Slang evolves fast, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and by the time a word makes it into a brand caption, there’s a good chance it’s already…cringe.
Here’s the thing, friends, you don’t need to use every slang term to be effective on social. (Remember, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.)
But you do need to understand them, so you know what your audience is saying or when a comment section is hyping you up (or roasting you).
So, to kick off 2026, here’s a practical, judgment-free guide to slang social media managers should know this year.
(Disclaimer: I’m a crusty millennial and fully aware that I’m not the subject matter expert on the slang of younger generations. Reference this article at your own risk.)
The slang list: Words to know in 2026
Rizz
Meaning: Short for charisma.
Example: “They’ve got rizz.”
Brand take: Still relevant, but nearing overuse. Best used sparingly or in a self-aware way.
Ate
Meaning: Did something extremely well.
Example: “That video ate.”
Brand take: Great for celebrating students, performers, athletes or creative work. Can also use ironically.
No Cap
Meaning: No lie. For real.
Example: “Best day on campus, no cap.”
Brand take: Casual and conversational. Easy for brands to sound cringe when using.
Bet
Meaning: Agreement or confirmation.
Example: “Free coffee on campus?” “Bet.”
Brand take: Works well in short captions or replies. Less so for long-form copy.
Delulu
Meaning: Short for delusional, usually used playfully or as self reference.
Example: “Am I delulu for thinking I’ll finish this blog post early?”
Brand take: Fine for light humor about expectations. Avoid using it to describe others.
Brain Rot
Meaning: The feeling of consuming too much social media.
Example: “Three hours on TikTok = brain rot.”
Brand take: Great for self-aware humor about scrolling, trends or internet culture.
Sus
Meaning: Suspicious or questionable.
Example: “That is kinda sus.”
Brand take: Pretty mainstream now. Safe when used lightly and playfully.
Ohio
Meaning: Something strange, weird or cringe.
Example: “That video is so Ohio.”
Brand take: No idea how to even recommend using this as a brand.
Skibidi
Meaning: Absurdist slang with no fixed meaning, rooted in Gen Alpha meme culture.
Example: “That was skibidi.”
Brand take: You’re on your own with this one. Knowing what it means (though, it means nothing…?) is more important than using it. (If you ever see “Skibidi Ohio Rizz,” you’re on your own.)
Main Character
Meaning: Acting like the star of your own story. Fairly mainstream at this point.
Example: “He has main character energy.”
Brand take: Still works for campus moments, traditions or student-centered storytelling.
NPC
Meaning: Stands for “Non-Player Character.” Someone who blends into the background or follows a script.
Example: “I felt like an NPC in that meeting.”
Brand take: Best used humorously or upon self reference. Avoid using it about real people.
Soft Launch / Hard Launch
Meaning: Subtly introducing something versus making a big announcement.
Example: “Soft launching my new hobby.”
Brand take: You’ll know when to use it…?
Unc (Uncle)
Meaning: An older, out-of-touch person.
Example: “She’s an unc.”
Brand take: I’m not sure I would ever use this.
Mewing
Meaning: Touching your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth to improve the appearance of your jawline.
Example: “They’re mewing right now.”
Brand take: Probably better to know what this means than to use it.
Sigma
Meaning: Cool, independent person. Though, is sometimes used ironically to describe someone negatively.
Example: “He’s so sigma.”
Brand take: Probably better to know what this means than to use it.
6-7
Meaning: So-so. Often used with a hand gesture. This one is all Gen Alpha (think back to the things you did when you were 12 years old and give them a break)
Example: “How’s the food?” “6-7”
Brand take: Unless you’re using it to be funny or as a very well-timed joke, I think it’s okay to leave this one to the tweens.
When brands should (and shouldn’t) use slang
A quick gut check before using slang in your content:
Use it when:
- It fits your brand voice
- Your audience already uses it
- It adds clarity, humor or relatability
Skip it when:
- You’re not sure what it means
- It requires heavy explanation
- It risks sounding forced or outdated
- It crosses into inappropriate or exclusionary territory
Remember, understanding slang builds credibility. Misusing it does the opposite.
Slang I’m waving goodbye to in 2026
Some slang had a great run. Some overstayed its welcome. And some was never meant for brand accounts in the first place. As we head into a new year, here are a few terms I’m going to avoid.
Cheugy
Why I’m retiring it: I hereby declare cheugy…well, cheugy. The term peaked years ago and now mostly signals that you’re trying to label something as outdated. (I have no authority on declaring anything. If you like to use “cheugy,” you should absolutely continue using it.)
Still useful for: Context only. Not captions.
It’s Giving
Why I’m retiring it: Once playful and versatile, I think it’s now overused.
Exception: Self-aware humor or intentional parody.
Slay
Why I’m retiring it: Still beloved in many spaces. I haven’t been able to say it with a straight face since 2016.
Still works when: Celebrating standout achievements or moments, sparingly.
Bussin
Why I’m retiring it: This one crossed into “brands forcing slang” a while ago. It’s often used incorrectly and can feel out of place in institutional content.
Recommendation: Let this live in comments, not captions.
Tell Me You’re ___ Without Telling Me You’re ___
Why I’m retiring it: A classic trend format that has run its course, IMO. Audiences have seen it. A lot. Like…a lot.
Upgrade idea: Keep the concept, ditch the phrasing.
Vibe Check
Why I’m retiring it: Still understood, but no longer fresh. It reads more millennial than Gen Z at this point.
Alternative: Be specific about the feeling instead of naming the vibe.
Slang I’m watching in 2026
These aren’t quite everywhere yet, but they’re popping up more often in comments, captions and videos.
Zang
Why I’m watching it: Fun way to say dang. I just think it’s fun.
Example: “You paid how much for those jeans? Zang!”
Lowkey/Highkey (Again)
Why it’s back: These never fully left, but they’re showing up more intentionally again, especially in dry humor and understated captions.
Example: “Lowkey the best study spot on campus.”
Core (___core)
Why I’m watching it: The “core” trend continues to evolve. While some versions are fading, hyper-specific “cores” are still gaining traction.
Example: “Campus-core,” “library-core,” “fall-semester-core.”
POV (Evolving)
Why it’s still relevant: POV content has matured beyond literal point-of-view videos. It’s now shorthand for a shared experience.
Example: “POV: You finally find parking on campus.”
Core Memory
Why I’m watching it: Often used to mark meaningful, emotional moments. It’s trending alongside nostalgic and reflective content, which is prime for higher ed.
Example: “This just became a core memory.”
Canon/Not Canon
Why it’s rising: Borrowed from fandom culture, “canon” is being used to joke about what counts as officially part of someone’s story. (I think?)
Example: “Campus squirrels being fearless? Canon.”
Side Quest
Why it’s gaining traction: Used to describe small, unexpected detours in daily life.
Example: “Left my house for coffee, ended up at my friend’s house. Side quest.”
A final note on slang
(A masterclass in Gen Z slang, courtesy of the very-with-it Brooke Garcia ⬆️)
Slang is a living thing. It reflects culture, humor and how we connect online. As social media managers, the goal isn’t to sound like Gen Z or Gen Alpha. It’s to listen well enough to meet them where they are. (Reminder: These two generations are especially good at spotting when language feels forced.)
So in 2026, scroll a little, screenshot a lot, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to let some trends pass you by.
Here’s to a new year, new slang and hopefully a little less pressure to use it.