Your 3-minute crash course in millennial slang
If you’re getting accustomed to terms like bae, salty and lit, you’ve been spending too much time with a millennial.
And if these words are causing you to scratch your head in bewilderment, trust me, you’re not alone.
I now write monthly promotional newsletters for an upmarket beauty brand that attracts the Kim Ks and Kylies of Melbourne. So I suddenly found myself having to consult my 13-year old daughter and 21-year old copywriting assistant – both shameless Instagram addicts – for a crash course in millennial slang.
And boy was I enlightened.
Too good not to share, here it is: the must-have translator for anyone who writes for, markets to, parents or interacts with a millennial. #writingoals
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Adulting
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When a young person starts fulfilling adult responsibilities. Example: A: You’re paying rent now? B: Yep, I’m adulting.
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Af
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‘As [email protected]#k’. Used to describe something to the extreme.
Example: That guy is cute af
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Bae
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Used to describe girlfriends, boyfriends and best friends. Some suggest it’s an acronym for ‘before anyone else’.
Example: A: Is that your boyfriend? B: Yep, that’s my bae!
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| Basic | Used to describe someone who lacks any interesting characteristics.
Example: Don’t even talk to her, she’s so basic.
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Can’t even
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When someone can’t deal with something because it’s too much.
Example: A: OMG, look at that dog. B: That dog is so adorable I can’t even.
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| Dope | Used to describe something or someone that is cool or awesome.
Example: Ariana Grande is dope!
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| Goals | Something that people aspire to or find inspirational.
Example: A: Look at that sweet couple over there. B: They’re relationship goals.
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| Jelly | Another word for jealous.
Example: Look at her with my ex, I’m so jelly!
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Lit
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When something is off the rails (super fun).
Example: A: Did you go to that party last night? B: Yes, it was lit!
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On fleek
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Used to describe something that is perfect.
Can sometimes be used interchangeably with ‘on point’ and originally used to describe eyebrows. Example: A: Look at my eyebrows! B: Eyebrows on fleek!
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On point
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Describes perfection and can be used in greater contexts than ‘on fleek’.
Example: Her outfit is on point.
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Salty
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Describes an angry person or aggressive behaviour.
Example: A: Alex makes me so angry. B: You’re so salty.
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Savage
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Being harsh, brutal or nasty.
Example: A: You look bad in that selfie. B: Damn, you’re savage!
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Shook
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Shocked or surprised.
Example: A: Trump got elected president. B: What?! I’m SHOOK!
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| Slay | When someone is excelling at something
Example: A: Omg, look at Chloe’s dress! B: Yas Chloe, slay!
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Squad
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Used to describe a group of friends.
Example: A: Do you know Ben? B: Yes, he’s part of my squad.
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Throw shade
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To disrespect or trash talk someone (usually in public).
Example: Katy Perry is always throwing shade at Taylor Swift.
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Woke
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Being aware.
Example: Stay woke about equality.
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Zero chill/no chill
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Meaning 1: when one loses the ability to be calm.
Example: What? Trump got elected? I got no chill! Meaning 2: when one doesn’t care about anything anymore. Example: A: That guy attended class in his pyjamas. B: He’s got zero chill. |
Credits go to the wonderful Victoria Zhu for helping me nut this stuff out. Her explanations were #onpoint.