This month, I'm discussing one of my pet peeves and a daily annoyance in my life. I’m talking about the new Gen Alpha lingo. If it’s not my thirteen-year-old daughter, her friends, my nephews, teens I work with, or even my little ones, I am constantly hearing these nonsensical words. I must admit, it starts to become akin to the sound of nails on a chalkboard.

I have to ask myself: Is this new jargon somehow beneficial for today’s youth, or harmful? First, let’s break it down:

· Gen Z (Born approximately between 1997 and 2012): The first generation to grow up with smartphones, social media, and the internet as a regular part of life from a young age. They're known for being tech-savvy, socially aware, and fluent in online culture. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are central to their social lives.

· Gen Alpha (Born approximately between 2013 and the mid-2020s): A generation growing up in a fully digital world. They are children of Millennials and older Gen Zs. YouTube Kids, TikTok, streaming content, and AI-driven technology shape their early years. While they are still developing their identities, they are already influencing trends with their online humor and language.

Everyday slang and meanings:

· Alpha—A man or boy who acts confident, dominant, and takes charge, often seen as a leader in social situations. Sometimes used jokingly or ironically.

Example: “Total alpha.”
Meaning: “He’s super confident, or cocky.”

· Sigma—A "lone wolf" type who doesn’t follow the crowd but still has confidence and influence. It’s often used online to describe someone who does their own thing, quietly powerful.

Example: “He’s sigma.”
Meaning: “He does his own thing, and people respect that.”

· Skibidi—A silly or random-sounding word often used in memes or TikTok. It usually doesn’t have a real meaning and is used just for fun or humor.

Example: “Skibidi! I just failed that test.”
Meaning: They’re being goofy or dramatic in a playful way.

· Riz—Short for "charisma." It means someone’s ability to attract or flirt with others smoothly. If you “have riz,” you're good at charming people.

Example: “He’s got riz!”
Meaning: “He’s flirty in a smooth, charming way, and knows how to talk to people.”

· Hear Me Out—A phrase used before sharing an unexpected or controversial opinion, especially about someone or something that might not be traditionally attractive or popular. Sometimes used humorously.

Example: “Hear me out… Shrek!”
Meaning: “I know this sounds weird, but Shrek is kind of hot!”

· Brain Rot—When someone spends too much time online or watching random content and ends up feeling mentally fried. It’s used jokingly to describe mindless scrolling.

· Bro / Brah—Casual, friendly terms for “dude” or “friend.” “Brah” is just a playful variation of “bro.” Often used to show shock, excitement, or shared emotion.

· Don’t Go Bald—A humorous way of telling someone to stay calm or not get too emotional. It implies they’re stressing out so much they might lose their hair — not literally, just exaggerated for laughs.

Example: “Bro! Don’t go bald.”
Meaning: “Relax! You’re stressing way too hard about this.”

· Gyatt—A slang word used to express shock or excitement, especially in reaction to someone’s body, and typically a curvy buttock. It comes from how some people say “goddamn!” quickly or exaggeratedly.

Example: “GYATT!”

Meaning: They’re reacting (sometimes mockingly) to someone’s body, particularly the buttock portion of the body.

· Chat (Streamer Slang)—A nickname for the live audience or comment section during a livestream, like on Twitch, YouTube, or TikTok. Even when not streaming, kids (especially Gen Alpha) use “chat” to pretend they’re talking to an audience, just like their favorite streamers do.

Example: “That’s not scary, chat.”

Meaning: “I’m reacting to something, and I’m talking to my imaginary viewers.”

· Booty Chic—This term started as a real trend celebrating curves in fashion and pop culture. But in Gen Alpha slang, it’s been flipped into a sarcastic insult used to roast things that are gross or low-quality. It is similar to their use of the term “cringe,” with a slight variation. Cringe refers more to something embarrassing or awkward, whereas booty chic is used to refer to something nasty or low effort.

Example: “Dinner was booty chic!”

Meaning: “Dinner was disgusting.”

· Shawty—A word that has been used in hip-hop culture for decades and is now used in internet culture to refer to an attractive person, often a girl or young woman.

Example: “She’s a shawty!”

Meaning: “She’s hot/attractive!”

The terms I take issue with the most are “Alpha” and “Sigma.” “Alpha male" comes from studies observing captive wolves in the 1940s, where the “alpha” was seen as the dominant leader of the pack. Later observations of wolves in the wild have shown that wolf packs operate more like families than like dominance-based groups. “Sigma male” came later, mainly from internet forums around the 2010s. It describes a man who’s just as capable as an alpha but quiet, independent, and like a lone wolf; someone who doesn’t need a social hierarchy to thrive.

These ideas were popularized in human culture to describe strong, confident, take-charge men, often in dating or business contexts. Today, the terms are frequently used in online communities to promote toxic masculinity, rigid gender roles, and oversimplified identity boxes. Boys and men are more complex than a two-label system. Reducing personality or value to a “type” can reinforce harmful ideas about gender and power.

Many young people today use terms like "alpha" and "sigma" casually without realizing their historical context or the outdated and problematic ideas associated with them. Another example is “booty chic,” which was once used to celebrate the body positive fashion movement, but now, in Gen Alpha slang, it’s been flipped into a sarcastic insult.

I have asked youth I know to define these terms, and their responses indicate either a surface-level understanding, a misunderstanding, or that they flat out have no idea what it means. So, if they don’t understand, does that make it harmless?

In my experience, the misunderstandings of these terms can be harmful. One youth I know was told she had a “big fat gyatt” at school. This was the first time she had heard the term. She later looked it up online and read that “gyatt means ass.” This was humiliating for her and also led to body image issues. In recent months, she has used the term herself jokingly, indicating that it has become normalized for her and is now part of her everyday speech. “Gyatt,” whether used humorously, playfully, or as an insult, perpetuates the reduction of women to their bodies and contributes to a culture of objectification. It reinforces the idea that a woman’s value is tied to their looks.

Another youth told me that she was told multiple times at school, “Don’t go bald!” She explained to me that this means she has a huge forehead and a “receding hairline.” When I shot back in astonishment and protectiveness, assuring her that this idea was untrue and absurd, I was met with adamance that her forehead was “gigantic” and that people at school thought she was going bald.

So, is there an upside to slang? Yes, most definitely! Not all slang is negative. Youth slang often reflects creativity, connection, and even resilience. Here are a few pros:

· It fosters belonging—Knowing and using slang helps youth feel like part of a group.

· It sparks innovation—Young people constantly remix language, humor, and culture in clever, surprising ways.

· It builds digital fluency—Understanding and navigating online language is part of being literate in today’s world.

· It gives voice to identity—Slang lets youth express their individuality, values, and humor safely.

· It connects them to generational culture—Each generation carves out its language and style. Slang helps youth feel connected to their time, their peers, and their culture.

How can parents and caring adults support their children? While modern slang can feel aggravating, confusing, or even harmful, it’s also a part of how young people experiment with their identity, connect with peers, and make sense of the world. Admittedly, I have not always handled conversations with youth on this topic ideally, because certain words and phrases grate on my last nerve! Yet, most generations think that way about the language of the next. Instead of dismissing it outright, parents and caregivers can:

· Stay curious, not judgmental—Ask your child what a word means and how they use it. Their answer might surprise you—and open the door to deeper conversations.

· Talk about values, not just vocabulary—Use slang as an opportunity to talk about respect, consent, body image, and kindness, especially when words are tied to objectification or stereotypes.

· Set boundaries without shaming—If a term feels inappropriate or hurtful, it’s okay to explain why it crosses a line, while still respecting that kids are navigating social pressures too.

· Model critical thinking—Help youth understand that not all trends need to be followed and that they can choose language that reflects their true selves.

Slang evolves quickly, but our responsibility as adults stays the same: to guide, listen, and engage with empathy. Language is powerful—but so is understanding. When we take the time to decode their words, we show young people that their world matters to us. Understanding then becomes a bridge to respect and connection.