Say What? A Grandparent's Guide to Kids' Slang

Much to the chagrin of anyone from the Buckeye State, "Ohio" is slang for a putdown on today's school playgrounds. The good news is that this unique replacement for "the worst" probably won't stick.

Such is the nature of slang.

Each generation has its own vernacular, much of which doesn't make sense. How children pick up the terms may be a bit dubious and many so-called new words have roots dating back centuries or even millennia. In general, this early form of youthful expression is meant in good fun.

"Humans are incredibly creative. We love to toy around with language," says Grant Barrett, a noted linguist and host of the radio show, "A Way With Words." "It's one of the most interesting things we do."

"Interesting" might be one way older generations describe how children speak. "Confusing" could easily be another for adults over 50 trying to keep up with their young kin.

If "sus" and "rizz" sound familiar to you then you are not alone. They are among the most common slang terms used among today's youth. And while these words have their roots in traditional language ("suspect" and "charisma"), older people trying to use them in context can be problematic

In fact, many academics suggest grandparents – and parents for that matter – think twice before joining in the fun.

"Older generations should absolutely not try to use youth slang," says Zenzi M. Griffin, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin who studies psychological processes that result in speech. "Slang signals in-groups and grandparents are not part of youth's in-group."

Part of Hanna Kemble's unofficial job description as school counselor at Indian Hills Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas, is the unenviable task of keeping up with slang words.

"I would say it changes weekly," says Kemble, a 2025 finalist for school counselor of the year. "Then they're combining words. So then you're like, 'Wait, does that mean 'good' or does that mean 'bad?''"

Depending on parenting preferences, a significant portion of Generation Alpha – born between 2010 and 2024 – doesn't have access to a device or is blocked from certain social media channels. Yet that doesn't seem to stop the influence of YouTube and TikTok on youth.

In fact, one of the most prevalent among elementary age children is "skibidi," which traces back to the YouTube short series, "Skibidi Toilet" [click at your own risk].

That's to be expected, notes Barrett. All it takes is a few children to adopt a word for it to spread. Young women tend to be language influencers more than boys, Barrett adds.

"They tend to be the creative driving force," he says. "Young men [tend to] do it for themselves, and women tend to be searching for collaboration and organization."

As Griffin indicated, developing a language is a common method to develop a community. For example, in-jokes can last years or longer among adults who are long-time friends.

Kemble, on the frontlines of the playful banter, says most terms she hears are meant as compliments.

For instance, the following words are considered high praise, according to a poll of a youth soccer team in suburban Atlanta:

• He or she “ate” – They crushed it, or were awesome
• “Slay” – A common turn of phrase among girls similar to adults saying, “You killed it.”
• “Rizz” – Short for charisma or charismatic
• “Bossin” or “Bussin” – Extremely good
• “Sigma” – The leader, which ironically among older generations is called “The Alpha.” A second definition is “cool.”

"A lot of times [slang] is being used in fun ways," Kemble says. "Yes, they're definitely zinging each other but it's a sign of being creative."

Some less positive words being thrown around include:

• “Sus” – Suspect or suspicious
• “Tweaking” – Behaving strangely and/or being agitated
• “Sell” – To do badly at something, like a test of a subject
• “Skibidy Ohio” – The worst (“Skibidy” alone means cool)

In their own class are "Gyatt" – a big backside – and "Mew" – making yourself have a sharp jawline by sucking in your mouth.

Barrett, 55, says slang is born, at least in part, as a form of rebellion among an age group that's told what to do regularly. Given all that parents and guardians have to worry about already, slang is mere child's play, he adds.

That said, he and Kemble agree slang presents a rare opportunity for kids to be the teachers. They encourage parents and grandparents who hear words that they don't understand to ask the child to describe their meaning. The intergenerational conversation builds rapport, empowers children, and lays the foundation for a stronger relationship.

"Suddenly they trust you more for a lot of other things," Barrett says of the children. "They [might] come to you later when they have a real issue or a real problem, something else that is a little more delicate or complex."

Kemble adds that if adults are concerned the slang could be offensive, there are online resources at their disposal, including the Urban Dictionary. She also regularly views social media postings by Mr. Lindsay, who has earned a large following by providing humorous children's vocabulary lessons online.

Gerald Cohen, a professor of foreign languages at Missouri University of Science and Technology, cautions adults not to push their luck trying out slang.

"My impression is that children do not appreciate grandparents adopting their lingo," says Cohen, who is a grandfather himself. "Kids' lingo is the lingo of their generation, and grandparents by definition (however much loved) are outsiders to that generation. As a general rule, elders should stay in their own lane."

Worse yet to an etymologist, overeager grandparents may prematurely stifle language before it has run its course.

"There's nothing that spells the death knell of a youth slang term more effectively than its adoption by members of an older generation," Cohen says.

Matt Swenson is a freelance journalist based in Atlanta with 25 years of experience at various newspapers and magazines. He has two children in Generation Alpha. Read More