There are days when I find myself utterly perplexed by the phrases that come out of my son’s mouth. Once upon a time, “legit” was his go-to word, just as much as “mom.” Now, he’s moved on to expressions like “this is lit” and “bruh,” which he even uses with his five-year-old twin sisters. I understand “bruh” means “bro,” but why use it with your sisters?
I can only attribute this to the influence of YouTube, the internet, and social media, which has transformed the language of today’s youth into something that often feels entirely foreign to me. The funniest part is, he often concludes our conversations with, “You just don’t understand, Mom,” in that unmistakable tone that teenagers seem to master — much like when I was confused about why he kept saying “salty.”
Although some slang escapes me, I’ve caught myself using terms like “legit” in my own conversations. I often cringe afterward, but if my son hears it, I score a few cool points! Teenage slang isn’t new; we had our own versions back in the day, and I’m sure our parents felt just as bewildered. Yet, it’s crucial for us to stay updated, not just for street cred, but to foster a stronger bond with our teens and to decipher what they’re really saying.
With teenagers, there’s so much to keep track of, and learning their lingo often falls to the bottom of our to-do lists. Fortunately, comprehensive guides on teenage slang are available. I was late to grasping what “FOMO” meant, and now there’s “squad” — not to be confused with “mom squad,” but rather their circle of friends. Words like “gnarly” and “duh” seem straightforward, but today’s lingo includes “fleek,” “Hundo P,” and “FOMO,” which might be as harmless as the words we used in the ’80s and ’90s.
We’re living in a more “woke” era where both parents and teens are more aware of societal issues, and their language reflects that consciousness. Certain terms can also indicate when our teens are facing emotional challenges or stress. It’s essential to keep the lines of communication open, even if it sometimes feels like they’re shutting us out — or deciding not to “spill the tea.”
My son is eager for a “bae” but doesn’t understand why we’re hesitant to let him. For now, as his parents, we aim to guide him in becoming the best “bruh” he can be before he finds his dream “bae” and doesn’t “throw any shade” on his dating journey. Like generations of confused parents before us, we’ll continue to try to navigate the ever-evolving lexicon of modern teens.
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Summary
Keeping up with teenage slang can be quite the challenge for parents. The language of youth is constantly evolving, influenced by social media and cultural shifts. While some terms remain familiar, others can leave parents feeling out of touch. Maintaining open communication about these changes is essential for bonding and understanding.