Welcome to the Slang Watchlist 2024/2025, your guide to the most intriguing new expressions and evolving terms that are shaping modern communication.
In our rapidly changing cultural landscape, slang provides a fascinating glimpse into how language adapts to reflect societal trends and digital influences.
We’re keeping an eye on these terms for two key reasons:
Firstly, they serve as a barometer for emerging social dynamics and digital culture, revealing how new generations express identity, humor, and resistance.
And secondly, they influence broader language trends, often crossing over into mainstream media and everyday conversation.
This blog series will dive into the origins, meanings, and potential longevity of these buzzworthy expressions.
Whether you’re a language enthusiast, cultural commentator, or just curious about the latest linguistic twists, our detailed analysis aims to offer valuable insights into what these slangs reveal about our times.
Join us as we explore the trends, transformations, and playful creativity behind today’s most talked-about expressions.
Why Should You Care?
Slang isn’t just words, it’s cultural currency. It’s how 15-year-olds roast millennials, how TikTokers build empires, and how you avoid sounding like an AI robot at family dinners.
But here’s the kicker: slang moves faster than a viral dance trend. Today’s “gyatt” is tomorrow’s “cheugy,” and we’re here to help you keep up.
How We Hunt Down the Hottest Terms
We’re not just Googling “cool words, I guess?” This list is built by:
- Stalking TikTok Like It’s Our Job (because… it kinda is).
- Eavesdropping on Discord Servants (shoutout to the Minecraft modding communities).
- Collabing with Gen Alpha Sneaks (yes, we bribed a 14-year-old with Robux).
- Tracking Google Trends like FBI agents chasing a meme.
If a term’s here, it’s got staying power, or it’s so gloriously chaotic, we can’t ignore it (looking at you, “Skibidi Toilet”).
21 Slangs We’re Currently Watching and Why
1. Rizz
Definition: Charisma so smooth, it could talk a cat into a bath (still reigning in 2024!).
Origin: Twitch/Gen Z’s shorthand for “charisma” (not the Italian cheese, okay?).
Example: “Alicia got free concert tickets with pure rizz. Teach me.”
Status: 👑 Eternal King (But Evolving)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the Swiss Army knife of slang, works in every context. Flirting? Rizz. Job interviews? Rizz. Surviving group projects? Rizz.
2. Fanum Tax
Definition: Playfully “taxing” (stealing) someone’s food or snacks, no apologies.
Origin: Viralized by streamer Fanum, who’d raid his friends’ fridges mid-livestream.
Example: “Hey, is that your fries? Sorry, but Fanum Tax applies here.”
Status: 📈 Peaking (Late 2023)
Why We’re Watching: It’s not just slang, it’s a whole mood. The term’s blowing up because it turns petty theft into a relatable inside joke.
3. Skibidi
Definition: Nonsense word used to describe chaotic, unhinged vibes (or to mock cringey flexing).
Origin: From the Skibidi Toilet YouTube series, yes, literal singing toilets. The internet never disappoints.
Example: “Bro brought a Bluetooth speaker to the library? Total skibidi energy.”
Status: 💥 Niche-but-Growing (Thanks, TikTok)
Why We’re Watching: It’s gloriously absurd. Gen Alpha’s adopting it as their “yeet,” and brands are already trying (and failing) to capitalize.
4. Ohio
Definition: Code for “this situation is batsht crazy.”
Origin: Memes dunking on Ohio as the “weirdest” US state (sorry, Ohioans!).
Example: “My cat just brought home a shoelace collection. This is so Ohio.”
Status: 🌪️ EVERYWHERE (2023)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the ultimate inside joke for describing chaos. Even Ohio’s tourism board is in on it, that’s cultural impact.
5. Ick
Definition: The instant icky feeling when someone kills your crush/romantic vibe.
Origin: Blew up on UK’s Love Island but went global via TikTok rants.
Example: “He ordered a pumpkin spice latte… and I got the ick.”
Status: 🧊 Cooling (But Still Relevant)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the petty judgey-ness we all feel but never admit. Plus, ick’s spawned spin-offs like “ick speedrun” videos.
6. Delulu
Definition: Short for “delusional”, owning your wild, unrealistic fantasies (often self-aware and tongue-in-cheek).
Origin: K-pop stans coined it to mock (or celebrate) obsessive fangirl/boy behavior.
Example: “I’m delulu enough to think I’ll finish this essay by midnight.”
Status: 📲 Mainstreaming Fast
Why We’re Watching: It’s therapy-speak meets meme culture. Everyone’s using it to laugh at their own chaos.
7. Sigma
Definition: A lone-wolf type who thrives outside social hierarchies (anti-“alpha male”).
Origin: Spawned from hyper-masculine meme forums but got reclaimed ironically.
Example: “Sigma move: ghosting the group chat to rewatch The Office for the 10th time.”
Status: 🐺 Niche but Culturally Charged
Why We’re Watching: It’s a backlash to cringe alpha/beta labels, and a hilarious way to describe introvert pride.
8. Glazed
Definition: Being obsessively hyped about something (or someone) to the point of delusion.
Origin: Started in K-pop stan Twitter, where fans “glaze” their faves with endless praise.
Example: “Ariana’s new album? I’m GLAZED, I’ve streamed it 87 times.”
Status: 🍩 Rising (Late 2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the lovechild of simping and gaslighting. Brands are already using it in cringey ads (don’t be that guy).
9. NPC Behavior
Definition: Acting basic, unoriginal, or like a background character in life.
Origin: Gen Z roasting folks who mindlessly follow trends (thanks, video game NPC memes!).
Example: “Bro wore the same TikTok-viral hoodie as everyone else? Total NPC behavior.”
Status: 🎮 Peak Mainstream (2025)
Why We’re Watching: It’s a savage dig at conformity. Even LinkedIn influencers are crying about it.
10. Midaura
Definition: When someone’s vibe is aggressively average (not bad, just meh).
Origin: A snarky upgrade to “mid,” born in Instagram comment wars.
Example: “Her playlist? Indie songs from 2016. Midaura, honestly.”
Status: 🌪️ EVERYWHERE (Gen Alpha’s favorite insult)
Why We’re Watching: It’s roasting-as-art. Harsh but hilarious, perfect for shady group chats.
11. Bleed
Definition: Spilling drama/tea so juicy, it’s literally life-ruining.
Origin: Twitch streamers describing viral call-out posts that “make careers bleed.”
Example: “Did you see Maya’s finsta? She’s about to BLEED the entire soccer team.”
Status: 🩸 Niche-but-Lethal (2025)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the nuclear option of gossip. Handle with care, or don’t. 👀
12. Pookie Lock
Definition: When you’re so obsessed with your partner, you forget your friends exist.
Origin: Viral sound from a TikTok couple (RIP to their single friends).
Example: “Haven’t seen Zoe in weeks, she’s on Pookie Lock mode with her BF.”
Status: 🔒 Peak Cuffing Season (Winter 2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the “they’re soulmates?” vs. “get a room” debate in one phrase.
13. AI-Phobic
Definition: Refusing to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) out of pride or stubbornness.
Origin: Gen Alpha roasting millennials who “type essays like cavemen.”
Example: “Mr. Davis won’t let us use Grammarly? So AI-phobic, it’s embarrassing.”
Status: 🤖 Surging (2025 Back-to-School Season)
Why We’re Watching: It’s a cultural war cry. The kids are tech-shaming teachers.
14. Biblically Accurate
Definition: Something so absurd, it feels like a cursed Bible meme.
Origin: Gen Z TikTokers describing unhinged thrift-store finds or sleepover stories.
Example: “My cat brought home a single Croc? That’s biblically accurate behavior.”
Status: 📖 Viral on Tumblr 2.0 (2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s Gen Z’s new “cheugy”, a niche diss with legs.
15. Fireboard
Definition: A chaotic group chat where everyone’s arguing (but it’s lowkey entertaining).
Origin: Discord mods comparing heated debates to “dumping fire emojis in a chat.”
Example: “The Bey vs. Taylor thread? Total fireboard, grab popcorn.”
Status: 🔥 Fueling 90% of Gen Alpha DMs (2025)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the modern version of reality TV. Passive-aggressive and iconic.
16. Soup Brained
Definition: Mentally checked out, forgetful, or acting airheaded (affectionate or shady).
Origin: Came from a viral tweet: “My brain is soup after that exam.”
Example: “I forgot my own birthday, I’m so soup brained rn.”
Status: 🥣 Universally Relatable (Late 2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s ADHD-core meets self-deprecating humor. Mood.
17. Chronically Online Take
Definition: An opinion so unhinged, it could only come from someone who lives on the internet.
Origin: Reddit debates spilling into IRL convos (e.g., “Actually, pineapple pizza is a war crime”).
Example: “He said ‘IRL relationships are mid’? Chronically online take, bro.”
Status: ☠️ The Burn of 2025
Why We’re Watching: It’s the ultimate shutdown for terminally online hot takes.
18. Ghostlighting
Definition: Pretending to be “busy” to dodge plans… while aggressively liking their IG Stories.
Origin: Born from group chats roasting friends who “mysteriously” vanish until a viral meme drops.
Example: “Jamal ghostlighted the party but liked my beach pics at 2 AM. Pick a struggle.”
Status: 👻 Passive-Aggressive King (2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the ghosting upgrade we deserve. Call-out culture meets petty perfection.
19. Term: DMsaster
Definition: A DM conversation so awkward, it should be studied in cringe anthropology.
Origin: Screenshots of flirty texts gone wrong (“Sent ‘wyd?’ to my crush. They replied ‘crying.’”).
Example: “Told my boss ‘ILY’ instead of ‘IDC’… full-blown DMsaster.”
Status: 📱 Gen Z’s Roman Empire (2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the digital equivalent of tripping onstage. Painful but entertaining.
19. Screenslaver
Definition: Someone addicted to doomscrolling (and proud of it).
Origin: Gen Alpha roasting parents who “still use Facebook like it’s 2012.”
Example: “My mom’s a screenslaver, she’s on TikTok longer than my baby cousin.”
Status: 📵 Low-Key Judgy (2025)
Why We’re Watching: It’s self-aware shame. We’re all screenslavers… but who’s admitting it?
20. Subtlflex
Definition: Flexing wealth/talent so subtly, it’s almost an art form (e.g., “Ugh, my Rolex is so heavy”).
Origin: Roasting influencers who “accidentally” flash designer tags in GRWMs.
Example: “She ‘casually’ mentioned her Harvard interview… subtlflex much?”
Status: 💎 Quietly Loud (2024)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the humblebrag’s evil twin. Savage, sneaky, and so Gen Z.
Your Turn, Slang Sommeliers
Which of these have you already dropped IRL? Tag that friend who’s a screenslaver or confess your worst DMsaster below. And if you’re still using “lit”… maybe let rizz adopt you. 😏
21. Gyatt
Definition: Reaction to something jaw-dropping (often used ironically for exaggerated shock, like seeing someone’s gym selfie).
Origin: Twitch/Gen Z, born from mishearing “God damn!” as “GYATT damn!” in gaming streams.
Example: “GYATT, did you see that sunset?!”
Status: 🚀 Rising (Summer 2023)
Why We’re Watching: It’s the perfect hybrid of humor and hype. Teens are using it to roast and celebrate, sometimes in the same sentence.
Share yyour thoughts
This isn’t a one-way convo. Got a term we missed? Drop it in the comments and roast us (respectfully). Spot your boss using “lorecore” unironically? Tag them. Think “gyatt” should’ve retired in 2023? Fight us.
Final Warning
🚨 Update your bookmarks, we refresh this list weekly as new slang drops, flames out, or gets adopted by cringey ads (RIP “yeet”).
P.S. If you’re still saying “on fleek” or “bae,” close this tab and rethink your life choices. We’ll wait. 😉