As the calendar flips to a new year, our vocabulary gets a trendy upgrade with fresh English slang taking center stage. Thanks to TikTok and other social platforms, these phrases are now making waves in everyday conversations. Whether you want to stay relevant or simply decode the chatter online, here are 10 must-know slang terms to breeze through 2024.
1. Delulu A playful abbreviation for “delusional,” this term originated from the K-pop community but has since become mainstream. It’s often used to describe someone being unrealistically optimistic or unrealistic altogether. For instance, if your friend plans to run a marathon without training, you might say, “You’re so delulu!”
2. Coded This term describes how certain behaviors or characteristics align with a specific stereotype or essence. For example, a particularly cheerful friend might be described as “golden-retriever-coded.” You can mix and match this with just about anything, making it a fun and creative expression.
3. Roman Empire What do you find yourself constantly thinking about? That’s your “Roman Empire.” Popularized through TikTok trends, it highlights the surprising things that dominate people's thoughts. For some, it could be an old breakup; for others, it might be their favorite boy band splitting up.
4. Vibing An oldie but goldie, “vibing” has remained relevant for years. It refers to feeling a connection or enjoying something wholeheartedly. Whether it’s a song, a person, or even a food combo, you can say, “I’m totally vibing with this!”
5. Altered My Brain Chemistry This term is used when something impacts you on a deep emotional or mental level. It could be a significant life event or a funny video that sticks with you for hours. For example, “That movie altered my brain chemistry—it was so good!”
6. Beige Flag Building on the concepts of “red flags” (warnings) and “green flags” (positives), beige flags point out odd but harmless quirks in someone’s behavior. For instance, if someone enjoys folding candy wrappers into tiny squares, you might call it a beige flag—peculiar, but not alarming.
7. Side Quest Borrowed from video game lingo, a “side quest” refers to minor, unexpected detours in your day. For example, stopping for ice cream during a quick grocery run could be called a side quest. It’s a fun way to highlight spontaneous moments.
8. Side Eye If someone looks at you with skepticism or judgment, you’re getting the “side eye.” Popularized by TikTok’s “bombastic side eye” trend, this slang is great for calling out subtle disapproval without needing to say a word.
9. In the Room with Us When someone’s perspective seems wildly off, you can use this phrase humorously. For example, if someone insists their orange sweater is green, you might ask, “Is the green sweater in the room with us?” It’s a witty way to highlight discrepancies in perception.
10. Mother Move over, “queen.” The new way to show admiration or respect is by calling someone “mother.” Most often used for celebrities, it can also apply to anyone who exudes inspiration or authority. For instance, “Beyoncé is literally mother!”
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