Gen Z, Gen X square off in slang showdown: Do you…
These generations are misplaced in translation.
Gen X isn’t precisely “slaying” when it comes to understanding their zoomer youngsters’s slang — but Gen Z is equally stumped by the favored phrases and phrases their mother and father mentioned manner back in the day.
The Post took to Times Square to host the last word enjoyable showdown — Gen X vs. Gen Z in a battle of the slang — and the outcomes had been combined.
James Curran, 49, and his daughter Katie, 17, battled it out in our Gen X vs. Gen Z slang quiz. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
Isabella Moss, 18, and her mother, Allison, 53, visiting from Austin, Texas, took half in our quiz. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
We requested Gen Xers the that means of 5 slang phrases at present used by Zoomers, including “serve,” “stan” and “rizz.”
To check whether or not their youngsters may communicate fluent throwback, we subsequently quizzed Gen Z teenagers on 5 slang phrases standard among Gen X back in the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, including pop culture-inspired “gnarly,” “grody” and “tubular.”
If you fancy your self a superior slang decoder, take our check below and discover out whether or not you fared higher than those we stopped on the road.
GEN X SLANG
Gnarly
Mya Lenahan, 16, tries to guess Gen X slang in our Post pop quiz. The Gen Z teen was left stumped by some of the phrases used by older generations. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
According to Surfer Today, gnarly “originated from the word ‘gnarled,’ meaning ‘knobbly, rough, and twisted, especially with age.’”
It first got here into utilization manner back in the mid-18th century and saved its literal that means for more than 200 years before it was appropriated by California surfers in the Nineteen Seventies to describe one thing fully totally different.
The slang phrase subsequently turned a Gen X staple after it was used by Sean Penn’s surfer stoner character Jeff Spicoli in the 1982 teen smash “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”
But do you know what it means?
Answer: “gnarly” can imply either troublesome and difficult or glorious and cool
Bogart
Brooklyn teen Azeeah Philips, 15, was shocked to be taught the meanings of some Gen X slang phrases. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
This standard Gen X slang phrase baffled the Gen Z members who took half in our quiz, with a number of theorizing it was associated to the “Harry Potter” universe, in which a “boggart” is a shape-shifting creature that takes the shape of its observer’s concern.
However, the phrase is definitely impressed by Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart, who usually saved a cigarette in his mouth without smoking it in scenes from his famed black-and-white motion pictures.
Thus, to “Bogart” one thing means to hog or monopolize on one thing without sharing.
Tubular
Another slang phrase that originated in California’s browsing tradition, “tubular” was initially used to describe a hole, curling wave.
By the late Eighties, it had entered Gen X lexicon with a totally different that means and reached peak utilization after “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” in 1989.
Zoomers quizzed by The Post had been mystified by the time period, which fell out of fashion long before they had been born.
It was extensively used by Gen X to describe one thing cool, superior or — think about Keanu Reeves saying it — most glorious.
Bodacious
Mom and daughter Angelique, 52, and Michelle, 18, stopped in Times Square to check their information. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
This Gen X slang phrase stayed standard even as they aged out of their teenagers and into parenthood.
“Bodacious” was subsequently picked up by millennials — but only a few zoomers we examined had been in a position to guess its that means.
It’s used to describe somebody spectacular or exceptional. Additionally, it’s used as an adjective for somebody who is inappropriately engaging.
Grody
“Grody” is an American variation of “grotty” — a British slang phrase first made well-known by The Beatles in the 1964 movie “A Hard Day’s Night.”
In California, “grody” gained traction in the browsing neighborhood in the early Eighties, and a number of Zoomers we quizzed appropriately guessed its that means. However, they all insisted it’s no longer a half of on a regular basis dialog.
A shortening of the phrase “grotesque,” it’s slang for gross, disgusting or disagreeable.
GEN Z SLANG
Stan
New Jersey dad James Curran, 49, appropriately guessed the that means of the Gen Z slang phrase “stan.” Impressively, he was even in a position to clarify its origin. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
The origin of this standard Gen Z slang phrase dates back to the 12 months 2000 — long before Zoomers held cultural sway.
Inspired by Eminem’s tune “Stan,” launched in that 12 months, it’s a time period used to describe a devoted — and probably deranged — fan.
Conveniently, it’s also a portmanteau of the phrases “stalker” and “fan.”
One hip Gen X dad, James Curran, 47, from New Jersey, appropriately guessed the that means of the slang phrase and was even in a position to clarify that it originated from the Eminem monitor.
Slay
Zoomer Hadi Baydoun, 25, is seen participating in our Post pop quiz. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
“Slay” is derived from the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene but has develop into a key half of Zoomer vernacular in latest years.
Several Gen X mother and father had been in a position to guess the that means of this phrase appropriately, probably thanks to Beyoncé’s iconic hit “Formation,” in which she sings: “I slay all day.”
It’s generally used to describe somebody’s look or accomplishment, e.g., “You’re slaying in that outfit.”
Serve
Despite being a standard variation of “slay,” most Gen X’ers weren’t in a position to guess the that means of this phrase appropriately.
It’s used to describe somebody or one thing that seems good or superb. For occasion: “You’re serving in those shoes.”
Rizz
Laney Schmidt, 15, and her mother, Sara, 47, took our check in Times Square. The vacationers had been in city from Omaha, Nebraska. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
First used by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, this phrase is now a Gen Z slang staple.
It stumped many Gen X’ers who participated in our Post pop quiz, despite the very fact that it’s an abbreviation of an precise phrase.
“Rizz” refers to charisma and is usually used to describe an unconventionally engaging male who has an indescribable attract over beautiful girls.
Delulu
“I know Labubu, but not ‘delulu,’” confessed mother Angelique, 52, standing next to her daughter, Michelle, 18. Olga Ginzburg for N.Y. Post
While most Gen Xers we quizzed had been in a position to establish the that means of this colloquialism, one mother was left baffled.
“I know Labubu, but not ‘delulu,’” Gen X mother Angelique, 52, instructed The Post as her daughter, Michelle, 18, stood laughing alongside her.
Labubus are, of course, the viral collectible dolls from China that are at present the most popular toys on the worldwide market.
“Delulu,” on the opposite hand, is a colloquialism for “delusional” and is usually used in a romantic context when the particular person reads into the actions of their crush a little too a lot.
The outcomes
Gen X got here out on high, with an general rating of 48%. However, that means that most members didn’t guess a majority of the 5 phrases appropriately.
But zoomers fared even worse, with a rating of 41%, failing to perceive the meanings behind their mother and father’ era’s standard slang.
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