One of my grandchildren, a member of the Zoomer Generation, described his youth leader as “sick". I assumed he meant she was ill. To my surprise, in Gen-Z lingo, “sick” means “amazing” or “cool”. This small illustration serves as a reminder of the significant language gap that exists between generations.
Each new generation establishes its unique vocabulary. However, I didn’t know just how different Gen Z’s language and worldview are from my own Baby Boomer era. I decided to dig deeper into the dynamic world of Gen Z language. Researching the slang differences between the two generations revealed a whole new and expanded list of unfamiliar terms.
Exploring generational differences reminded me of Bible stories in which Jesus spoke using familiar language that resonated with his audience. He demonstrated a profound understanding of his listeners by adapting his language to their specific circumstances. He listened “With Intention,” fully attuned to their needs. The way He spoke allowed Him to connect with people on their level, making conversations more relatable.
Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, is shaped by a digital, fast-paced world. As I gathered information, I noticed that Gen Z is often characterized by its unique perspective on spirituality. They typically seek more personal meaning, authenticity, and experiences that align with their values of inclusivity and social justice.
They have their own unmistakable slang, are more comfortable with casual, abbreviated language (including emojis), texting, social media, and various digital platforms, which may not be familiar to older generations.
Many of the slang terms used by Gen Z may be unfamiliar to you, such as "sus" (which stands for suspicious), "Bet" (okay, I agree), and "IYKYK" (if you know, you know). "IDK" (I don't know), "LOL" (laughing out loud), "BRB" (be right back). “slay,” “no cap,” and “rizz”(someone's ability to charm or flirt).
In contrast, Baby Boomers might use slang words like "right-on” (agree with someone), “square" (uncool or boring), “groovy” (cool), “the skinny” (usually gossip), “catch some Z’s (sleep), or“boob tube” (TV). These are terms that may be unfamiliar to younger generations.
Becoming more familiar with generational biases can prepare each of us to be more effective in building a strong bridge from which to communicate the beautiful character of God across all generations. In essence, this is at the heart of our desire: to share our “Jesus stories” with compassion and clarity! Jesus demonstrated this beautifully by speaking with intention, sharing the goodness of God in a way that resonated with people and fostered understanding.
This article compares some Gen Z and Boomer slang words for “beginners”. Baby Boomers, it might be fun to reminisce about the wild slang words from your era before diving into Gen Z lingo. And Gen Z, take a look at the differences in the meanings of words often used by Baby Boomers compared to your vocabulary; then try to offer grace as Boomers attempt to wrap their heads around a whole new style of language!
