Shortened language, or slang, has drastically changed over the years, with new generations coming up with crazy words that help make the English language all the more “groovy.” Baby Boomers—people born in the years 1946–1964—fit within the age range of Generation Z’s grandparents, and likely struggle to keep up with the new words that people two generations down the line have created. These older people use phrases that Gen Z looks down upon, while having no clue what Gen Z means when using words such as “lit” and “bussin.’” The cultural gaps expand between generations over the years and as the times and social expectations of society change. Language evolves, exhibiting the growth people experience while changing with the times. While some feel “salty” about the increased usage of social media platforms—especially with the younger generations—apps like TikTok have proven to be vital in the movement of language trends.
"What’s a video that lives in your head rent free?” TikTokers all over the globe came together to share funny videos from dogs walking into trees, to someone falling down a flight of stairs. The tag #rentfree went viral; thousands of people posted hilarious videos that had people laughing while watching. “Rent free” means that the topic constantly stays in the back of someone’s mind, always making them laugh when it pops back up in conversation. The phrase “rent free” has now been normalized, as it can be causally dropped while talking, which may leave Boomers slightly confused.
As briefly mentioned before, some videos, photos, or memes have Gen Z “dead.” No, not literally dead, but laughing so hard that they feel like they can’t breathe. Many teens text back “I’m dead” when receiving a funny text, while others use the skull emoji to show their laughter. Fear not, Boomers, if your grandchildren respond to a text with a skull emoji.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “slaps” can be defined as, “to strike sharply with or as if with an open hand.” Yes, the word can be used to describe someone striking another, but as seen on TikTok, the word no longer has the same meaning as it once did. Dictionary described the word as a “slang verb meaning to be excellent or amazing.” For example, instead of saying, “Did you hear the new Drake album? It's so good,” Gen Z would say, “Did you hear the new Drake album? It totally slaps!” The word has two completely different meanings, but somehow came from the same origin.
It can be hard to keep up with the high-speed evolution of language when social media has been urging the entrance of new words in the mainstream incessantly, but thankfully websites like Dictionary have their own “Slang Dictionary,” documenting all of the new and improved words that generations have created.
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