A parent’s guide to teenage slang
With school back in session, it’s the perfect time for parents to brush up on the latest teenage slang. Young people tend to have a language of their own — new words and phrases that make adults scratch their heads. #getusedtoit
If you’re someone like me who likes to stay current or if you’re feeling lost in textation, the definitive online lexicon for streetwise lingo is UrbanDictionary.com. Unfortunately, seven of the top 10 words trending this month are unprintable here. So I did the next best thing — I asked my teenage nephews what words their friends are currently using. #InquringMindsWantToKnow.
Here is a partial list:
Bae
DEFINE IT: noun. “Before Anyone Else”. Used as a word for “girlfriend” or “boyfriend”, unless you’re in Denmark. Similar to the French endearment, “petit bébé.”
SAY IT: “I just want to be with my bae tonight.”
Bounce
DEFINE IT: verb. To exit a location or situation. The letter “z” is often added to make the term even more ghettofied.
SAY IT: “This party is boring. Let’s bounce.”
Cray Cray
DEFINE IT: adjective. Crazy.
SAY IT: “That screb is cray cray!”
Cupcaking
DEFINE IT: verb. Flirting or being flirtatious.
SAY IT: “Stop cupcaking with my bae!
Grind
DEFINE IT: Used to express the process of doing something difficult. You have to be “on” a grind. It modifies the preexisting process you are discussing. After all, nothing is easy when you are a teen.
SAY IT: “I’m on that midterms grind, I have to study at the library this weekend!”
Mad
DEFINE IT: Adverb. Translates into “a lot” or “extremely.” Can be used almost interchangeably with “very.” Because “very” is very lame, and “mad” is mad awesome.
SAY IT: “Yo, Sarah is, like, mad chill. She’s one of the coolest chicks I know. I want to ask her to prom.”
Mupload
DEFINE IT: verb. Used to replace “Mobile Upload” with one easy word. Most commonly referred to when using Facebook’s phone to internet picture uploading service.
SAY IT: “That was SUCH a great selfie. Mupload it to Facebook!”
Hashtag
DEFINE IT: Used in everyday spoken conversation to add some parenthetical meaning, emotion or feeling, whether it’s sarcastic or sincere, towards something or someone.
SAY IT: “Did you hear Lisa is dating that senior guy? Hashtag WHATEVER.”
Ratchet
DEFINE IT: noun. Someone or something that is ugly, gross, annoying, unappealing, broken, etc.
SAY IT: “Man my car is so ratchet. I need a new one!”
Screb
DEFINE IT: noun. A dirty, unliked person.
SAY IT: “Mike is a nasty little screb.”
Tight
DEFINE IT: adjective. Stylish, cool, having everything together. Pronounced as “Tiiight.” Used for most anything good including; ideas, events, occurrences, or to describe an activity.
SAY IT: “Did you see his ride, it was tight.”
Turn Up
DEFINE IT: Getting loose, getting wild and getting the party started. Also can be used ironically.
SAY IT: “Did you hear Tracy is hosting an open house rager tonight? TURN UP!”
YOLO
DEFINE IT: “You Only Live Once.” That’s “carpe diem” for not-so-smart people.
SAY IT: “Don’t be scared man. YOLO!”
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com
