Bridging The Generation Gap

So, you can use numbers for letters like a pro.

And you've finally discovered LOL doesn't stand for “lots of love”.

You're twittering about on the Facebook and you've got poking down!

Congratulations. It's time to discard pretty much all of that information.

The Internet has moved on.

Yep, the "youth" of today have learnt how to spell (for the most part). Facebook is a wasteland filled with tumbleweed (aka parents/grandparents) (no offence). And NOBODY pokes anymore.

Twitter is the new Facebook.

Snapchat is the new Instagram

And Vine? We don't talk about Vine. (It's still so raw)

But listen, I'm here to help. I spoke to one of the world’s top slang experts, 65 year old Tom Dalzell. Tom was the senior editor for The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English and has been called “probably the greatest person in slang right now in America," by writer Paul Dickson. Despite this, he finds it just as challenging to keep up with the youth.

As a slang expert, how does Tom keep up with new slang?

“I don’t! Unless I am compiling for a new edition of my dictionary, I don’t really pay attention. It moves too fast. It is oh-so-much easier to look back and see what was real than to look in the present and guess what will be real. I keep a clippings file, but don’t really strive to always be up to date. Sometimes I will hear a word, like “lit,” and get interested in it and work on it, but generally I wait a few years and look back.”

Does he think slang is creating a language barrier between children and their parents?

“Slang has ALWAYS created a language barrier. That is one of its purposes, to establish group of “tribe” or generational identity. Nothing new here.“

Here’s an up to date guide on how to decode those pesky millennials (and possibly even freak them out with your urban knowledge):

1. Social Media

Facebook - Facebook is increasingly being used by older people who are trying to stay in contact with friends and family. The younger generation tend to use platforms with similar outcomes but which offer more engaging ways to communicate, such as Twitter and Snapchat.

Twitter - Twitter is used to engage with the wider community. Each tweet is limited to 140 characters so it's not often used for lengthy posts about what happened at the supermarket. Having said that, the main purpose of tweets is to send out occasional thoughts, so writing "The queue for the till in Tesco was huge!" would be totally acceptable. Don't be alarmed if someone "follows" you on Twitter. This simply means they like your tweets about Tesco and want to see more of them on their home feed. You can also follow accounts whose tweets you enjoy, and these will show up on your home feed if and when they tweet.

Instagram - Instagram is basically used to share pictures and videos. Again, the "follow" method is used on this app. If you like a picture, double tap the screen and it will give it a like. Easy peasy.

Snapchat - Snapchat is more of the same. It's one USP is the fact the images disappear after a few seconds. You send a picture or short video (up to 10 seconds for either), and once opened and viewed within the time limit, it disappears, never to be seen again. (Unless you screenshot it. But this is widely frowned upon and in which case the sender will get a notification of this betrayal)

Tumblr - Tumblr is a community of blogs. Often described as the dark side of the internet, it's best you avoid this particular site.

Youtube - Youtube is the biggest platform for video sharing. Home of the incredibly famous Charlie Bit My Finger, the site features vlogs (video logs), music, tutorials, performers, and all the funny cat videos you can watch!

2. Hashtags. (#)

These are used to group topics together. I.e. A tweet/post about the TV show Coronation Street would have the hashtag #CORONATIONSTREET or #Corrie. Then people who click that tag will find all the tweets/posts that contain that tag. Kind of like a community of Corrie tweeters. Isn’t that cute?

3. Hashtags. Part 2

Now this is where it gets a little trickier. Hashtags are also used in a less formal way, often to make side comments or additions to a tweet without adding a proper sentence. E.g. "People who eat kale are weird #justsaying"

"I don't know why my mum is telling me about her broken phone #notmyproblem"

"I just finished all my work while I was hungover #likeaboss"

Remember: Never, ever say the word "hashtag" out loud in a sentence.

4. Slang words

Shade - To “throw shade” is to be rude about someone.

Salty - Being “salty” is being in a bad mood for a petty reason. Or just being petty.

Stan - To “stan” someone is to be a hardcore fan of them.

On fleek - On fleek is often used to compliment someone. It implies their hair/make up/outfit/etc. is fabulous.

Slay - To slay is to do well, succeed.

Lit - When something is described as being “lit” it means the person is having a really good time and the event is lively and fun.

Yas - Literally is a more emphasised way of saying “YES”

Turnt - There are many different definitions of this word but the most common reason it is used is to show excitement for something or to say something is really good.

Extra - When you are being "extra" you are making a big deal out of nothing or going over the top, adding extra effort where it is not needed: "Why is she using an umbrella in the sun? That is SO extra"

But what are some of the problems with how fast slang is progressing these days?

“The real “problem” is for lexicographers. It changes so quickly, it is hard (1) to keep track and (2) to know what should be recorded if it only lasts a few weeks. There might be an impact on language, I don’t know. Is language becoming a disposable commodity? If so, is that a problem? I am answering your question with questions, I know.”

Tom’s favourite slang words of today:

“I like “lit” as you might have guessed. I like “turnt.” I like “AF.” I like “low key.” ”

5. Emojis

Previously known as “emoticons” or “smileys”, these are the little pictures you can add to your messages to make them seem less hostile or give the impression you find someone hilarious, even if you don’t. Gone are the days when you need to fake laugh out of politeness. Just throw in a couple of laughing tears face emojis (😂) and you’re good to go.

Here are some other popular emojis:

😭 - Crying face emoji, for when you're overcome with emotion. (Or pretending to be)

🙄 - Eye roll emoji. Handy, right?

🙃 - This is used to suggest accepting poor fate, being unhappy about a situation, and/or general helplessness.

🙌🏽 - These hands in the air show praise and agreement. They are often seen along with the words “PREACH” or “YAS”

💩 - Don’t think this needs an explanation

😍 - Used to show love and adoration

😱 - Distress, shock, horror.

👌🏽 - Agreement, approval, or a sarcastic “well done/thanks/great”

💯 - A teacher’s 100 grading. If you receive this emoji, you’re probably doing something right

💅🏽 - This is more than meets the eye. Used to show sass and girl power.

💁🏽 - This is also used to show sass and girl power and self appreciation.

🔥 - Most commonly used to tell someone they're attractive

👀 - This emoji is really open to interpretation. Sometimes used to suggest a deceitful act. Could also be used to imply you're watching someone closely.

🙈🙉🙊 - See/Hear/Speak No Evil Monkeys. Used as a kind of cute disbelief. The See No Evil monkey can also be used to show embarrassment or shyness.

🎉 - Used in celebration. Also used to show sarcasm when disinterested

6. Gifs and memes

Gifs are moving pictures. Observe:

A meme is a picture, catchphrase or social idea that is appropriated and rapidly spread across the internet through social media. They are often forgotten just as quickly as they become popular. Here are some recent examples:

Cash me outside

Salt bae

Evil Kermit

Joebama

Arthur fist

Cash Me Ousside - This girl appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil and her abrasive catchphrase was immediately turned into a meme which is used as another way of saying "fight me"

Salt Bae - This guy was in a food video. The elegant way he sprinkled salt at the end of the video was turned into a way of showing embellishment or adding something in excess.

Evil Kermit - Kermit the frog is a much loved character of the Muppets. This is what happens when Evil Kermit sometimes gets in his head. This meme is used to highlight our subconscious thoughts

Joebama - Joe Biden and Barack Obama's amazing friendship (or bromance) is captured in many pictures. The pictures have since been captioned showing Joe to be an adorable prankster and Barack to be his slightly more mature best friend. The pair often scheme pranks on Donald Trump.

Arthur's Fist - Taken from the children's show Hey Arthur, this zoomed in picture of Arthur's fist is simply captioned to show annoyance in various scenarios.

7. Snapchat Filters

Snapchat recently overtook Instagram as the most popular social media app and it’s in no small part due to the interactive filters. The app detects the dimensions of your face on the front camera of your phone and will fit the filter accordingly. Some of the most popular filters include the 'dog ears, nose and mouth-movement activated tongue', the 'flower crown', and the 'face swap' filter which swaps your face with that of someone else.

8. Acroymns

Af - As F*ck - used as unit of measurement: “I’m tired af”

Hmu - Hit Me Up - a way of telling someone to contact you: “Hmu when you finish work”

Dbi - Don’t Beg It - if someone is acting in an overly enthusiastic manner towards someone else the latter would say: “dbi mate”

Ffs - For F*ck's Sake - "Can my neighbour turn his stupid music off ffs"

Ikr - I Know Right

Wyd - What You Doing?

Bae - Before Anyone Else - Term of endearment: “Harry Styles is bae”

and of course, the classic LOL - Laugh Out Loud - When typing "haha" is just too much effort.

Does Tom think in a few years we’ll have created a whole other “language” with all these new meanings and phrases?

“No. Slang is generally not used for real world transactions. Cultures have languages – look at hip hop. It has been a language for at least 30 years. But it remains confined. A few writers, mostly Connie Eble, have looked at slang grammar – really fascinating. I think that slang will remain what it has been – a counter language.”

Finally, Tom’s tip for the older generation to keep up with slang:

“Let kids have their language. If you are interested in a word, ask about it. That’s it.”

For more specific definitions, check out the Urban Dictionary online. But proceed with caution. The modern internet has no filters.