Why is everyone being ‘very demure’ and how can a brain even rot?
As Gen Z takes the world by storm, it feels like they’re doing it in a whole new language that leaves a lot to the imagination.
These digital trendsetters are changing the way we talk, text and tweet with their new slang, and whether you’re trying to keep up IRL or online, you’re going to need to know which terms they’re using and what they mean.
If you’re looking to speak the language of the next generation to effectively connect with young people, you’re going to need this cheat sheet!
Brain Rot
“Bro, I’ve got straight-up brain rot from scrolling TikTok all night— my brain is mush at this point.”
Say hello to Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024, continuing the trend of language influenced by online Gen Z culture to make the Word of the Year shortlists.
Brain rot is the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state” after consuming too much trivial content online.
It certainly isn’t a new term–in fact, it’s been around since the 19th century but was just used a little differently back then, like, not in relation to social media.
And while it may not be a recent concept, it’s been widely used on TikTok this year, increasing by 250% in frequency per million words from 2023 to 2024 according to Oxford University Press.
Demure
“She acts all demure and lowkey, but we all know she’s the biggest vibe once the music starts.”
Just behind brain rot on Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year shortlist was demure–a term to describe someone being reserved or shy in a way that’s considered elegant or dignified.
The term rose to fame following a moment in the spotlight in August when Jools Lebron went viral on TikTok for describing her work outfit as ‘very demure, very mindful’.
The result was a whirlwind media storm linking everything to being modest and not drawing too much attention to yourself.
Stan
“Beyonce never misses–I’m such a stan.”
Combining the words ‘stalker’ and ‘fan’, a stan is an excessively enthusiastic supporter of something. Could be a band, or a sports team–there are even Pokemon stans.
The slang term rose to fame in 2000 following the release of the Eminem song of the same name about a more dangerous super fan.
A stan isn’t always a negative thing though–it’s just used to describe someone who’s perhaps obsessive, but not necessarily an actual crazy stalker.
Slay
“You absolutely slayed in that outfit today, girl!”
Want to know the best way to hype up a Gen Z or tell them they did something really well? They SLAYED!
Slay is used to describe someone doing something exceptionally well or looking amazing while doing it. It can be used to praise someone’s appearance or their achievements, so long as they did it with style or confidence.
Rizz
“He’s got mad rizz–she was laughing at everything he said.”
Rizz is quite simply just short for charisma. It refers to someone’s ability to flirt or charm other people, or can be used to describe style or attractiveness.
While it’s been used as internet slang for a while, it was made popular by American YouTuber and Twitch streamer, Kai Cenat, in mid-2021 and then quickly became viral on TikTok. Cenat went on to share how to have ‘rizz’ and used the terms ‘W rizz’ and ‘L rizz’ to describe a person’s winning or losing abilities to chat up a potential love interest.
Rizz beat out ‘Swiftie’, ‘situationship’ and ‘prompt’ to become Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year.
Need more?
Goblin Mode – being unapologetically lazy or messy.
Snatched – a way to describe someone looking incredible, particularly their outfit.
Mid – something average or mediocre.
Glow Up – a noticeable improvement in a person’s look or personality.
Simp – someone who’s overly attentive or submissive to the person they like.
While we hope these slang terms arm you with the vocab you need to hold a conversation with even the coolest Gen Zs, we appreciate these are just a few of many new words young people are using today and it can be hard to keep up!
If you need more ways to cut through the noise, Student Edge knows exactly how to connect with Gen Z on their terms (and yours). To put your brand in touch with young people in a way that works for you, contact us now.
