When I first started teaching, I let my students pick their team names for an activity we were doing in class. One team chose “Netflix and Chill” as a team name. I loved it. I got excited when they announced their team name and responded, “I love to Netflix and chill! My husband and I Netflix and chill every night!” The class erupted. They laughed immediately and collectively—the kind of laughter that I love. This time, I knew that I had obviously said something inappropriate. So, I did what you do to diffuse an awkward moment and started river dancing. With the help of Urban Dictionary, I learned that “Netflix and chill” did not mean what I thought it meant. I decided I would refrain from incorporating teen slang into my lessons until I was certain I knew what it meant.
Now, I just like to mess with them. So, I’ll purposely bring back antiquated slang and watch how they roll their eyes. Another favorite is to use words like “rizz” to mean encourage rather than to flirt with someone. I recommend using this whenever you want it to stop. Picture a group activity, “Come on guys! Rizz each other up!” Some will laugh. Some will scream. You can enjoy all of it.
We published a post on Facebook asking teachers to share the latest slang they’re hearing in their classrooms. This list contains words from 2026 and prior—it includes new slang and deep cuts that have been in the cultural lexicon for a while. Whether you’re a parent or teacher, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned so you can decode teen slang conversations going on around you—or maybe even throw some teen slang into your classroom instruction and join me in the Cringiest Teacher of All club.
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Teen Slang Classroom Posters
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General Teen Slang
1. 6-7
Absolutely nothing. It originated from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, which then got edited to include video edits of NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet, 7 inches tall. However, we like how teacher Kathy Behrend chose to use it in her classroom (in response to someone asking what the kids mean when they say 6-7):
“Mine have no idea, so I told them it means I want to stay in at recess with my head down. I don’t hear it anymore, lol.”
Example
Teacher: “We have around 6-7 minutes left before quizzes must be turned in,”
Students: Lift their hands up and down as if balancing plates while saying “Six Sevuuuuhhhhn.”
Teacher’s internal monologue: Why didn’t I just wait until there were 5 minutes left before I made the announcement?
2. The Big 26
The year 2026.
Teacher Zander Epps said his students use it to describe their New Year’s resolutions and shared the example below.
Example
Student: “Mister, we don’t say 6-7 in the Big 26.”
Teacher: “That is music to my ears.”
3. Niche
Refers to something appealing to a small, dedicated group of people, not the general public.
Teacher Tammi Riggers wrote us saying, “I’m hearing kids use ‘niche’ and ‘nonchalant’ correctly … but more frequently than I’ve ever heard these words before at school. I assume somebody used them on TikTok.”
Example
Student: “I like your Pizza Planet shirt. It’s so niche.”
4. Nonchalant
Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm. (From Oxford Languages)
Example
Student 1: “You just walk in here all nonchalant with an entire pizza box with no explanation.”
Student 2: “I had an appointment.”
5. That’s tuff
That’s cool.
Teacher Zander Epps shared the examples below.
Example:
Student: “Ooh! Those new shoes? That’s tuff.”
Student “You got an A on your test? That’s tuff.”
6. Clock it
Register something, pay attention to something.
Example
Student 1: “Hannah and Turner were talking by their lockers today.”
Student 2: “Yeah, I clocked it.”
7. Clock that tea
Call out something, draw attention to important information/gossip.
Example
Student 1: “Chase and Kelsea Ballerini look like they are back together in their Instagram post.”
Student 2: “Yeah, I clock that tea.”
8. Unc
Short for uncool.
Example
Student 1: “Teacher, your pants are unc.”
Teacher: “I’d rather be in sweatpants too.”
9. Crash-out
Emotional breakdown.
Example
The best example sentence comes from one of our readers, Nancy Beck Kanter, who shares:
“Math makes me crash-out every day.”
10. I really wish I had a free bag of chiiiips.
Dramatic, whiny, drawn-out phrase used to ask for something—usually school supplies.
It comes from a meme where someone complains, “I wish I could get a free bag of chiiiips,” in an exaggerated sing-song voice.
Example
Student: “I really wish I had a free penciiiil.”
Teacher: “I really wish you came prepared to claaaass.” (Teacher Zander Epps says you get bonus points for responding in the same whiny tone.)
11. Buns
Doing poorly on something.
Example
Here is a great example from one of our readers, Katie Evens:
“Buns, as in ‘Oh man, I did buns on that test.’”
12. Glazed
Overly praising someone.
Example
Sarah Brock writes, “A student will say something nice to suck up to me. Another student will then say, ‘Mrs. Brock, he just glazed you.’”
13. Rizz
Your ability to flirt, to charm guys or girls effortlessly.
Example
Student 1: “Who are you taking to homecoming this weekend?”
Student 2: “You know I’ve got a lot of options because I’ve got mad rizz.”
14. Bussin
Very good (usually refers to food).
Example
Student: “This McFrappe is bussin.”
15. Cap
You’re lying. That’s not true.
Example
Teacher: “We have a quiz today.”
Student: “That’s cap.”
Teacher: “No cap, we have a quiz today.”
Student: “That’s kizzy cap.”
Teacher: “No, it is not kizzy cap. We have a quiz today.”
16. Cooked
I will not defeat this. I will not survive this (bad grade, paper, exam, etc.).
Example
“We have a quiz today? I’m cooked.”
17. Drip
Clothing, shoes, accessories.
Example
Student: “Love the drip today.”
Teacher: “Thank you. I got it on sale at Target.”
18. Slay
You are doing an excellent job.
Example
Teacher: “What do you need in your body paragraphs to support your reasons?”
Student: “Evidence?”
Teacher: “Slay.”
19. Lowkey
An opinion that you’re trying to be subtle about.
Example
Student: “Lowkey, I actually like the school’s buffalo chicken dip.”
20. Smacks
An indication that something is very good.
Example
Student: “The buffalo chicken dip smacks.”
Going over the top.
Example
Student: *sees Valentine’s Day headband on my head* “Mrs. Naumoff, why you gotta be so extra today?”
22. Tea
Fresh gossip.
Example
Student 1: “Can I spill the tea for you?”
Student 2: “Not unless it’s piping hot tea.”
Student 1: “This is the freshest tea.”
Student 2: “Spill.”
23. Skibidi
A nonsense word that is usually paired with “toilet” and can act as an adjective describing something that is very good or very bad.
Example
“Lowkey, this test is skibidi toilet.”
24. Aura points
Similar to your vibe, you can earn them when you’re doing something Gen Z considers worthy, but you can also lose them. (I lose them every time I adopt their vocabulary into my lessons. I’m probably at negative 10,000 aura points and the school year is only halfway through.)
Example
“You brought us Christmas cookies? You get 10,000 aura points for that.”
25. Yeet
Throw something.
Example
Student: *frustrated with the Chromebook* “Can I just yeet my computer out the window?”
Teacher: “No, I am afraid you cannot throw the computer out of the window. Try turning it off and back on again. That is my go-to solution for all computer problems.”
26. Flex
Bragging about something.
Example
Student 1: “I never pop my zits. I just leave them there for the world to see.”
Student 2: “Weird flex, but OK.”
27. Big yikes
Something embarrassing.
Example
“I just accidentally sent the red heart emoji to my crush, big yikes.”
28. Poggers
Really exciting.
Example
“Did you hear we’re going on a field trip today for English? It’s poggers.”
29. Gas
Really good.
Example
“Did you listen to Taylor Swift’s new vault tracks? They are gas.”
30. Straight fire
Really good, better than the rest.
Example
“Chris Stapleton singing ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was straight fire.”
31. Pick-me girl
A girl who constantly wants sympathy or attention (I do feel bad for this girl and this phrase, for the record. Maybe let’s find out why she is seeking out sympathy to begin with?)
Example
“That pick-me girl is complaining about how Emma treats her again.”
32. Dead
That joke was so funny that I just died or that was so shocking I am now dead.
Example
Reads a funny or embarrassing story in a message and responds “I’m dead,” or just sends the dead face emoji.
33. Aesthetic
That’s a vibe, a cute artistic little vibe.
Example
“I love that Google Slides aesthetic. It’s so 1990s.”
34. Era
A phase that someone is in.
Example
“I’m in my mini-van mom era and loving every minute of it.”
35. Delulu
An abbreviated version of “delusional.”
Example
“Call me delulu but I actually think that if I met Taylor Swift, we would be friends.”
36. Oof
A sound from Roblox that can be synonymous with “oops” or to express discomfort for yourself or another person.
Example
Student 1: “I sent him two texts back-to-back and he never responded last night.”
Student 2. “Oof.”
37. Ate that
“And left no crumbs” to be used when someone does an excellent job at something.
Example
“Did you see my score on that exam? I ate that.”
38. Basic
Someone who is boring and conforms to trends.
Example
Student 1: “If you carry a Stanley and wear Uggs, you’re basic.”
Student 2: “I feel attacked.”
39. Fam
Family but also friends who feel like family
Example
“This quizlet deck is lit, fam.”
40. Cheugy
A term used by Gen-Z to describe the habits and trends of a millennial.
Example
“So, are low-rise jeans cheugy or are they Gen-Z?”
41. Bruh
Stands for bro. If you interact with a teen at any point, you likely have been called this name.
Example
“Bruh, is our essay seriously due tomorrow?”
42. Hits different
Something that impacts you in a bigger way than other things.
Example
“Usher’s Confession album just hits different when you watch him at the Super Bowl in your 30s.”
43. Roman Empire
What you spend a significant amount of time thinking about.
Example
“My Roman Empire is Taylor Swift.”
44. Fit
Short for “outfit.”
Example
“Love the fit, girl. Slay.”
45. It’s giving …
An expression used to compare what something looks like to something else.
Example
“It’s giving ‘Troop Beverly Hills’ and I am here for it.”
46. Serving
Someone is looking really good.
Example
“Did you see her in that homecoming dress? She was serving up looks.”
47. Stan
Superfans of a person, celebrity, group, etc.
Example
“Everyone knows I stan for Taylor Swift.”
48. Emo
An emotional person.
Example
“My emo playlist includes every Dashboard Confessional album.”
49. Noob
Someone who is new like a newbie and they do not know what they are doing.
Example
“It is clear that you’re a noob at pickleball.”
50. Granola
Someone who is into the outdoors.
Example
“I went on a hike yesterday and it made me feel so granola.”
51. High-key
Something that is obvious.
Example
“High-key, I hate MLA format.”
52. Understood the assignment
An expression that means that a person understood the expectations of the event and exceeded.
Example
“Whoa, I see your flapper skirt. You definitely understood the assignment for this Gatsby party.”
53. Vibe
A feeling, a look.
Example
“Writing papers with Adele playing in the background is such a vibe.”
54. ____________ coded
Fill in the blank and add “coded” and it means that it is a reflection of that person.
Example
“Going ax-throwing on your first date is so Theresa-coded.”
55. Finna
Fitting to, like going to.
Example
“I’m finna get Chipotle after school today.”
56. Say less
I understand.
Example
Student 1: “I stayed up until two in the morning working on this assignment because my partner did nothing.”
Student 2: “Say less, fam.”
57. Menty b
Short for “mental breakdown.”
Example
“My menty b seems to pop up every third nine weeks.”
58. Five-ever
Longer than forever.
Example
“I feel like I’ve been waiting five-ever for him to post those grades.”
59. Mid
When something is subpar, less than impressive.
Example
“I’m just saying, the school’s fettuccine Alfredo is mid.”
60. Let him cook
Allowing someone to continue what they are doing, not interfering.
Example
The teacher told Henry to stop playing video games in class, and the students replied, “Let him cook.”
61. Girl dinner
A meal of snacks, small portions of different food, side dishes.
Example
“I’m just going to eat light tonight. Instead of an entree, I’ll just have pretzel bites, breadsticks, and pot stickers—a real girl dinner.”
62. Girl math
Unconventional ways to justify a purchase.
Example
Student 1: “I know these jeans were $150, but if you actually divide up the amount of money I’ve spent on them per wear, it’s like less than $1 a wear, so it’s a really good deal.”
Student 2: “That’s girl math.”
63. Main character energy
Someone who is confident, embracing their natural leadership qualities, self-assured.
Example
“You’re just exuding main character energy lately and I am here for it.”
64. Lewks
A fashion moment that is very unique.
Example
“Your prom dress is a full lewk.”
Teen Slang Used for Arguments
65. Touch grass
An insult usually thrown at people to remind them to get real, spend some time outside.
Example
*Comedian reads comments from haters on Instagram and posts a story telling them to touch grass.*
66. Side-eye
Giving someone some negative looks.
Example
Teacher hands out assignment that students have to work on.
Student gives side-eye.
Teacher says, “No need for that side-eye, you’ve got all period to get this finished.”
67. Receipts
Proof of something like texts, screenshots.
Example
“I know for sure that he is talking to a new girl. I’ve got the receipts.”
68. Hot take
A controversial opinion on something.
Example
“Hot take, school lunches are actually good.”
69. Pressed
Being annoyed by something.
Example
“I’m pressed about how much homework we have tonight.”
70. Put on blast
To share something publicly about someone else that is most likely embarrassing.
Example
“He cheated on the test! I’m putting him on blast.”
71. Rent-free
When someone is taking up space in your mind, living in your thoughts.
Example
“There is a carrot cake in my fridge right now that is living rent-free in my head.”
72. Read
Pointing out someone’s flaws.
Example
Student 1: “Do you realize that you always argue with people just for the sake of arguing?”
Student 2: “Oh, you just got read, sis.”
73. Left on read
Someone who can see that their text has been read but no one has responded.
Example
“I messaged him last night but he left me on read.”
74. Amped
Excited.
Example
“I’m amped about our class field trip!”
75. Dragged
To mock or humiliate someone.
Example
“Prepare to get dragged if you come for Taylor Swift in the comments.”
76. Facts
Agreed.
Example
Student 1: “I feel like if you order Chipotle online and not in person, they go light on everything.”
Student 2: “That’s facts.”
77. Heated
When someone is mad or frustrated.
Example
“You don’t need to get heated just because someone beat you in euchre.”
78. Go off
When someone is venting about something and you say this to encourage them to continue their rant.
Example
Student 1: “It seems like they just up the prices on everything and then call it a sale by taking 20% off when really it is the actual price.”
Student 2: “Go off.”
79. Sus
Short for “suspicious,” used to describe a person or situation.
Example
Student 1: “He said that he had to stay home for dinner tonight, but when I checked his location, he was at a restaurant.”
Student 2: “That’s sus.”
80. Shook
When someone is frightened, startled, or shocked about something.
Example
“I am fully shook when I walk up the basement stairs in the dark.”
81. Throw shade
To talk poorly about someone else.
Example
“I heard them in the bathroom trying to throw shade at you.”
82. Salty
When someone has an attitude and is grouchy.
Example
“Why are you so salty, bro? Do you need a nap?”
83. Periodt
End of the conversation, like a period but with a T for emphasis.
Example
“Let Taylor Swift live. Periodt.”
84. Aura-farming
When you’re obviously trying to look cool.
Example
“Honestly, he was aura-farming when he dunked the basketball during the staff vs. students pep-rally game.”
Relationship Teen Slang
85. Red flag
A warning, especially when concerning a person you have romantic interest in.
Example
“If he only speaks in hyperbole, that’s a red flag.”
86. Pink flag
Minor red flags, points of tension in your relationship, not deal-breakers.
Example
Student 1: “My boyfriend never walks me to my car or back to my door.”
Student 2: “I think that’s a pink flag, sis.”
87. Green flag
Good things, hints at positives in a potential relationship.
Example
“He has a clean car? It’s a green flag for me.”
88. Beige flag
Unique things about a person who you are in a relationship with or hope to be in a relationship with; traits that are not necessarily bad or good, just ones that make you pause and think.
Example
“My man’s beige flag is that he puts all hot water in the tea kettle because he thinks when we microwave it for instant oatmeal, we are ruining our bodies.”
89. Ship
Let’s make this romantic relationship happen.
Example
“Do you think the teacher put us together for this project because she’s trying to ship us?”
90. Snatched
Attractive.
Example
“That outfit makes you look snatched.”
91. Snack
Someone who looks attractive.
Example
Student 1: “Did you see that guy?”
Student 2: “Yeah, he’s a snack.”
Student 1: “No, that’s a whole meal.”
Teacher: *Gags*
92. A whole meal
Someone who looks extremely attractive.
Example
“He’s not just a snack, he’s a whole meal!”
93. Pulling
To attract someone in a romantic way.
Example
Student 1: “I pull more girls than anyone else in this room.”
Student 1’s wingman: “Facts.”
94. Bae
“Before anyone else,” used to describe a romantic partner, like “babe.”
Example
Student 1: “Remember bae? ‘Before anyone else’? Let’s bring that back.”
Student 2: “Cringe.”
95. Giving me the ick
A trait that a person possesses that causes another person to lose romantic attraction to them; an ick is the quality that makes someone else disgusted.
Example
“When he says ‘cool beans,’ it gives me the ick.”
96. Rizz
Excellent flirting skills.
Example
“Max has rizz. I’m just his wingman.”
97. Ghosted
Ending a relationship by abruptly not speaking to that person anymore.
Example
“I’m too uncomfortable to end it with him so I’m just gonna ghost.”
98. Simp
Someone who is doing too much for someone else.
Example
“He’s such a simp for his girl right now, bringing her Starbucks every day.”
99. Cringe
Behavior that is embarrassing.
Example
“Mrs., can you never say ‘rizz’ again in class? You’re just too cringe to handle right now.”
100. Stay on business
You keep your word, do what you say you’ll do, and uphold the standards you have for yourself.
Example
Deborah Arrona shares an example: “Miss, should I get back with my ex or stay on business?”
Teen Slang Acronyms
101. TFW
That feeling when.
Example
“TFW we get out of class early. Nothing beats it.”
102. TBF
To be fair.
Example
“TBF, I did tell her that I liked someone else before she started dating him.”
103. NGL
Not gonna lie.
Example
“That test was way harder than I thought it would be, NGL.”
104. FYP
For You Page on TikTok.
Example
“That new trend on my FYP is taking over my whole feed.”
105. W
Win.
Example
“I got a 97 on my last quiz. W!”
106. L
Loss or lose.
Example
“She didn’t like your post? L.”
107. ICYMI
In case you missed it.
Example
“ICYMI, I sent out a group invite for a sleepover at my house tomorrow.”
108. FR
For real.
Example
“I made the BEST dinner last night. FR.”
109. RN
Right now.
Example
“Come over RN!”
110. TBH
To be honest.
Example
“TBH, I don’t like this science unit.”
111. IYKYK
If you know you know.
Example
“The teacher was trying to use teen slang yesterday … IYKYK.”
112. IRL
In real life instead of online.
Example
“I’ve seen those shoes so much on TikTok, but not so much IRL.”
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