Have you ever had a conversation with someone from Gen Z and found yourself nodding along while thinking, “I have no idea what they just said”?
I’ll be honest: I’ve been there more than once.
It’s almost as though every time I finally learn a piece of their slang—like “lit” or “salty”—they’ve already moved on to something else that sounds like it’s straight out of a futuristic teen drama.
Sure, every generation has its own lingo, but there’s something about Gen Z’s linguistic creativity that can really leave the rest of us scratching our heads.
A friend of mine once told me I should “hit them up if the vibes were bussin,” and I nearly nodded my head off in agreement—despite being completely clueless.
Later, I spent a solid hour searching online for translations, and I couldn’t help feeling that maybe Gen Z sits around dreaming up new phrases just to see how long it takes the rest of us to catch on.
If you’re feeling a bit bamboozled by Gen Z’s slang, trust me, you’re not alone.
Today, I’m exploring seven of the most perplexing Gen Z phrases that make it seem like they’re speaking in code to confuse the rest of us.
If you’ve heard any of these in conversation, you’re already halfway there.
Let’s dive in.
1. “No Cap”
The first time I heard this, I assumed it was an urgent search for a missing hat.
Turns out, “no cap” is Gen Z’s way of saying “no lie” or “I’m being 100% honest.”
You might hear something like, “That restaurant was amazing, no cap,” which translates to “I’m not lying, that place was seriously good.”
For a while, I thought “no cap” had something to do with limiting something—like “no capacity”—but that was definitely a swing and a miss.
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By the time I finally caught on, I realized it’s basically the new “for real.”
To me, it’s a bit reminiscent of middle-school code words that only made sense to those in the know.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve nodded politely, waited until the conversation ended, and then Googled “no cap meaning” to stay relevant in my circle.
2. “Bussin”
I was out grabbing brunch with a couple of friends, and when the server set down a plate of mouthwatering pancakes, my younger companion exclaimed, “This is bussin!”
I stared at them, then glanced at the pancakes, trying to decode the message.
Is “bussin” good? Bad? Something about a bus?
Apparently, “bussin” means it’s absolutely delicious—so you can think of it as the new “tasty,” “amazing,” or “mind-blowingly good.”
Though if I’m being honest, the word makes me picture a city bus that’s jam-packed.
But hey, who am I to judge?
If something’s “bussin,” it’s definitely worth a try.
And if you’re not sure, you can wait until someone else braves the phrase before you risk using it in public.
3. “Rent Free”
Last week, I overheard my cousin complaining that some online troll was living “rent free” in her head.
Now, in my day (yes, I’m aware how old that phrase makes me sound), someone living rent-free in your space might mean they’re literally crashing on your couch for weeks without paying a dime.
But Gen Z has turned “rent free” into a metaphor for someone or something occupying mental space.
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When Gen Z says something is living “rent free” in their head, they mean they can’t stop thinking about it—whether they want to or not. It could be a catchy TikTok sound, a cringeworthy moment from a party, or, in my cousin’s case, a random comment from someone on Instagram that managed to burrow into her brain and take up space without paying emotional rent.
It’s like those thoughts that sneak in at 2 a.m. and refuse to leave, uninvited but firmly planted. As far as I can tell, the phrase doesn’t necessarily carry a positive or negative vibe on its own; it all depends on the context.
A hilarious meme might live “rent free” in someone’s head for days, while an awkward interaction can do the same damage. Either way, if something is living rent free in your mind, it’s stuck there—and Gen Z has found a perfect phrase to describe that annoying (or amusing) mental squatter.
Let’s be real: once you start paying attention, you’ll probably notice half your own brain is filled with things that never paid a dime to be there.
4. “Stan”
Yes, “Stan” comes from the Eminem song of the same name, and it basically means you’re an overzealous fan or you strongly support someone or something.
But I’ve heard some Gen Zers tweak the usage to mean a combination of “stalker” and “fan.”
Needless to say, the word can start to feel pretty intense depending on the context.
I once heard a friend say, “I stan that band so hard,” and I thought they were making a grammar mistake.
But no—Stan is both a verb and a noun in Gen Z’s dictionary.
You can “stan” something you love, or you can be a “stan” of a certain artist.
Either way, you’ll probably run into this term if you spend time on social media, especially Twitter, where “stans” of celebrities unite.
I mentioned in a previous post how language evolves with internet culture, but “stan” is one of those words that’s stuck around a bit longer—and it’s not showing any signs of leaving.
5. “Gatekeep”
“Gatekeep” is basically calling out someone for withholding insider knowledge to preserve some kind of special status or exclusivity.
It’s like when you discover a hidden coffee shop with the world’s best cappuccino and decide not to tell anyone because you want to keep the place all to yourself.
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In Gen Z terms, you’re “gatekeeping.”
Now, gatekeeping isn’t exactly new (anyone who’s ever dealt with that snobby record-collecting friend can attest to it), but the term itself has become a staple in the modern lexicon.
It’s a friendly reminder that Gen Z can—and will—call you out if you act like you’re better than everyone else for having specialized knowledge.
So maybe don’t keep that coffee shop a total secret.
Share the love.
6. “Cheugy”
Cheugy might be my favorite enigma of a Gen Z term.
It’s used to describe something that’s outdated or trying too hard to be trendy, but it’s not exactly the same as “basic.”
It’s more like that awkward space when you’re still rocking last season’s designs or you’re passionately clinging to a style that’s no longer in vogue.
Those live, laugh, love signs in your living room?
They might be a tad cheugy.
Sorry to break it to you.
I remember someone describing a friend’s outfit as “so cheugy,” and I assumed it was some kind of fancy brand name I’d never heard of.
Looking back, I kind of wish that had been the case.
At least I would’ve had a chance to Google the brand instead of having to interpret a brand-new slang term.
But hey, the next time you want to gently tease a friend for being a bit behind the curve, you can drop “cheugy” in there, and they might just whip out their phone to decipher it, too.
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7. “Slaps”
Finally, one that’s a bit less cryptic.
When something “slaps,” it’s surprisingly good.
For instance, if you hear a catchy song that makes you want to dance like no one’s watching, you might say, “That track slaps.”
It’s a high-energy compliment, basically.
But if you overhear someone say, “This burger slaps,” they’re paying it the highest praise in Gen Z speak, not describing an act of aggression toward a cheeseburger.
I remember discovering “slaps” when I was flipping through a playlist my younger cousin made.
Half of the descriptions read “slaps,” “absolute banger,” or “fire.”
Eventually, I got curious enough to ask, and now I can’t help but laugh every time I say it.
In a way, it feels a little forced coming from me, like I’m attempting to wear the uniform of a group I’m not fully part of.
Still, at least I know what it means, which helps me stay relevant—or so I like to think.
Putting it all together
At the end of the day, language is an ever-changing tapestry, and Gen Z is just weaving in their own threads.
Yes, it can feel like they’re intentionally concocting phrases to leave the rest of us scratching our heads—but there’s also something delightful about how quickly our vocabulary can expand.
If you ask me, staying curious and open-minded about new expressions is a small but meaningful way to stay connected with younger generations.
And who knows?
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Maybe a few years from now, you’ll have a favorite Gen Alpha phrase you can’t stop saying.
Until then, feel free to drop “no cap” into conversation once in a while—just to see who’s in on the joke.
Before you know it, you might even discover a few slang gems of your own that “slap.”
No cap.
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