Tween Slang—According to Tweens
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O1 | Say What?
Trying to keep up with tween slang might just be the cringiest thing for all parties involved. It’s an awkward ride that often leaves adults asking, “what did they just say?!” It’s easy to get lost in a sea of “bruhs,” “slays,” and “bussins,” especially when 11-year-olds laugh at you for using it wrong. But don’t worry, YPulse has compiled our most anticipated trend survey The Tween Study to show brands everything they need to know about the lives of 8-12-year-olds. We’ve asked tweens what their most used slang words are in 2024 so brands can emerge with a newfound understanding of the youngest of consumers. But if they’re not careful, they’ll be as outdated as last year’s memes faster than they can say, “that’s so slay!” ?
This young gen already has a knack for turning everyday words into trendy expressions (just like teens). Here are the 10 most-used slang words among tweens right now—according to them:?
The multi-generational obsession with bra / bro / bruh?
Stemming from “bro,” (how Millennial surfer) these variations are used to address close friends or even family, much to the dismay of parents. However, you may notice in the comment sections that sometimes, “bro” is used to refer to a stranger in a deadpan disbelief. For example, a person doing something out of the norm might be met with a tween comment saying, “what is bro doing?” And “bruh” has a life of its own: the single word can mean “are you serious?” Trending audios across platforms have also included what’s known simply as the “bruh sound effect,” and it’s a quick calling card for memes. ?
Tweens are taking pages from Gen Z’s dictionary ?
At the end of 2023, YPulse asked Gen Z what they thought the word of the year was—“rizz” won. Oxford Dictionary picked the viral Gen Z slang “rizz,” as the word of the year, and our research found Gen Z agreed. Now, “rizz” sits in fifth place as 8-12-year-olds’ most-used slang words. Many of tweens’ other most-used slang list are repeats from Gen Z’s, which means 8-12-year-olds are learning from older teens (meaning they’re not “old” yet!). Naturally, this could be through interacting with older siblings IRL, but for tweens, watching older content creators / influencers online (which our research shows 92% of tweens do) is likely a major factor. ?
Like Gen Z, “cap” and “slay” are their next two most-used words. If you need a refresher, to “cap” is to lie or exaggerate; but when someone says “no cap,” it means they’re serious, no joke. When tweens tell you something “slays,” it’s a big compliment—liken it to Millennials’ “winning.” And brands will be happy to know “cool” (a rather timeless classic YPulse’s Cool Brands special report shows tons of young people very much still use) remains a staple in tween slang. Like “cool,” “bussin” and “lit” are also among 8-12-year-olds’ most-used slang. When something (usually food) is “bussin,” it’s especially good or delicious. But whether it’s food, music, or experiences, the term signifies high quality and overall enjoyment. Similarly, if something is “lit,” it’s exciting or fun. For their older Gen Z counterparts, “lit” is often used to describe parties, events, or activities that are buzzing with a good time. For tweens, they might describe their classroom’s Friday pizza party as “lit.”?
Their most-used slang is often rooted in African American Vernacular English (AAVE)?
It’s certainly worth noting that much of both tween and Gen Z slang, especially on social media, has roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). YPulse has reported before that appropriation from communities of color has been a long-standing conversation online and?the use of AAVE is not an exception, so brands should pay mind to this when picking up slang terms. ?
But respectfully acknowledging the connection between AAVE and young people’s vocab made?one teacher on TikTok go viral last year. The teacher, who goes by Larry Lexicon online, shared the “dictionary” he compiled by listening to his students over the year—which he shared with them, open for corrections. In a series of three TikToks, seemingly filmed by one of the students in the room, he shared his understanding of slang terms like “rizz” and “cap.” In the spirit of being more accurate, he adjusted the title to “The African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) Inspired Gen Z Term Dictionary,” which encouraged education for his students and viewers. ?
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Knowing this, it’s important for brands to tread carefully when using slang (even if the tweens themselves aren’t aware of potential complications). Like all things, there’s a time and place, but at the very least, understanding the most-used slang words is a step in the right direction if brands don’t want to sound too cringe. ?
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