20-NINE-TEEN SLANG

Are you ready to be relevant AF? As I gear up for another summer at camp, I’ve spent the last few days unofficially canvassing a handful of teens.

I’m finna spill the tea on some top-shelf slang, and legit, you need to get woke or skurt, okurr? Here’s the low-down straight from the source.

Don’t @ me
Translation: Not caring about other people’s opinion on something you just said, especially when it’s potentially controversial.

Bet
Translation: Agreed, the new version of “word” or “fo-show.”

Boofin’
Translation: Overreacting in a negative way.

Curve / Swerve
Translation: The act of ignoring or avoiding someone/something on purpose.

Suss
Translation: When someone is acting suspicious or shady.

Fam
Translation: A group of people considered family. Commonly used with “its lit fam.”

Lowkey
Translation: Sorta secretive, aka keep it on the down-low.

Mood
Translation: Used to express something that is relatable.

Big mad
Translation: Extremely mad, angry.

Salty
Translation: Pissed, bitter.

Send it
Translation: Just do it, aka YOLO.

Took an L
Translation: Facing a loss, failure.

Triggered
Translation: Refers to a traumatic or angry experience, used jokingly half the time.

Get This Bread
Translation: Let’s go make some money.

Throw Hands
Translation: To fight or argue.

How It Be
Translation: It is what it is.

Weird Flex, But Ok…
Translation: Used when someone humbly brags about something irrelevant or not that impressive, but is still valid.

Hard Facts
Translation: Essentially telling the truth in a brash way.

Receipts / Collecting Receipts
Translation: The act of gathering evidence of a person’s hypocrisy, often pulled from past social media posts or text conversations.

Bruh
Translation: Another way of saying “seriously?”

Woke
Translation: Being aware of current affairs, most often used in a political manner.

Slay
Translation: Succeeding at something exceptionally well.

Dead
Translation: When someone is euphorically happy.

Stan
Translation: Someone who is both a fan and a stalker (not literally) of an individual, typically a celebrity.

V
Translation: A shortened form of very.

Gassed
Translation: When someone has had one too many compliments and is full of themselves.

Mom
Translation: Used to reference the most responsible friend in the group.

Trill
Translation: A combination of true and real. Often used to describe an individual’s character.

Finesse
Translation: To smooth things out and make better.

Yeet
Translation: A way to show excitement or agree.

Canceled
Translation: To reject something because it’s no longer trendy or relevant.

Bible / On God
Translation: Used to confirm what a person says is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It’s also a way to get someone to stop lying.

Thank U, Next
Translation: Used to reference something that helped you grow but no longer serves you.

KiKi
Translation: A party or festive gathering. Can also be used as a verb to mean celebrate or share gossip.

Left on read
Translation: Refers to someone reading your text and not replying to it. Could also be used to describe someone intently ignoring someone in person.

P.S. While doing my research, I was reminded just how much pop culture originates in minority communities, particularly black and LGBTQ culture. Stay woke, my friends.