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When I first started teaching, I let my students pick their own team names for an activity we were doing in class. One team chose “Netflix and Chill” as a team name. I loved it. I got excited when they announced their team name and responded, “I love to Netflix and chill! My husband and I Netflix and chill every night!” The class erupted. They laughed immediately and collectively. The kind of laughter that I love. This time, however, I knew that I had obviously said something inappropriate. So, I did what you do to diffuse an awkward moment and started river dancing. Then, with the help of Urban Dictionary, I learned that “Netflix and chill” did not mean what I thought it meant. I decided I would refrain from incorporating the language of youth into my lessons until I was certain I knew more about teen slang.
I’ve learned a lot over the years, and now I’d like to pass along the teen slang I’ve deciphered so that you too can decode conversations around you—or maybe even throw them into your classroom instruction and join me in the cringiest-teacher-of-all club.
(Some of these terms are older than others and some may be regional. Please feel free to share any other teen slang words used in your classroom in the comments.)
Bet
Definition: OK! For sure. All right. (Usually said in response to a question or statement.)
Example
Teacher: OK, you guys have 10 minutes to finish this assignment.
Student: Bet.
Rizz
Definition: Your ability to flirt, to charm guys or girls effortlessly
Example
Student 1: Who are you taking to homecoming this weekend?
Student 2: You know I’ve got a lot of options because I’ve got mad rizz.
Bussin
Definition: Very good (usually refers to food)
Example
Student: This McFrappe is bussin.
Glow Up
Definition: A physical or emotional makeover, a positive transformation
Example
Student: Did you see who moved back in? She really had a glow up since 9th grade.
Cap / Kizzy Cap
Definition: You’re lying. That’s not true.
Example
Teacher: We have a quiz today.
Student: That’s cap.
Teacher: No cap, we have a quiz today.
Student: That’s kizzy cap.
Teacher: No, it is not kizzy cap. We have a quiz today.
Kizzy
Definition: A shortened version of “kizzy cap,” meaning I am not lying.
Drip
Definition: Clothing, shoes, accessories
Example
Student: Love the drip today.
Teacher: Thank you. I got it on sale at Target.
Slay
Definition: You are doing an excellent job.
Example
Teacher: What do you need in your body paragraphs to support your reasons?
Student: Evidence?
Teacher: Slay.
Lowkey
Definition: An opinion that you’re trying to be subtle about
Example
Student: Lowkey, I actually like the school buffalo chicken dip.
Student: The buffalo chicken dip smacks.
Smacks
Definition: An indication that something is very good
Example
Student: The buffalo chicken dip smacks.
Extra
Definition: Going over the top
Example
Student: *sees Valentine’s Day headband on my head* Mrs. Naumoff, why you gotta be so extra today?
Tea
Definition: Fresh gossip
Example
Student 1: Can I spill the tea for you?
Student 2: Not unless it’s piping hot tea.
Student 1: This is the freshest tea.
Student 2: Spill.
Gucci
Definition: All good
Example
Student 1: Are we gucci, brah?
Student 2: We gucci.
Take several seats
Definition: You’re out of line and need to sit down.
Example
Student 1: I obviously will get the highest grade on this test.
*Student 1 gets test back and receives a 40%.
Student 2: Take several seats.
Yeet
Definition: Throw something
Example
Student: *frustrated with the Chromebook* Can I just yeet my computer out the window?
Teacher: No, I am afraid you cannot throw the computer out of the window. Try turning it off and back on again. That is my go-to solution for all computer problems.
Flex
Definition: Bragging about something
Example
Student 1: I never pop my zits. I just leave them there for the world to see.
Student 2: Weird flex, but OK.
What a Chad
Definition: Typical cocky male
Example
Student 1: I just got to 400 on COD last night.
Student 2: What a Chad.
How many of these teen slang words did you know? Test your knowledge with our TEACHER QUIZ: How Well Do You Know Student Slang?
Need help deciphering teen slang not included on this list? Join our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook and ask!
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