If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or hanging around younger folks, you might have come across the term “cheugy.” If you haven’t, don’t stress—you’re not alone. I first stumbled upon it when a colleague casually mentioned it in our work chat. It felt like a direct hit, courtesy of the ever-creative Gen Z. What’s the deal with these kids? They seem intent on calling us Millennials out, but let’s be honest, who can keep track of all these trends?
After doing some digging, I discovered that “cheugy” (pronounced chew-gee with a sharp “g”) is gaining traction. It mainly refers to older Millennial women, but its reach appears to be broader than just age or gender. Think of it as a more specific version of being “basic.” So, what’s the origin of this quirky word? Gaby Rasson, a 23-year-old software developer from Los Angeles, coined it back in 2013 while attending Beverly Hills High School. It’s amusing to think that this term was created by a teenager the same year my kid was born, which explains why so many Millennials are labeled cheugy—most of us were adults when it first emerged.
“There was a category that didn’t exist,” Rasson told The New York Times. “I needed a word to describe something that was on the tip of my tongue, and ‘cheugy’ came to mind.” The term quickly spread among her high school pals, made its way to college, and eventually landed on TikTok, leading to its current popularity.
Honestly, I still find the exact definition of cheugy a bit elusive, which seems to be part of its charm. The more I explore, the more I realize it’s intentionally ambiguous. Many who are in the know seem to operate under a “if you know, you know” mindset, which only reinforces my suspicion that I might be a cheug myself.
While some things are undoubtedly cheugy, it’s ultimately subjective. According to The New York Times, cheugy can refer to a person who is out of touch or overdoing it. As a 35-year-old mom, I strive to stay in the loop, but I inevitably lag behind sometimes. Between my full-time job and parenting, I’m not always on the cutting edge. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a grandma in the TikTok realm—I have an account but barely use it due to sensory overload. There are definitely aspects of my life that could be deemed cheugy, but I refuse to give up my Uggs; they’re just too comfy. Cold feet? No thanks. The younger crowd can label me as a cheug all they want, but in a decade, they’ll understand.
What Exactly is Cheugy?
Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter—what exactly is cheugy, and do your interests categorize you as one? Spoiler: probably. Here are a few things that have been deemed cheugy:
- Pinterest boards
- “The Office” merchandise
- Minions
- Lilly Pulitzer apparel
- EOS lip balms
Many TikToks and articles suggest that “millennial girl boss energy” is quintessentially cheugy. If you own merchandise emblazoned with that infamous script from Etsy or Target, you might just be cheugy af. Still confused? An article from The Cut sums it up nicely: “Think of things that your former high school classmate tried to sell you on through a multi-level marketing scheme.” Now you see what I mean, right? If you happen to have a “Live, Laugh, Love” wooden sign, congratulations—you’re cheugy.
One of my friends even claimed that lasagna falls into the cheugy category (seriously, lasagna is delicious). From what I’ve gathered after exploring countless TikToks, many things considered cheugy are rooted in the culture of 30-something white female Millennials. This makes sense, as many of us are moms and often feel out of touch with current trends.
Millennial Favorites That Are Undoubtedly Cheugy
Here’s a short list of millennial favorites that are undoubtedly cheugy:
- Loving Chip and Joanna Gaines
- Shiplap (I still don’t get it)
- Modern farmhouse decor
- Chemvron patterns
- That one white rug with the black tribal pattern
- All-white kitchens with quartz countertops
- Shirts with phrases like “yes way, rosé”
- Adults who enjoy Disney
- Barstool Sports
- Tory Burch ballet flats
- Any wooden decor with trendy fonts
- Anything from the home decor section at Target
- The phrases: adulting, doggo, I did a thing
- Oversized scarves
- Glitter tumblers and reusable cups
- Cruises
Other things that people label as cheugy include marrying your high school sweetheart or tying the knot before 25. If you’re into The Hype House, you’re totally cheugy too (for those who are clueless like me, it’s a house where TikTok influencers reside). And yes, that Gucci belt with the iconic double Gs? Yep, cheugy.
As I reflect on this article, I realize that the mere act of writing about this trendy term likely qualifies me as cheugy—especially since I’m sipping on a venti Starbucks chai while typing. Are my Toms cheugy? Probably. And yes, my joggers probably are too, but comfort is key.
The Cut explains that cheugy feels broader and carries fewer misogynistic or classist connotations than “basic.” They argue it’s less mean-spirited and more self-deprecating. However, while some TikTok users embrace the label, it’s primarily a way for younger generations to poke fun at older Millennials. We get it; we’re aging, and our kids remind us of this daily. We don’t need another TikTok trend to reinforce that reality.
According to Gaby Rasson, “Looking good for yourself and not caring what others think is the essence of non-cheugyness.” So maybe, just maybe, most Millennials aren’t cheugy after all, despite what TikTok claims.
Further Reading
For those interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this informative post, and if you’re looking for an authority on the subject, here’s a great resource on artificial insemination kits.
Search Queries:
- home insemination kits
- self insemination methods
- how to use a home insemination kit
- at-home insemination procedures
- best practices for home insemination
In summary, the term “cheugy” has taken off as a way for younger generations to describe things that feel outdated or overly trendy among Millennials. While its exact definition may seem fuzzy, it generally points to interests that are out of touch or trying too hard. Whether or not you embrace the label, it’s clear that generational divides continue to shape our perceptions of what’s cool.