13 slang words Gen Zers are using in 2024 and what they really mean
- Just like the generations before them, Gen Z uses an extensive list of slang words.
- "Bussin," "ick," and "mid" are popular among Gen Z.
Just like fashion, slang goes in and out of style.
Think about it: When was the last time you heard anyone say "YOLO," "da bomb," or "tubular" unironically?
Social media has made it even harder to keep up with the trends, as anyone and everyone can share and adopt others' use of language.
John Baugh, a linguist at Washington University in St. Louis, told Business Insider in 2023, "Even though slang has always existed, the emergence of social media has created a situation where the potential for slang virality has increased."
While this can be an exciting opportunity for people to connect and bond over language, one major issue is appropriation. Many of the slang words attributed to Gen Z — defined by the Pew Research Center as anyone born between 1997 and 2012 — were actually created by members of marginalized communities, most notably Black and LGBTQ+ communities, who often aren't credited for their contributions.
The language is shared online in circles of people who understand its nuance, and it's later appropriated by those who don't know where it came from or fully understand how to use it. And it's easy for those who created it to see when it's being used incorrectly.
Brands or publications trying to attract attention from Gen Z, therefore, need to take care when using slang — at best, they could make a cringey mistake, and at worst, they could offend.
Gen Z values authenticity more than older generations did. Chad Kessler, who was then global brand president at American Eagle, told Business Insider in 2019, "Gen Z wants to support and participate in brands that they believe in and that reflect them."
"They are loyal to brands that they feel understand them and reflect their values," he added.
As slang continues to evolve daily in person and on the internet, all these words and phrases are subject to their respective end, where they're axed from public use and deemed "uncool."
But at least for now, here are 13 slang terms Gen Z is using in 2024 and what they mean.
If you're told to do something "for the plot," it means to do it for the experience.
Saying "for the plot" is a fun way for Gen Z to encourage each other to do the crazy, fun things that make storytelling fun when you're older.
Urban Dictionary defines "for the plot" as "the conscious decision to see yourself as the main character of the story that is your life. You maintain the outlook that every moment - good or bad - is merely a plot point for your larger narrative."
Whether you swipe right on Tinder or go out spontaneously on a Tuesday night, it's all about the plot.
Still popular from 2023, someone with "rizz" has charisma.
It's true, Gen Z has an affinity for abbreviations.
A person with "rizz," is confident, charming, and generally successful in romantic endeavors.
An "ick" is a turnoff.
Ah, the ick. The term first gained widespread popularity years ago after "Love Island" contestant Olivia Attwood (now Olivia Attwood Dack) used it during Season 3, but "the ick" remains a staple in Gen Z vocabulary.
If someone gives you "the ick," it means they've turned you off, either through their actions or behaviors or something they said.
Business Insider reported "icks" can come from actions as small as using the "wrong" emoji in conversation to as large as treating a service industry worker poorly.
It's all about personal preference.
If someone lives "rent-free" in your mind, you think about them a lot.
They're taking up so much space in your mind that they might as well be paying rent.
Though often associated with specific people like a crush or celebrity, the phrase can also apply to events. For example, someone may say Beychella (Beyoncé's iconic 2018 Coachella performance) lives rent-free in their mind.
"Mother" is a popular term of endearment for female celebrities that originated in the LGBTQ+ community.
The New York Times reported in 2023 that the term comes from the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ ballroom scene, "a queer subculture in which members are organized into so-called houses often led by a 'mother.'"
"Mother" is a woman deserving of your respect who had a profound influence on your life.
But who is "mother" depends on who you ask. For some, it's Diana Ross. For others, it's Rihanna. The internet would argue it's also Reneé Rapp, Mariah Carey, Lana Del Rey … the list goes on.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez played a house mother in the groundbreaking series "Pose" and told The New York Times that "anyone should be able to use a term that is trending," but stressed it's important to know where it comes from.
"The boundaries are knowing where it came from, always letting the world know where the culture came from," she added.
If a person "ate," they executed something flawlessly.
Often associated with fashion and beauty, saying someone "ate" is a complimentary way of saying they look amazing and did a great job.
Look at almost any picture of Zendaya on the red carpet, and it'd be correct to say, "She ate."
"Left no crumbs" is a continuation of "ate" that's used as additional emphasis.
If you hear "she ate," you may often hear "and left no crumbs" immediately after.
The additional phrase helps emphasize how perfect the person's execution was, though it can be used on its own, too.
For example, "Blake Lively ate and left no crumbs at the 2022 Met Gala." Meaning that she executed the theme perfectly — everything from her dress to her glam to the presentation on the red carpet was flawless.
"Bussin'" or "buss" means it's very good.
Often used to describe food, "bussin'" is a word that originated in the Black community and means extremely good or delicious, per Merriam-Webster.
So, if your kid says dinner tonight was "bussin'" just know you did a great job.
Something is "mid" if it falls short of expectations.
Whether it's a dress on the red carpet, a new TV show, or a pasta recipe, something that's "mid" is mediocre.
Business Insider reported that Kaley Cuoco's 2024 Critics Choice Awards gown missed the mark, so it could also be described as mid.
Another way to say focus is "lock in."
You can "lock in" on an assignment, cleaning your apartment, or even a video game.
"Let him cook" means don't stop him from doing his thing.
Although NC State ultimately lost to Purdue in the Final Four, DJ Burns Jr. was a standout in the 2024 March Madness Tournament.
His coaches clearly saw how impactful his performance was in their tournament run and decided to "let him cook," upping his average minutes from 24.8 per game in the regular season to 28.2 in their five games of the tournament, per ESPN.
Why call yourself delusional when you can say "delulu"?
As we've already established, Gen Z loves abbreviations.
"Delulu" simply means delusional.
Gen Zer Reneé Rapp, 24, famously told the "Today" show in 2023 that what gave her confidence was delusion. She followed up on her comments in GEM Magazine in 2024, saying, "It's so interesting because I feel like delusion is cute now. Delusion is becoming slay. It's very funny and silly."
"It's just a weird, innate belief in myself. And a real hunger to do something that I love so much. So, I think delusion is like my little BFF. It's got me where I am right now," Rapp added.
As the kids say, delulu is the solulu.
(Delusion is the solution).
"Sus" is short for suspicious.
"Love Is Blind" fans know that Sarah Ann and Jeramey's behavior on Season 6 was sus.
Like Chelsea said in the reunion, who really stays out talking to someone — who's not their financé — till 5 a.m.? And can you really trust someone who lies about their location even after they've shared it? Didn't think so.
Advertisement