There are phrases going around right now that are driving middle school teachers and parents up the walls in frustration.* Since the Quincy Public Library is all about access to information, we want you to feel better informed about what The Youth are talking about. For some older terms that might still be in circulation today, check out the first entry we made in this series.
Two very large caveats to this list that remain the same:
1. Words and meanings change all the time, so what is popular today will be forgotten later today.
2. These are not for you. Do not use them. You will not sound relatable; you will sound old. Read that again-these are not for you.
Ready? Let's Go!
"Cooked" - Just like last time, we're starting with a pretty self-explanatory one. To be cooked, is to be doomed.
Example: I didn't study for this test, I'm cooked.
"Crash Out" - This is kind of an update to the "Menty B" of old, in that it means a person is going to flip their lid, freak out, have a strong emotional response.
Example: I'm gonna crash out if I don't get tater tots right now.
"Unc" - An old person. Think of this as the "OK Boomer" of a new generation.
Example: What were the 1900s like, unc?
"Pull Up" - To arrive. Yes, sometimes it is that simple.
Example: Send me a text when you pull up.
"Aura Farming" - This makes sense once you know that aura is an updated version of "Rizz." To farm aura is to try too hard to be cool or popular.
Example: Pulling up to this party uninvited is low-key aura farming.
"Gas" - Good, actually. It used to be fire, now it's gas.
Example: Yo, this food is gas.
"Locked In" - Focused. See? Simple. You might even hear younger coworkers use this one as it became popular among tech and business professionals.
Example: I'm so locked in, this report is straight gas.
"Chopped" - Bad, actually. Turns out your favorite Food Network show was ahead of the curve!
Example: My new haircut has me chopped.
"Chat" - This is how your tween addresses a group or how they might say 'everybody.'
Example: Chat, are you seeing this?
"It's Giving" - This phrase is how The Youth say, this reminds me of something else.
Example: That red and green outfit is giving Christmas.
*I did not include 6-7 because everyone needs a break from that phrase. It comes from a song and we're all just going to have to live with it until it stops being funny.