I am a “Baby Boomer” while my students are all in “Gen Alpha”. Admittedly they would have a totally different slang system that I don’t know and honestly, don’t care to learn. Two of my students, a 5th grade and a 6th grade girl, teamed up to make an instructional slide show. They also made a multiple choice quiz.
I think they were surprised at how well I did on the quiz, but I pointed out that while I won’t remember any of this tomorrow, I know how to study for a test: Take notes! I wrote each word and the definition on a sticky note.
While we were watching the slide show, I continually asked, “If the principal walks in right now, would he be OK with this?” I kept getting the feeling from them that they were doing something wrong, and I was oblivious to it. They assured me that there was nothing above PG rating in the slide show. But there were a few that were cringy.
Here is a list of the words. (Let me know in the comments which ones you knew.)
1. sigma
2. hyperpigmentation
3. nonchalant
4. cap
5. rizz
6. girl math
7. goat
8. delulu
9. baddie
10. low taper fade
11. mewing
12. bussin
13. Ohio
14. aura
15. skibidi toilet
16. fantum tax
How did you do? I only knew 4 of them because they are words that have been around a while. The most cringy for me was “girl math”. I think it’s time to stop this stereotyping of girls. In truth, all of them have a bite of stereotyping and sass. They don’t give me confidence in our Alpha generation that are way too tech savvy and on their phones 24/7. I guess that’s why the title of the slideshow was “Brain Rot Words.”
What did impress me was the level of time and work these girls put into creating the slideshow and how serious they were about informing me. I hope I made a decent grade on the test. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to take a test.
Reflections on the Teche 
I think there are maybe 4 I know, a few more I’ve at least heard… and several I’d be afraid to hear what they mean. It’s kind of amazing the time and effort that went into the slides. And it must say something, how much they wanted to share it with you…
Great post! I teach eighth graders and I knew 7 of the words. Part of me worries about the next generation, but part of me appreciates the effort to communicate outside of the accepted language. I remember coded words we added to hastily passed notes in my own youth. We did not believe the adults around us could possibly understand what the world looked like to us.
I had to laugh at your question about the principal coming in! I knew 7 on your list, but there were quite a few new ones for me. Maybe they just haven’t come up north yet. I am very uncomfortable when kids use a word, ask me to say it, or if I know its meaning when I clearly do not know! It is a tricky time to be teaching middle schoolers! Fun moment to capture!
I am with you I knew four – I feel I am out of touch. I do not spend time with this group of kids now. I will see what I learn as my grandson ages in to this language form. 🙂 Ok I have have wonder is this why DT wears a cap? as well as EM? Sorry for dropping politics into this.
It may not be why they wear a cap but why the term cap means liar.
I failed the test. I know 3, 7, and 15, and that’s all. Goodness, I need to up my game! I think it’s fabulous that you are allowing your students to teach and be the experts on this generation’s vocabulary. I’m with you – – I would have wondered all along if they had any meanings that might get me in trouble. I’m glad you have honest kiddos!
Love this! I not only teach 9th graders, I have one in my house (and an 11th grader) – still, I only knew 8 for sure. I will now go and ask my children about the rest of them. 🙂
8 is a great score! You didn’t even have any of the hints.
I knew only 2 of the words. Major fail! lol I guess the slang hasn’t arrived in second grade yet. Thank goodness! (Maine tends to be on the tail end of trendy, too.) This was a great idea for a slice and I love how invested your students were in creating it.
Like you, after the test I told them “Now I have something to slice about. “
Wow. I’m SO out of it. And you know what? I’m okay with that!!
That’s exactly what I thought.
This is so funny! I’m an (elder) millennial with two Alpha gen daughters. I’m always walking the line of wanting to know what this stuff means, so I’m not clueless, and NOT wanting to know because — ugh! I admit to fully adopting a few of them. Rizz is my fav and truly useful!
Two of my fifth graders made me a Gen Alpha Slang Cheat Sheet- I have told them my goal is to uncool the words. They laugh so much when I drop in their words. The slang is here in Cambodia for sure.
Margaret, I didn’t know any of those words! I liked seeing two of their slides; I can see they put a lot of time into it. I kind of like the word delulu.
I am taking time on Sunday to read the Sat slicers who posted after me and I found YOU! And quickly failed the quiz! How fun that your students are teaching you. Their slices rock! (my attempt at old-time slang!!)