it’s snatched.
Stan: Stan is the internet’s new word for a hardcore fan. If it reminds you of Eminem’s song of the same name, that’ because – quite obviously – it came from it. You can also use it as a verb, as in “stanning letters.”
Stunt: To show off. Example: “He sure knows how to stunt, y’all.”
Sus: Comes out of the word suspect. “Remember when Cady gave Regina George those ‘weight loss’ bars? That was sus.”
Swoll: Buff. Short for “swollen.”
TFTI: Thanks for the invite.
TFW: That feeling when….
Thirsty: You want it baaaaad.
TLDR: Too long, didn’t read. Good for those 9 paragraph Facebook statuses, right?
Triggered: Well, this has much more to do with things like PTSD but apparently the kids are using it in everyday conversation now: “Dave was triggered because he hates the sound of gum chewing.”
V: Instead of typing out “very.” Because we don’t have to bother with that nonsense now…
Woes: Another one to thank Drake for. It refers to your friends: “Spent the day shopping with my woes.”
Woke: As in “Stay Woke” or “Stay Woke AF.” Being hyper-aware.
YoPro: Young professional.
* * *
Special thanks once again to my Facebook friends who provided ample content for this post.
Did I miss something? Make sure it wasn’t in last year’s glossary or leave a comment!
LOL, I actually liked “Goat” the movie :). Great list.