Lingo where Z ends and alpha starts, perplexing ancient wise

Gen Z are those born mid to late 1990s and mid to early 2010s, who are very familiar with the internet. Gen Alpha are those who have succeeded Gen Z, born between 2010 and 2024; the generation born entirely in the 21st Century.

These generations are mostly on the internet tapping away on their keyboards, including in chat rooms and comment sections.
Generation Z are often referred to as the class of 2025. Their influence on language is iconic and rather chaotic. Most are chronically online, deeply involved in the internet culture, developing a whole new crop of slang words.

Delulu means delusional. Skibidi is excitement or randomness. Sus indicates suspicious. And, ghost means suddenly stopping communicating with someone.

Gen Alpha is quickly catching up with Gen Z, but leans towards absurdism. Their slang is still developing but already making waves. They prefer phrases that are distinctively theirs. But they end up getting mixed with their predecessors’ Gen Z lingo.
One interesting thing is that internet slang is trickling down into the real world. At the same time, real world lingo is climbing the internet. This cultural exchange between generations is sometimes funny, with confusing outcomes.

Contextual changes are particularly disorienting. Tea is no longer the beverage but a juicy gossip. Snack is not food but a visually appealing person. When someone mentions fire, it isn’t that something burning but anything amazing or cool.
Gen Z lingo is cool in that lit is an exciting occurrence and shook is being shocked or surprised.

Luxurious experiences are described as boujee and extra. Gucci means everything is good. Salty means you are bitter about little things. Words sus and flex mean showing off. Dank meaning something excellent. These words are there everywhere in texts, chats and messages.

Digital age has birthed abbreviations like NGL (not gonna lie), DM (direct message) and IYKYK (if you know, you know). Fandom culture has popularised terms like stan for an overzealous fan, simp for someone who excessively admires someone, and main character energy describes someone who acts like a star of the show. Winning and losing are shorthand W and L.
But the most important factor in Gen Z language is memes. They have opened up a new portal for people to talk through. And, the memes used have evolved with time.

Rizz? It means someone’s flirting with another person. NPC energy means someone is acting awkward or clueless as a nonplayable character (NPC) in a video game, like a background character who has no impact. Go touch grass is a simpler way of telling someone to log off and go outside. All of these words and phrases have originated from memes.

While older generations may struggle to keep up, this shift reflects the internet’s profound influence on how we express ourselves today.