I listen when teenagers talk. I’m utterly fascinated, and I “lift” turns-of-phrase from the conversations between my teenage kids and their friends. Here’s the running list:
Bet—Try me. (Alicia: “Chemistry is a tragedy. No way you ace the final.”; Haven: “Bet.”)
Boi—Essentially “oh boy” when someone does something stupid. “Really?” is also acceptable. Can also be used when a fictional male character is pure or adorable.
Canon—What actually happens in a movie or show, including the typical, expected pairings. (i.e. “Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. It’s canon.”)
Head Canon—In a show, something that doesn’t actually happen but could logically be extrapolated behind-the-scenes to fit one’s own view of the character. (Example: “Bruce Banner and Pepper Potts. I ship it.”)
Cursed—What you call an object, a picture or a work of art that engenders a feeling of humor and fear, combined with confusion as to why that image exists in the first place. Example: You see a giant plastic Mike Wazowski costume at Walmart. The costume doesn’t cover the model’s head. The fact that you know what it is and yet it’s so wrong makes you feel uncomfortable and also makes you laugh. Or, alternatively, the picture of an “eyeball kiss” (where two people’s eyeballs are touching). Why did they make that?!?
Extra—An adjective used to describe someone who is over-the-top dramatic all the time. (Example: “Here comes Amy. She’s so extra.”)
Fam—Your family of friends (not blood-related).
Flex—A comment on someone showing off, but typically used in a sardonic way. (Example: Xander: “I just stuffed ten Oreos into my mouth at the same time!” Dash: “Weird flex, dude, but okay.” Alternatively: “I have this cute outfit and I can’t wait to flex on all of my friends.”
Garbo—Indicating that something is awful, garbage, trash.
Get rekt—A comment to add right after someone is verbally roasted. (Example: A roasting insult was just leveled at Archer. Elowyn winces and says, “Ow. Get rekt.”)
Legit—The straight truth. Fact.
Lit or Super-lit—Cool. Awesome.
My dood—A greeting for a friend. (Example: “What’s up, my dood?”)
My soul would depart my body—That’s gross.
OTP—One True Pairing. The ideal match, usually applied to characters in a show.
NoTP—The worst possible pairing, usually applied to characters in a show.
Sadness—Said when someone disappoints you. (Example: “You’re not going to the dance? Sadness.”)
Ship it—Characters who, according to the speaker, SHOULD be paired in a movie or show. These are imaginary pairings, specifically NOT the canon pairing, and sometimes a gay pairing. (Example: “Captain America and Bucky. I ship it.”)
Soft—Precious. Sweet. (Example: “Did you see that? She didn’t have enough money so her friend just paid for her entire lunch. That’s soft.”)
Truth—If it’s true and you agree. (Example: Andy: “I just ate at McDonald’s, and my stomach hurts”; Kathy: “Truth.”
Yeet—An all-purpose utterance for moments of disgust, exclamation or triumph. It can also be used instead of “Yes”. (Example: Upon seeing a gross squish of something on the floor: “Yeet!” Alternatively—Question: “Did you get your homework assignment?”; Answer: “Yeet.”)
You’re done—When you’ve bungled something so badly you should just quietly retreat and shut your mouth.
You’ve yeed your last haw—A playful threat.
Visual Metaphor as Language—Lastly, there is a whole gesturing language being used amongst the teenage cabal surrounding my daughter. If they’re feeling an emotion, they’ll find a fitting visual surrogate, point and drop a one-word clarification. (Example: Pointing at a trashcan. “Me.” Explanation: Elo is feeling low.)