These generations are lost in translation.
Gen X isn’t exactly “slaying” when it comes to understanding their zoomer children’s slang — but Gen Z is similarly stumped by the popular words and phrases their parents said way back in the day.
The Post took to Times Square to host the ultimate fun showdown — Gen X vs. Gen Z in a battle of the slang — and the results were mixed.
We asked Gen Xers the meaning of five slang words currently used by Zoomers, including “serve,” “stan” and “rizz.”
To test whether their kids could speak fluent throwback, we subsequently quizzed Gen Z teens on five slang words popular among Gen X back in the 1980s and 1990s, including pop culture-inspired “gnarly,” “grody” and “tubular.”
If you fancy yourself a superior slang decoder, take our test below and find out whether you fared better than those we stopped on the street.
GEN X SLANG
Gnarly
According to Surfer Today, gnarly “originated from the word ‘gnarled,’ meaning ‘knobbly, rough, and twisted, especially with age.’”
It first came into usage way back in the mid-18th century and kept its literal meaning for more than 200 years before it was appropriated by California surfers in the 1970s to describe something completely different.
The slang word subsequently became 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 mean either difficult and challenging or excellent and cool
Bogart
This popular Gen X slang word baffled the Gen Z participants who took part in our quiz, with several theorizing it was related to the “Harry Potter” universe, in which a “boggart” is a shape-shifting creature that takes the form of its observer’s fear.
However, the word is actually inspired by Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart, who often kept a cigarette in his mouth without smoking it in scenes from his famed black-and-white movies.
Thus, to “Bogart” something means to hog or monopolize on something without sharing.
Tubular
Another slang word that originated in California’s surfing culture, “tubular” was initially used to describe a hollow, curling wave.
By the late 1980s, it had entered Gen X lexicon with a different meaning and reached peak usage after “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” in 1989.
Zoomers quizzed by The Post were mystified by the term, which fell out of fashion long before they were born.
It was widely used by Gen X to describe something cool, awesome or — imagine Keanu Reeves saying it — most excellent.
Bodacious
This Gen X slang word stayed popular even as they aged out of their teens and into parenthood.
“Bodacious” was subsequently picked up by millennials — but only a few zoomers we tested were able to guess its meaning.
It’s used to describe someone impressive or remarkable. Additionally, it’s used as an adjective for someone who is sexually attractive.
Grody
“Grody” is an American variation of “grotty” — a British slang word first made famous by The Beatles in the 1964 film “A Hard Day’s Night.”
In California, “grody” gained traction in the surfing community in the early 1980s, and several Zoomers we quizzed correctly guessed its meaning. However, they all insisted it’s no longer a part of everyday conversation.
A shortening of the word “grotesque,” it’s slang for gross, disgusting or unpleasant.
GEN Z SLANG
Stan
The origin of this popular Gen Z slang word dates back to the year 2000 — long before Zoomers held cultural sway.
Inspired by Eminem’s song “Stan,” released in that year, it’s a term used to describe a devoted — and possibly deranged — fan.
Conveniently, it’s also a portmanteau of the words “stalker” and “fan.”
One hip Gen X dad, James Curran, 47, from New Jersey, correctly guessed the meaning of the slang word and was even able to explain that it originated from the Eminem track.
Slay
“Slay” is derived from the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene but has become a key part of Zoomer vernacular in recent years.
Several Gen X parents were able to guess the meaning of this word correctly, possibly thanks to Beyoncé’s iconic hit “Formation,” in which she sings: “I slay all day.”
It’s commonly used to describe someone’s appearance or accomplishment, e.g., “You’re slaying in that outfit.”
Serve
Despite being a popular variation of “slay,” most Gen X’ers weren’t able to guess the meaning of this word correctly.
It’s used to describe someone or something that looks good or amazing. For instance: “You’re serving in those shoes.”
Rizz
First used by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, this word is now a Gen Z slang staple.
It stumped many Gen X’ers who participated in our Post pop quiz, despite the fact that it’s an abbreviation of an actual word.
“Rizz” refers to charisma and is often used to describe an unconventionally attractive male who has an indescribable allure over gorgeous women.
Delulu
While most Gen Xers we quizzed were able to identify the meaning of this colloquialism, one mom was left baffled.
“I know Labubu, but not ‘delulu,’” Gen X mom Angelique, 52, told The Post as her daughter, Michelle, 18, stood laughing alongside her.
Labubus are, of course, the viral collectible dolls from China that are currently the hottest toys on the global market.
“Delulu,” on the other hand, is a colloquialism for “delusional” and is often used in a romantic context when the person reads into the actions of their crush a little too much.
The results
Gen X came out on top, with an overall score of 48%. However, that means that most participants didn’t guess a majority of the five words correctly.
But zoomers fared even worse, with a score of 41%, failing to understand the meanings behind their parents’ generation’s popular slang.
Read the full article here
