Language is always changing, and Gen Z slang words have dominated social media, texting, and even everyday conversations. From TikTok to Twitter, these words spread like wildfire. But let’s be honest—some of them are just overused, outdated, or plain annoying!
If you’ve heard “slay” or “bussin’” one too many times, you’re not alone. It’s time to retire some of these phrases and make way for fresh, exciting slang. In this article, we’ll explore the most overrated Gen Z slang words and why we desperately need new ones!
1. “Slay” – It’s Time to Give It a Break!
Meaning: To do something really well or look amazing.✅ Example: “You totally slayed that outfit!”
“Slay” was once a fun and empowering word, but let’s be real—it’s been used to death. Every time someone wears a cute outfit, dances well, or even does basic tasks, they “slay.” At this point, even your grandma is saying it. 😅
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Instead of saying “slay” for everything, let’s try words like “fire” (for something amazing) or “legend” (for someone doing something great).
2. “Bussin’” – Not Everything Is That Good!
Meaning: Really tasty or enjoyable (mostly about food).✅ Example: “This pizza is bussin’!”
When “bussin’” first started trending, it was fun to use. But now, it’s slapped onto anything even remotely decent. At this point, even average fries are “bussin’.” 🙄
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Let’s mix things up! How about saying “mouth-watering” for amazing food or “top-tier” for something truly next-level?
3. “No Cap” – But Why Are We Still Using It?
Meaning: No lie, telling the truth.✅ Example: “That movie was the best one this year, no cap!”
This phrase had its moment, but now it feels forced and outdated. It was originally used in rap culture, but it quickly became something everyone (even brands) started using. Now, it just feels out of place.
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Try saying “for real” or “straight up” instead. They sound more natural and are easier to use in conversations.
4. “It’s Giving” – But What Exactly Is It Giving?
Meaning: Describes the vibe or energy of something.✅ Example: “That dress is giving Cinderella vibes!”
“It’s giving” was cool when it first popped up, but now it’s just overused and vague. Instead of actually describing things, people just say “it’s giving” and expect everyone to understand. But what is it giving, exactly? 🤔
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Let’s go back to saying what we actually mean! Instead of “it’s giving,” try “reminds me of” or “looks like” for better clarity.
5. “Periodt” – Time to Move On!
Meaning: Used to emphasize a strong opinion or statement.✅ Example: “This is the best ice cream ever, periodt.”
At first, “periodt” was fun, dramatic, and extra, but now it feels overdone. It has lost its impact because everyone uses it for everything. Plus, do we really need to add a “T” to “period”? 😆
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Just saying “facts” or “exactly” gets the point across without sounding outdated.
6. “Rizz” – Can We Retire This Already?
Meaning: Short for “charisma,” usually related to flirting.✅ Example: “He’s got mad rizz with the ladies.”
“Rizz” became a TikTok favorite, but now it’s just cringe. It sounds like someone tried way too hard to make “charisma” sound cool. Plus, people are forcing it into conversations where it doesn’t even fit.
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Instead of saying “rizz,” let’s just go back to “charm” or “game”—both sound much more natural.
7. “Vibe Check” – Failed!
Meaning: Checking the mood of a situation or person.✅ Example: “Vibe check—how’s everyone feeling?”
This phrase was fun for a while, but now it feels awkward and unnecessary. If you really want to check on someone, just ask “How are you?” instead of forcing a “vibe check.”
👉 Alternative Suggestion: Instead of saying “vibe check,” try “mood check” or simply ask, “You good?”
Why Do These Slang Words Get Overused?
Gen Z slang words become popular because of TikTok, memes, influencers, and internet culture. But once brands, parents, and even teachers start using them, they lose their original cool factor.
Here’s why slang words get overrated so fast:🚀 Social media spreads them too quickly.🎤 Celebrities & influencers overuse them.📝 Brands try to sound “cool” by using them in ads.😅 People force them into conversations where they don’t fit.
What’s Next? We Need New Words!
If we’re going to retire old slang, we need some fresh, creative words to replace them! Here are some fun ideas:
✅ Instead of “slay”, try “fire” or “legend”✅ Instead of “bussin’”, use “mouth-watering” or “top-tier”✅ Instead of “no cap”, say “for real” or “straight up”✅ Instead of “it’s giving”, say “reminds me of” or “looks like”✅ Instead of “periodt”, use “facts” or “exactly”✅ Instead of “rizz”, say “charm” or “game”
New slang will always come and go, but let’s make sure we keep things fresh, fun, and natural!
Final Thoughts
Some Gen Z slang words have had their moment, but it’s time to move on. If we want to keep our language exciting, we need new, creative words that don’t feel forced, cringey, or outdated.
What Gen Z slang words do you think should be retired? Drop them in the comments! 😉
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