Swag... Bae... Antidisestablishmentarianism.
All common, modern-day slang words. And all outrageously overused. If you listen to your typical young adult hold a conversation, such words would be said often enough that if you were playing a "millennial slang drinking game," by the end of the conversation you would be more, "Wooohoooooo!!!" than a white girl on spring break.
It seems that anytime nowadays when a word or phrase busts its way into pop culture, people will use the word over and over, beating it into the ground until the mere mention of it will make people go completely ballistic.
This phenomenon has its roots in the word "YOLO," an expression that Drake coined in his 2011 song "The Motto." It immediately became a piece of the vernacular that everyone and their mother was using to justify everything from a few lines of cocaine to wearing your unwashed underwear for the fourth day in a row.
And this trend of overusing slang words continues today in millenials' speech. And I am one of the worst offenders. There have been periods of time where most of my conversations have consisted primarily of words that can't be found in a dictionary. And sometimes it feels like I only express myself through these slang words. Like, how else am I supposed to describe Palm Sunday mass other than "Iz lit?"
Well, I've come to find there are actually a lot of ways. So, in this article, I shall take you through some slang words and how to supplement them with real life words so that you may avoid the pitfalls I've suffered and diversify your language.
1. Turnt
"Turnt" is used to express a state of drunken fun.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "Let's get Turnt," say, "Let's drink until we puke and wake up hating life."
2. Gem
"Gem" is often used as a term of endearment on social media when people make a post about a friend/ significant other on their birthday or anniversary.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "HBD to this gem! 😃😃🎉🎉😘😘" say, "HBD to this gal who, like a gemstone, was mined by African warlords and is way too expensive."
3. Sorry About It
"Sorry about it" is used to basically say "fuck you" to someone who feels slighted by you, but you just don't care.
But to diversify, say, "Cursed be this day, for I have failed thee in thy most dire hour! Never again shall this day be known as the first of August, but rather the day I so wretchedly bestowed upon you a pen without any ink. Do not look upon me in anger, for the shame I feel is punishment enough."
4. Gucci
"Gucci" is used as an expression of being cool.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "It's Gucci," say, "I found it to be most congruent with the things, events, ideas, and places I've come to find pleasurable throughout my lifetime."
5. Rekt
"Rekt" is a term used to describe someone or something that just got destroyed either verbally or physically.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "That running back just got rekt by that linebacker," say, "Because of the linebacker's superior size and the two players' equal speeds, the linebacker was bringing greater force when the two collided, thereby causing the running back to be violently knocked backwards. Sports!"
6. On fleek
"On fleek" is an expression used to describe perfection.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "Princess Leia's hair is on fleek," say, "I find the way Princess Leia's buns are put up on both sides of her head to be aesthetically pleasing."
7. Yasss Queen
"Yasss Queen" is an expression used over social media to express glee for a female when they say/do something.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "Yasss Queen, you tell them!" Say, "Most verily! You are a female emulating regal qualities, and I support your behavior!"
8. Lit
"Lit" is similar to turnt, but is used to describe an event/party more than a person.
But to diversify, instead of saying, "That party was lit," say, "That gala was a jolly good time filled with merriment and adult beverages."
9. Slay
"Slay" is a word used to express solidarity or support for the slayer when they go off on someone. For example, Beyonce's Lemonade stuff was shared all over social media by people who would share the article/song and just write, "Slay."
But to diversify, I suggest getting to the root of the word, slay, and just saying, "Murder!"
Thanks for reading, fam. Keep it 💯. Stay Turnt 5ever.