So, what does a 43 year-old Sociology teacher know about teen slang? Apparently plenty. After James Callahan did some of his own research with his own high school students (and some cross-section internet research), he found some common themes here.
Most words and phrases are HI KEY (very obvious), but others? Not so much. In fact, many of these don't make any sense to anyone over 25. That is-most likely-by design. Generation Z would like to keep it that way. But, after checking with my 21 year-old daughter over the weekend, she told me this list was SLAPS (of high quality and/or accurate). Even if some teens might say this action was A FORCE (unnecessary/excessive effort), we parents need all the help we can get.
CLICK HERE FOR MR. CALLAHAN'S COMPLETE LIST.
OK, time to SPILL THE TEA.
A FORCE-Unnecessarily excessive effort.
BANG 30’s-To fight someone; physical altercation.
BEAT YOUR FACE/CAKE YOUR FACE-Apply make-up.
BOPS-A modern enjoyable song.
BOUTA-I am about to…
BREAD/GET THAT BREAD-Future Money ( I knew that one!)
CATCH A FADE/CATCH THESE HANDS- To get punched out.
CLAP BACK-Respond to an insult with an equal or greater insult.
CLAPPED-A crazy person; someone who was punched.
CRACKY-One who juuls/smokes/weed
CROSS FADE-Double inebriated
DON’T DO ME DIRTY-Don’t cross me
EXTRA-too much
FINESSE – To steal
FLEXED ON- A verbal gesture of dominance
THE GAME- Life
NUNYA-None of your business.
ON BLAST-Suspicious.
GOTTA BLAST—I have to leave .
HARDO-A try-hard.
HI-KEY- Very obvious.
SECURE(D) THE BAG-Money received.
SHLITTY-A good time.
SIS-Exclamation of disbelief/or universal nickname.
SLAPS- Of high quality.
SLAY-Do really well
SMACKS-A really tasty treat.
SNACK-A person who’s very attractive or looks good.
STAY UP-You’ll be OK.
SUS-Suspicious; shady.
TAKE THE L-Willingly making a sacrifice.
TEA/SPILL THE TEA-Gossip; what your heard. Or confession.