Language is what connects people, whether it be across distances or as close as in the classroom next door. For centuries language has been used to document history, share stories, and connect individuals and communities. Through spoken words, written texts, and digital communication, language remains at the heart of how we share our experiences, ideas, and emotions. In today’s day and age, the vocabulary used by teens around the world is constantly changing as new trends emerge. What is deemed “cool” one day is demoted to “cringe” the next. Social media has an immense influence on the language used by teens today, which can be heard in abundance around North Atlanta’s halls. Below are just some of the words we hear on the daily.
Pookie– A nickname that you call your best friend or someone you really love. A nickname that many people use for their best friend.
“I love that girl! She is my pookie for real.”
Periodt– Periodt comes from period, used as an interjection to show a statement is final, that there is nothing else to be said or debated. Conversation over. No more discussion.
“I am so ready for summer.” “Periodt!!!”
Sus– Sus is used as a synonym of suspicious, or suspect, as in “you’ve been acting pretty sus, I think you’re up to something.” It’s a slang word used to say that someone or something shouldn’t be trusted.
“My teacher thought I was being sus, so I had to show her my phone was in my backpack.”
Bussin– Bussin means something is really good.
“That taco was bussin’!”
Ate– Shows admiration or praise for someone who has done a great job at something
“You ate that project up! Congrats on the 100.”
Gas– Refers to something that is appealing or enjoyable. Usually refers to food that would definitely make a “top 10” list.
“Mary and Annie deem some Trader Joe’s snacks as gas.”
Ick– Something someone does that is an instant ew-moment for you, making you instantly hate the idea of being with someone romantically.
“The fact that he chews with his mouth open is a total ick.”
Mewing– A technique attributed to a British orthodontist named Mike Mew that involves putting pressure on the roof of your mouth with your tongue to try and change the shape of your face by moving your maxilla up and forwards with the lateral pressure of your tongue.
“I’ve been mewing recently. Does my jawline look more defined?”
Looksmaxing– Looksmaxxers try to break down aesthetics into a science and “maximize” their own by using whatever mechanism they believe will help them reach higher standards of beauty.
“It seems like everyone was looksmaxing on summer break. They all had serious glow ups!”
Rizz– Rizz is the ability to confidently approach people and talk to them in a more romantic or flirty way.
“What would David Hughes do? He would work on his rizzing skills.” #WWDHD
Yassify– Yassification is a noun form of the verb yassify, which generally means to improve something, especially by making it more beautiful or glamorous.
“Woah! That girl totally yassified herself for prom.”
Yap- To yap, in modern parlance, is simply to talk a lot, often about something of little importance.
“Thank goodness that presentation is finished. She was really yapping about the powerhouse of the cell.”
Serving– When someone is on point. Could be makeup, an outfit, an idea, etc. It is a direct offspring of ‘giving’.
“Did you see Zendaya’s Met Gala Outfit? She was serving classy realness.”
Coquette– Coquettish describes a woman’s flirtatious manner.
“Adeline Briggs has such a coquette music taste.”
Naur- Originating from Australian culture, this word demonstrates a hard “NO!” in response to any trivial topics.
“Naur Cleor, you have got to stop going to Starbucks everyday!”
