11 Gen Z Slang Words That Make Gen X Roll Their Eyes

Remember when saying “whatever” was enough to annoy your parents? Well, the tables have turned. Gen X, the generation that grew up saying things like “psych,” “not,” and “as if,” now finds itself trying to decode conversations filled with “rizz,” “delulu,” and “no cap.”

For younger Americans, these expressions are everyday conversation. For some Gen X adults, they sound like someone accidentally switched their phone’s language settings.

And the confusion is real. A Preply survey of 1,043 Americans found that 30% of Gen X respondents struggled to understand younger coworkers. Still, not everyone is annoyed. Some Gen X parents happily borrow these expressions just to embarrass their children.

Here are 11 slang words that can create hilarious misunderstandings between the generations.

Rizz

Imagine hearing your teenager say, “That guy has serious rizz.” Your first thought might be that Rizz is someone’s nickname.

Actually, “rizz” refers to romantic charm or someone’s ability to attract a potential partner. Popularized by streamer Kai Cenat, the expression became so widespread that Oxford named it its 2023 Word of the Year.

For Gen X adults accustomed to calling someone charming, smooth, or attractive, “rizz” can sound unnecessarily complicated.

And things get even more confusing when someone talks about “rizzing up” another person. Apparently, flirting needed a software update.

Bet

Here’s where conversations can go sideways.

A parent says, “Make sure you’re home before ten.” Their teenager responds, “Bet.”

To someone unfamiliar with the expression, that might sound like a challenge. But in casual conversation, “bet” usually means “okay,” “agreed,” or “sounds good.”

Interestingly, Merriam-Webster traces this usage to African American English in the 1980s. That means the expression was around when many Gen X Americans were young.

The real problem isn’t necessarily the word itself. It’s the tone. Depending on how someone says it, “bet” can sound reassuring or suspiciously like they’re preparing to argue.

No Cap

Picture someone announcing, “That restaurant has the best burgers in town, no cap.”

A confused Gen X listener might wonder what hats have to do with hamburgers.

“No cap” simply means someone is telling the truth or isn’t exaggerating. The expression has roots in Black American slang and gained wider recognition through hip-hop and social media.

Of course, some older adults might wonder why people need to announce they’re being truthful.

Wouldn’t saying “seriously” accomplish the same thing?

Maybe. But where’s the fun in making language predictable?

Sus

Remember when people simply called something suspicious?

Now it’s “sus.”

The shortened expression became especially popular through the online game Among Us, where players try to identify suspicious characters.

Today, someone might describe an unfamiliar email, questionable excuse, or strange situation as “sus.”

For Gen X, the frustration may come from how casually the word gets thrown around.

If a coworker says a business proposal looks “sus,” that’s not particularly useful feedback. What exactly is wrong with it?

Sometimes, a complete explanation beats a trendy abbreviation.

Mid

This one can sting, especially when someone has put genuine effort into something.

Imagine spending all afternoon preparing a homemade dinner, only to hear your teenager announce, “It’s mid.”

Ouch.

“Mid” means mediocre, disappointing, or not particularly impressive.

According to Merriam-Webster, its modern slang meaning is believed to have developed from language describing mid-grade cannabis before spreading more widely online.

The problem isn’t complicated vocabulary. It’s that “mid” can dismiss something without explaining why.

A thoughtful review might be helpful. A one-word verdict after someone spent hours cooking? Not so much.

Bussin’

You prepare a beautiful family dinner, and your youngest guest announces, “These potatoes are bussin’!”

Before assuming something terrible has happened, relax. That’s a compliment.

“Bussin’” means extremely good or excellent, particularly when describing food.

Merriam-Webster identifies the expression as African American English slang, while TikTok helped introduce it to broader audiences.

For some Gen X adults, it might sound like someone is talking about catching a bus.

The good news? When someone calls your cooking “bussin’,” you’ve apparently done something right.

Just accept the compliment and pass the potatoes.

It’s Giving

Few expressions demonstrate the generational language gap quite like “it’s giving.”

Someone walks into a newly decorated living room and says, “It’s giving luxury hotel.”

Giving what, exactly?

Nothing needs to follow the verb in the traditional sense. The phrase means something creates a particular feeling, appearance, or atmosphere.

Its roots lie in Black and Latine LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, long before its wider popularity on social media.

The expression can be funny and surprisingly descriptive. But in situations requiring clear communication, it can leave people guessing.

Saying an office design is “giving chaos” might be entertaining. Explaining that the furniture blocks the walkway would be more practical.

The Ick

Dating conversations have become particularly interesting.

Someone might describe a promising romantic interest and then announce, “He gave me the ick.”

Translation? Something suddenly made that person less attractive.

The reason could be a genuinely unpleasant behavior or something completely harmless, like an unusual laugh.

Surprisingly, this isn’t entirely new terminology. Merriam-Webster connects an early use to the television series Ally McBeal in 1998.

Gen X viewers may have encountered the concept long before younger people popularized it online.

The difference is that social media makes everyone’s personal turnoffs available for public discussion.

And sometimes, the smallest things become the biggest dealbreakers.

Slay

Someone gets a promotion, wears an impressive outfit, or delivers an excellent presentation.

The response? “Slay!”

No swords involved.

In modern informal usage, “slay” expresses admiration for someone doing something exceptionally well.

Its contemporary cultural history is strongly connected to Black and Latino queer ballroom communities, with wider recognition through drag culture and popular music.

For some Gen X adults, hearing “slay” in response to ordinary accomplishments might feel excessive.

But compared with the more dismissive expressions on this list, this one is pretty harmless.

After all, enthusiastic encouragement isn’t exactly a terrible habit.

Delulu

Sometimes, confidence and wishful thinking become difficult to separate.

That’s where “delulu” comes in.

Shortened from “delusional,” the expression originally circulated in online K-pop fandoms before expanding into broader internet culture.

Today, someone might jokingly call themselves “delulu” for believing they’ll land an unlikely opportunity.

The playful slogan “delulu is the solulu” takes the idea even further.

For practical-minded listeners, this might sound like celebrating unrealistic expectations.

But younger speakers often use the word with deliberate humor, acknowledging that their hopes are wildly optimistic.

Sometimes it’s confidence. Sometimes it’s a joke. Context makes all the difference.

Ate and Left No Crumbs

Imagine hearing someone say, “She ate and left no crumbs,” immediately after a colleague finishes an outstanding presentation.

Was there a lunch meeting nobody mentioned?

Not quite.

The expression means someone performed exceptionally well, leaving little room for criticism.

Like several other popular phrases, it has roots in Black and Latino LGBTQ+ ballroom culture.

It’s a colorful compliment, but the literal meaning can leave unfamiliar listeners completely lost.

The easiest translation? “She absolutely nailed it.”

And suddenly, everyone understands.

Maybe Gen X and Gen Z Aren’t So Different

Here’s the funny part: Gen X had plenty of expressions that confused older generations, too.

Words and phrases like “psych,” “whatever,” and “talk to the hand” weren’t exactly masterpieces of formal English.

Today’s slang simply travels faster through gaming, streaming, music, and social media.

And while some Gen X adults might find these expressions annoying, others enjoy learning them or using them to embarrass younger family members.

The practical solution is surprisingly simple. Younger people can recognize when clear language matters, while older adults can ask what an unfamiliar expression means instead of immediately dismissing it.

Because every generation has its own vocabulary. Eventually, today’s cool expressions will sound hopelessly outdated, too.

No cap.