Decoding Millennial Slang | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Decoding Millennial Slang

Making sense of the foreign language of millennial youth.

3585
Decoding Millennial Slang
ytimg

As a college-aged girl, I don’t exactly fit in with the “millennial” stereotype and everyday words that people my age use low key confuse me. What is this new language my peers are speaking? Why would you want something to be on fire? Did I put too much salt on the potatoes? I'm triggered. So, in light of my un-wokeness, I have created this lit article for my fam to hopefully shed light on this confusing terminology...without being too savage.

1. “Lit”/ “Fire”

Definition: These words are used for when things are popping or happening (not on fire). You hear someone say this and you know you're in the right place.

Sentence: Yo, this party is LIT!

Synonyms: cool, awesome, extraordinary, great, fun, crazy, off the hook

2. “Dead”

Definition: Don't worry, nobody is hurt. You just literally cannot even explain how funny something is to someone else.

Sentence:That joke was so funny, I'm dead!

Synonyms: flabbergasted, speechless, surprised, astonished, frazzled, aghast, taken aback

3. "Low key"

Definition: Not to be confused with high key, this word is used for when you want to tell someone something in secret. Goodbye world of secretly folded notes!

Sentence:Low key, he fine tho.

Synonyms: a little bit, on the down low, sort of, maybe, secret, really, perhaps

4. "Savage"

Definition: Apparently being so blunt that you don't care if it hurts someone's feelings became so cool and popular to millennials that they actually coined a word for it.

Sentence: The way Jonathan talked back to the teacher was so savage!!

Synonyms: hardcore, brutal, honest, blunt, unfiltered, cold, apathetic

5. "Triggered"

Definition: Something someone does/says that makes you uncontrollably mad. In my case, baked spaghetti; why cook it twice?

Sentence: Daniel was triggered when Blake kept flirting with his sister.

Synonyms: mad, upset, angry, ranting, annoyed, irritated, vexed

6. "Woke"

Definition: If you always know what is going on in the surrounding areas, sleep no more. You are woke.

Sentence: Sean was so woke when we talked; I wish I could be like him.

Synonyms: aware, enlightened, open-minded, superior, smart, informed, educated

7. "Fam"

Definition: This word is just an abbreviation for family. A total friend; your people.

Sentence: Thanks fam, you're the best!

Synonyms: buddy, pal, close friend, bro, peer, chum, mate

8. "Turnt"

Definition: You know you're in for a good time when something is turnt. It's usually really awesome and exciting. But beware, someone that is turnt can be a little messy (if you know what I mean).

Sentence: That party was so turnt last night.

Synonyms: hype, awesome, great, rad, crunk, crazy, drunk

9. "Salty"

Definition: Originally used as a term for food, millennials have coined it as a term to describe someone that is jealous or angry about a situation.

Sentence: I am so salty that Brian asked Jessica to the dance and not me.

Synonyms: mad, disgusted, upset, jealous, annoyed, bitter, agitated

10. "Extra"

Definition: Ever have that one person that also has too much to say about a situation? This is your word.

Sentence: Why is Erin always so extra?

Synonyms: excessive, over the top, unnecessary, inappropriate, extraneous, too much, uncalled for


I hope that this has helped most of you understand the foreign language of the millennial youth. With the help of my turnt friends Aubrey and Makenzy, I can now be hipand fit in to today's societal norms.

Stay woke, fam.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

188958
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14119
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457268
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26284
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments