Ever scroll through TikTok and feel like you’re stuck in a parallel universe where everyone’s speaking a different language?
Yeah, me too.
Turns out, it’s not a parallel universe (unless…?). It’s just Gen Z doing their thing – creating slang faster than TikTok trends come and go.
Listen, we Millennials are the OG internet generation. We invented cyber slang (BRB, anyone?). But even we gotta admit, keeping up with these young’uns is harder than explaining to your parents what a “like” even does.
But here’s the deal:
Understanding TikTok slang is crucial if you:
- Want to actually understand what the heck those TikToks are about
- Don’t want to be “that” Millennial who uses “lit” unironically in 2023
- Plan to use TikTok for, ya know, actual marketing stuff (because it’s not just for kids anymore)
Consider this your official Millennial’s Guide to Decoding TikTok. I’ve compiled all the slang terms you actually need to know, broken down so even your parents could understand (maybe).
Buckle up, buttercup. Let’s learn us some TikTok.
The Essential TikTok Slang Dictionary for Millennials: From “Cheugy” to “Sheesh”
We’re not aiming to be fluent in Gen Z here. That’s a fool’s errand. Our goal? To understand enough to navigate the platform, get the jokes, and avoid embarrassing ourselves.
Here are the must-know terms:
1. Cheugy
- Translation: Something that’s outdated, trying too hard, or basically the opposite of cool. Think “Live, Laugh, Love” signs or those chevron patterned shirts we all wore in 2014.
- Millennial Equivalent: So 2000 and late.
- How to Use It: “Ugh, that influencer’s feed is so cheugy with all those inspirational quotes.”
2. Drip
- Translation: Impeccable style, usually referring to clothes or accessories. Think killer outfits, cool sneakers, that kind of vibe.
- Millennial Equivalent: Having “swagger” or being “on fleek” (God, remember that one?).
- How to Use It: “Dude, that new jacket you got is serious drip.”
3. IYKYK
- Translation: An acronym for “If You Know, You Know.” It’s used to reference inside jokes or shared experiences within a specific group.
- Millennial Equivalent: Remember when we thought inside jokes were like, super exclusive? Yeah, same energy.
- How to Use It: “Just had the best coffee at this hidden gem downtown…IYKYK.”
4. Living Rent Free
- Translation: When something is stuck in your head, usually in an annoying or obsessive way. Could be a song, a person, an embarrassing moment…the possibilities are endless.
- Millennial Equivalent: Our brains are basically rent-controlled apartments for all our anxieties, so we get this.
- How to Use It: “That cringey dance from middle school is still living rent-free in my head.”
5. Main Character
- Translation: The protagonist of their own life. Someone confident, charming, and seemingly living their best life.
- Millennial Equivalent: We were all about being “That Girl” back in the day. Same idea, just updated for the TikTok generation.
- How to Use It: “She walks around like she’s the main character in a movie, and honestly, I’m here for it.”
6. Sheesh
- Translation: An exclamation of excitement, admiration, or even disbelief.
- Millennial Equivalent: Think “Damn!” or “No way!” but with more…sheesh-factor?
- How to Use It: “Did you see that crazy basketball shot? Sheesh!”
7. Vibe Check
- Translation: Assessing the energy or mood of a person, place, or situation.
- Millennial Equivalent: Remember “reading the room”? It’s like that, but more about the overall vibes.
- How to Use It: “This party is a total vibe check. Either you’re feeling it or you’re not.”
8. CEO of …
- Translation: Being really good at something, often in a humorous or self-deprecating way.
- Millennial Equivalent: We were all about being “World’s Best [Insert Random Thing Here]” on our coffee mugs.
- How to Use It: “I burned dinner again. Guess I’m not cut out to be CEO of the kitchen.”
9. Catch these hands
- Translation: A challenge, often playful but sometimes serious. It can mean “come fight me” or “try me.”
- Millennial Equivalent: “Bring it on!”
- How to Use It: “You think you can beat me at Mario Kart? Catch these hands!”
10. Hits different
- Translation: When something is uniquely enjoyable or impactful.
- Millennial Equivalent: Remember those things you were obsessed with as a teenager? Like, they just “hit different”? Same.
- How to Use It: “Listening to vinyl just hits different, man.”
Beyond the Lingo: Understanding the Culture
Knowing the slang is just the tip of the iceberg. To truly “get” TikTok, you gotta understand the culture that birthed these words.
Here’s the thing about Gen Z:
- They’re authentic to a fault: Forget perfectly curated feeds. It’s all about realness, vulnerability, and keeping it 100.
- Humor is their love language: Irony, satire, absurd humor – they’re fluent in it all.
- Social justice is baked in: This is a generation that cares deeply about making the world a better place, and they’re not afraid to use their voices (and TikToks) to do it.
Millennials, here’s the good news:
- We invented a lot of this stuff (remember MySpace angles?). Gen Z is just building on our legacy.
- We’re not afraid to laugh at ourselves. And trust me, that goes a long way on TikTok.
- We’re still cool (ish). We just need to embrace the learning curve.
Your Turn to Decode
This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it’s a starting point. The beauty of internet slang is that it’s constantly evolving. Embrace the chaos, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask a Gen Z friend (or niece, nephew, random teenager on the street) to translate.
Now go forth and conquer the TikTokverse, my fellow Millennials! And remember, if you need a refresher on the lingo, this dictionary will always be here for you.
Just, maybe keep it on the DL. We don’t want to be too cheugy.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- If I Got Isekai’ed 101: Your Guide to Surviving Another World (And Maybe Even Becoming a Harem Protagonist)
- Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
- Will My Cat Eat Me When I Die? (The Truth Might Hurt… Your Feelings)
- How to Know If You’re Cringing Your Classmate: A Guide to Social Survival
- Cursed Hands: When Anime Fandom Goes Too Far
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