NickelBronx Slang Guide

Do you have Gen Z employees? If you find yourself struggling to understand them from time to time, you're not alone.

A few weeks ago, I told my son I loved "lunching" with him, and he asked me what it meant. Then, we did a bit of a deep dive on insta ,?which is really what started the conversation that became this email.

Slang is ephemeral, and the lexicon is always changing. We don't speak the way we did 20 years ago, and we won't speak this way in another twenty. Language evolves, and we need to adapt.?

To help you out, I'm dropping a Slang Guide below. If you're younger than I am - roll yours, forward to your friends, and feel free to clown who I like to believe is your only Gen X friend.?

NB Disclaimer: We are not suggesting you use this language. If it's new to you, you will likely sound ridiculous. We just want you to know what the kids are saying.

This Slang Guide is divided into three sections: 1) Slang everyone should know, 2) Slang indigenous to the DC area, and 3) Abbreviation translation for when the kids text you. Most of these have been around for a while, so if you know them all, use this opportunity to feel good about yourself.

General Slang:

Tea: This is pretty deep in the vernacular now - and you can use this freely - but I'm still shocked how many people don't know what it is. Tea is used to refer to gossip or inside information. It is often used in the phrase "spill the tea" or "serve the tea," which means to share juicy or exclusive details about a situation or person. If we've ever hung out - I've almost certainly served some tea. If you've seen the Kermit meme, now you know what it means.?

It's Giving: You can use this to identify a vibe something is giving off, like "it's giving Beyonce" or "it's giving Burning Man." It can also be used to just say "it's giving" as a compliment on its own. It's just, giving. Don't use this one.?

Slay: I know. This isn't new. It's having a moment again though, and it's fun, so consider this an honorable mention. Slay means kill (in a good way), like "she slayed her performance."?I'd much rather hear that my email slays than you found it informative.

Sus: Short for suspicious or suspect. If someone or something is sus, they can't be trusted.?

Gatekeep: Again very close its original meaning, but seeing a resurgence around sharing new trends, restaurants, clothing options, whatever. "I won't gatekeep. Here's my favorite new clothing brand..." A gatekeeper - is someone who tries to control access to knowledge and opportunities.?

Rizz: Short for charisma - but if you had it, you'd probably know that already.?

Cringe: Embarrassing, awkward or uncool. "Dad, don't say rizz that's so cringe." Something can also be cringy.?

Cap: A lie. So "no cap" is the truth. "No cap I got her number."

Fit: Both short for outfit, but also means just someone attractive.

Snatched: Perfect or attractive.?

Mid: Mid-tier of mediocre.?

DC Slang:

I thought a lot of this was just slang until I started traveling, but apparently, it's indigenous to the area. So while these aren't new, if you're not from here, now you'll know what they mean.

Lunchin:?It means acting crazy, doing too much, doing something foolish.?

Cised: This can just be that you're very excited - "I'm cised to go out." It can also mean that you're overhyping something. You can tell someone to "stop cising Taylor Swift" because you're not going to her concert. Or you might say - "That was the best meal I ever had, no cise," meaning you're not exaggerating.?

Bama: As someone who was born in Alabama, I take a small amount of offense to this, but this is anyone who is uncouth, sloppy, not smart. It?covers a lot. Just don't be a bama.?

Geeking: You're excited - but you're doing too much.?

Pressed: You're sweating something too much. You are upset or bothered by it.?

Abbrevations - Your Guide to Texting:

NPC: Calling someone a "non-playable character" refers to the background characters you can't play or interact with from video games. It's pretty derogatory and refers to someone who can't think for themselves and just regurgitates information.?

YT: A shortened version of white - "She likes yt boys."

ONG: "On God" - which means you're swearing that you're telling the truth.

ISTG: I swear to God.

??: I think everyone knows this - but the skull means dead, and dead means hilarious. It doesn't mean actually dead. Everyone is fine, Mom.?

BFFR: This looks close to BFF, but it's Be F*cking For Real. Be Real is one of NickelBronx's core values, so you may see this in our content.?

?BDE/SME: Big or Small D*ck Energy. Big is confident, aspirational, powerful. Small, is, not.?

ATP: Answer the phone!?

IYKYK: If you know, you know.

Okay, it never ends. But this should be enough to get you going. Feel free to ask if your employees, your kids, or your younger friends are using words you don't know! I mean ask them... Or ask Google. Don't ask me. I can't do this all day.?

With love as always,

B