Just when I thought I had accepted my fate as an outsider in the ever-changing world of teen slang, my kids upped the ante. They have now introduced a new level of communication that relies not just on words but on tone, facial expressions, and oddly specific hand gestures. It is like a secret society, and I am not even close to cracking the code.
For example, I recently asked my son if he had done his homework, and instead of a simple yes or no, he just hit me with a slow nod and said, “Bet.” Bet what? I did not place a wager. Apparently, “bet” just means “okay” or “got it.” Good to know.
Then there is the mysterious world of “ratio.” My daughter informed me that if someone responds to your post with more likes than your original comment, you have been “ratioed.” I still do not fully understand why this is a thing, but my kids assure me it is a serious social media power move. I guess back in my day, we just called it “being ignored.”
And let’s talk about “gyatt.” I had to do a deep dive after hearing this one thrown around, and I still am not entirely sure I should know what it means. Some things are better left undiscovered.
At this point, I have accepted that I will never truly master teen slang. I will always be one step behind, trying to decode conversations like some sort of suburban detective. But I have also realized that my kids secretly love watching me try. Every time I attempt to use their lingo, they roll their eyes, groan, and mutter, “Mom, stop.” That alone makes it all worth it.
So I will keep throwing in a “no cap” here and there, dramatically saying “sheesh” at random moments, and maybe even dropping a “bet” when they least expect it. Because if I cannot understand them, I can at least embarrass them. And that, my friends, is a true W.