Out of the loop? Time to catch up on the latest additions to our TikTok-derived vocab
Even for the chronically online, it’s often hard to keep up with the internet’s hottest buzzwords when terms such as “brat summer” and “demure fall” keep coming up left and right. What more for those out of the loop? Especially for parents and teachers—practically anyone who has to deal with (and wants to understand) a phone-obsessed teenager—here’s our attempt at deciphering the latest Gen Z and Alpha slang.
READ: ‘Out-of-date’ slang we should definitely keep using
Cap
To “cap” is to lie and is often a slang alternative for “lie” or “fake.” It can be used as “They’re capping” or “That’s cap” to signify a dishonest statement. On the flip side, “No cap” is invoked to prove something is true.
Sus
“Sus” is simply a shortened form of “suspicious” and is used to describe a dubious person or a questionable situation. For example, “Michelle is sus” or “This deal is sus.”
Bussin
“Bussin” is derived from the words “busting” and “bursting” and is used to describe something (particularly food) that is extremely good—“That mac and cheese is bussin.”
@brothadude Bussin bussin #foryou #foryoupage #fyp ♬ original sound – Nathaniel Knoch
Demure
Coined by TikTok creator and 2024 icon Jools Lebron, the year’s ultimate buzzword—which originally meant someone modest and reserved—evolved as an empowering call to action, inspiring many to be mindful and conscious of how they present themselves to others.
Though not to be mistaken with worrying yourself about how you are perceived, “demure” is an invitation to own the day by being at your best.
READ: ‘Very demure, very mindful,’ the new TikTok vocabulary you need to know
@joolieannie #fyp #demure ♬ original sound – Jools Lebron
Gas
Gas in today’s slang is used to either hype or cheer someone up (“Let me gas you up real quick”) or to describe something (the same way “bussin” is used) of quality (“This song is gas.”)
Rizz
Ever thought about what it meant to “rizz someone up” or to have “so much rizz”? The term is practically slang for “charm” and is used in the context of attracting a certain individual.
Cook
The same way “cooking” is the process of creating a wonderful dish, “cook” in modern slang means to describe the moments leading up to greatness or excellence. For example, “Let him cook” or “He’s really cooking something up right now.”
@blythe Me before brat summer 🫥🥸 and after brat summer 💚✨ @Charli XCX @BILLIE EILISH ♬ Guess featuring Billie Eilish – Charli xcx & Billie Eilish
Brat
With pop star Charli XCX, “brat” was no longer a word to describe an ill-mannered child but someone free from all inhibitions.
READ: RIP Charli XCX’s Brat wall and everything that went up on that bright green wall
Mid
“Mid” is often used in a dismissing tone to describe something as unimpressive or average. Like, “Their performance is mid” or “He’s mid, you can do better.”
Delulu
As one can probably guess, “delulu” is derived from “delusional” and is said to mock someone with their head in the clouds. So instead of “You’re delusional,” it’s simply “You’re delulu.”
