Have you ever found yourself puzzled by phrases like “run that,” which actually means to start something, or “rashing,” a term for mocking someone? Welcome to the intriguing and often perplexing language of Generation Z! To help navigate this youthful lexicon, a sociology teacher named John Parker has compiled an ongoing alphabetical list of slang terms he learns from his students, complete with definitions.
One of his students, a 17-year-old who prefers to go by the name Alex, shared with us how Parker’s list came to light. During a classroom discussion, a classmate used an unfamiliar slang term, prompting Mr. Parker to jokingly exclaim, “What does that mean? It’s not in my dictionary!” This piqued the curiosity of the students, leading to Parker sharing his unique glossary. Alex took a clandestine photo of it and posted it on Twitter, stating, “My sociology teacher keeps an alphabetical list of new slang terms he learns from students, and I will never get over it.”
The tweet quickly gained traction, amassing over 500,000 likes and nearly 170,000 retweets. Curious minds wanted to delve into the full document, and Parker responded by uploading a four-page version of his slang dictionary to a public Google document, along with a cheerful note: “Hello internet! Hope this comes in handy! Stay up, Mr. Parker.” (In Gen Z lingo, “stay up” means “you will be okay.”)
Feeling a bit out of touch? Wondering if you can ever comfortably use phrases like “no cap” (I’m serious) or “yurrr” (a way to grab attention)? If so, you’re not alone.
Parker’s dictionary has resonated widely, with many in the Gen Z demographic chiming in to suggest additional terms for the list, such as “stan,” “savage,” “straight up,” and “lit.” Parker welcomed the feedback, noting he would consider these additions pending student peer review. He even engaged in a respectful conversation with a Twitter user who argued that “low-key” is not a new term, acknowledging the evolving nature of language: “Of course—this is an imperfect document I never expected to gain such widespread distribution,” Parker tweeted, adding that students often encourage him to update the list with new terms.
Discussing his observations about Gen Z, Parker remarked on their creativity and humor. He also expressed amazement at how quickly his dictionary spread across social media. “It’s fascinating to see how Gen Z kids utilize social media and memes not just for communication among themselves but also to share cultural information,” he explained. “I never imagined this list would reach a wider audience, but here we are!”
Let’s give a nod to the insightful Mr. Parker, without whom many of us would remain in the dark about terms like “bang 30s” and “crackie.”
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In summary, Mr. Parker’s slang dictionary serves as an essential guide for those of us who often find ourselves lost in the vibrant language of today’s youth. It not only highlights the creativity of Generation Z but also bridges the gap between generations, providing a fun way to connect with younger individuals.