Gen Z Humor

Generational humor has always been a thing, constantly evolving and changing as years pass. The somewhat recent popularity of social media (especially platforms such as Instagram and TikTok), heavily determine what new humor trend will rock the teenagers of now—at least for a few weeks. Phrases such as “skibidi”, or “gyatt” are placed into a new, somewhat trendy, category of Generation Z humor. 

To put things in perspective, let me break it down—figuratively of course—with some new phrases and slang that has recently had us in a chokehold.

Gyatt - An oldie, but a goodie. It is used to refer to someone who has a large behind. Usually very effective in the “rizz” department.

Hawk tuah - Not so much a term used to describe someone, more of an inappropriate saying turned viral sound when a young woman was interviewed on the street. To a question posed, she responded with the phrase, “Hawk Tuah and spit on that thang”. As silly as it is, it’s what has built and expanded the brain rot spectrum.

Skibidi Toilet - As much as Gen Z wants to claim that this term belongs solely to Gen Alpha, they are wrong. Gen Z loves this saying just as much as the iPad kids of tomorrow. I could not tell you where it came from or why it became so popular, but here we are. 

Mog, mew, looksmax - These are just some of the terms used to describe the “looksmaxxing” community of social media. Mogging is a term that is used to describe someone who is better than someone else. For example, “Caia height mogs”, meaning that Caia is taller than many people in the general vicinity. Think of a finance bro talking into a podcast mic in his moms basement that he’s decorated to look like a penthouse apartment, and it should give you a better idea of the people behind this particular community.

To looksmax is to mew, to mew is to mog, and to mog is to looksmax. It is just one big cycle of social media discovering new niche insecurities that no one other than chronically online teenage boys care about. It’s actually kind of sad. Moving on!

Sigma - This phrase is also somewhat pinned on Gen Alpha, however, what Gen Z fails to realize is that we are more like Gen Alpha than we’d like to admit. The term “sigma” is used to describe someone of most importance, such as an “alpha” or a leader of the pack. So, if a middle schooler approaches you and calls you sigma, take it as a compliment!

Let’s take a look at new abbreviations, and no, I’m not talking about “LOL” or “OMG”, those are mostly reserved for millennials. 

TS - This sh*t

PMO - Piss(es) me off

TS PMO - This sh*t pisses me off. Usually used together and can be found in the comments of a mukbang Tiktok if the creator is chewing too loud.

ICL - I can’t lie

SYBAU - Shut your b*tch*ss up

These are simply a few of the new abbreviations conjured in the deepest corners of social media. To put it plainly, generational humor is something that has and will continue to evolve year after year. Hell, every time my grandfather cracks a joke it feels like he’s speaking in tongues—but I know for a fact that if I looked at him and said, “Icl ts pmo sybau” he would have a stroke. 

So there you have it, folks. Parents, don’t feel disappointed in your teenager if the only words in their vocabulary consist of the many listed above. Teachers, you’re the strongest of all of us. And to the teenagers of today, well… you’re weird. What other generation comes up with these frankly ridiculous sayings?