Slang and Next Gen Workers

Each generation creates slang that helps define them. As a grandfather in his seventies, it would be silly to say I truly understand or have full awareness of the many slang words representing this group of evolving teenagers. I do know that they have been inordinately impacted by screen time, social media, a pandemic, climate, technology, geopolitical turbulence, and perhaps overly protective parents and school environments. 

I’m somewhat borrowing observations of other adults closer to these teens. However, the following are some of today’s most popular slang words they use to communicate in a more nuanced way. They have been verified by our teenage granddaughter, who notes that these terms are often applied with an undertone of a meme or sarcasm.

Mid: This word describes mild disappointments, or literally “the middle.” Sort of blah. 

Glaze: Describes everything taking on an artificially positive, unreal and not entirely trustworthy gloss. Essentially, it’s veneer and spin. 

Sus: An abbreviated version for “suspicious” or “suspect,” suggesting a world where one has to be careful not to accept face value without scrutiny. 

Rizz: Short for charisma.

Cringe: Refers to just plain disgusting/awkward/embarrassing. 

Based: Short for “based in fact” or “based in reality,” and often used as a term of confirming credibility when someone states a controversial opinion. 

As a hippie of the 1960/70’s, I can still see my grandparents look at me with dismay as I rolled out terms like: “right on,” “far out,” “groovy,” “bummer,” “bread,” “hip,” “threads,” “out of sight,” and more. 

It’s disingenuous, and even inappropriate when one generation tries too hard to fit in with an emerging generation. It’s like trying too hard not to grow up. On the other hand, being aware of how language/slang is used and intended, builds understanding between generations. 

All work teams are best when balanced with a variety of backgrounds/generations/gender. That promotes meaningful, diverse angles of insight. How far out is that? 

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, 

- Lorne 

One Millennial View: Even my generation using Gen Z terms can be cringe (I think we can get away with that one). However, there’s no real excuse to be illiterate to a common vernacular that becomes intertwined with all of a generation’s creations and interests. And, Gen Z can study up on what lingo their predecessors produced. You can be linguistically aware and equipped while also having no intention or obligation to use it. 

- Garrett























































































































 

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