Gen Z vs. Gen Alpha Slang
Gen Z has a reputation for having their own slang– including communication through emojis– and now Gen Alpha is catching up with them with their own language. From “sigma” to “Ohio” to “skibidi,” Gen Alpha is including memes in their everyday vernacular at home, in the classrooms, and online.
As marketers, we know how important it is to understand our audiences– and language is just one piece of the puzzle.
We consulted our culture experts here at Movers+Shakers to decode and compare Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang so you don’t have to:
Gen Z Slang vs. Gen Alpha Slang
Ate vs. Sigma
Translation: Popular/successful/cool.
Gen Z’s Use: Oh my god did you see her outfit? I loved it, she ate.
Gen Alpha’s Use: What the sigma, look at her outfit!
Serving vs. Mewing
Translation: Looks amazing.
Gen Z’s Use: Wow, his jawline is serving.
Gen Alpha’s Use: Wow, his jawline… he’s definitely been mewing.
What is mewing? An exercise that’s supposed to strengthen and accentuate your jawline. Gen Alpha also often uses the movement as a way to not answer a question, particularly from a teacher or parent. “I can’t answer your question right now, I’m mewing.”
Jail vs. Negative Aura
Translation: When something bad happens.
Gen Z’s Use: He literally called me out in front of a huge group of people… jail.
Gen Alpha’s Use: -1000 (negative 1000) aura for calling me out in front of a huge group.
Florida vs. Ohio
Translation: Something that’s really strange, or it can mean loser.
Gen Z’s Use: What’s up with the people in this restaurant… Feels like we’re in Florida.
Gen Alpha’s Use: What’s up with the people in this restaurant… Only in Ohio
Snatch vs. Fanum Tax
Translation: Steal.
Gen Z’s Use: Hey, I snatched some of your fries while you were in the bathroom.
Gen Alpha’s Use: [After stealing a french fry from their friend at lunch]: Fanum tax!
What’s Fanum Tax? It comes from the comedy creator and streamer Fanum, and refers to the way he would jokingly "tax" his friends by taking bits of their food when they were eating.
More Gen Alpha slang terms
Beta
Translation: Weak or not cool.
Gen Alpha’s Use: I couldn’t even do one push-up in P.E. class today… felt so beta.
Podium
Translation: Something really good, but not necessarily the best ever.
Gen Alpha’s Use: I got a 95% on my test, that’s podium.
Skibidi / Skibidi Toilet
Translation: Bad/Trash, stems from a YouTube Series.
Gen Alpha’s Use: What the skibidi is this food?!
Mad Lit
Translation: Something that’s really cool.
Gen Alpha’s Use: The slumber party we had last weekend was mad lit.
Rizzler
Translation: Someone who has a lot of game when it comes to dating.
Gen Alpha’s Use: Every girl has a crush on him, that’s a rizzler.
