When I first began my teaching journey, I made the decision to allow my students to choose their own team names for an in-class activity. One of the teams opted for “Netflix and Chill.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at their choice. I enthusiastically exclaimed, “I love to Netflix and chill! My husband and I Netflix and chill every night!” The class erupted in laughter, a collective giggle that filled the room. In that moment, however, it became clear that my innocent interpretation of the phrase was misguided. A quick check on Urban Dictionary confirmed that “Netflix and chill” had a far different connotation than I had assumed. Thus, I decided it was best to hold off on incorporating any teen slang into my lessons until I was more informed about its meanings.
These days, I’ve taken to playfully teasing my students. I enjoy bringing back outdated slang just to see their eye rolls. One of my favorites is using the term “rizz” to mean encouragement rather than its more common association with flirting. Picture a group activity where I cheerfully say, “Come on, guys! Rizz each other up!” Some students will laugh; others may scream in disbelief. Either way, I relish the reactions.
Recently, we published a post on Facebook asking teachers to share the latest slang they’re encountering in their classrooms. This compilation features words that have emerged in 2026 and earlier, blending both fresh phrases and classic terms that have remained in the cultural zeitgeist. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, I’m excited to share these insights so you can decode the teen slang conversations swirling around you—or perhaps even sprinkle some of it into your own teaching, joining me in the Cringiest Teacher of All club.
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Teen Slang Classroom Posters
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General Teen Slang
1. 6-7
This phrase refers to absolutely nothing. It originated from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, which was later edited to include video edits featuring NBA player LaMelo Ball, who measures 6 feet, 7 inches tall. A humorous example from teacher Kathy Behrend illustrates its classroom usage: “Mine have no idea, so I told them it means I want to stay in at recess with my head down. I don’t hear it anymore, lol.”
Example
Teacher: “We have around 6-7 minutes left before quizzes must be turned in,”
Students: Lift their hands up and down as if balancing plates while saying “Six Sevuuuuhhhhn.”
Teacher’s internal monologue: Why didn’t I just wait until there were 5 minutes left before I made the announcement?
2. The Big 26
This phrase simply refers to the year 2026. Teacher Zander Epps noted that his students utilize it when discussing their New Year’s resolutions.
Example
Student: “Mister, we don’t say 6-7 in the Big 26.”
Teacher: “That is music to my ears.”
3. Niche
This term describes something that appeals to a small, dedicated group of enthusiasts, rather than the general public. Teacher Tammi Riggers noted a rise in students using “niche” and “nonchalant” correctly, likely influenced by TikTok trends.
Example
Student: “I like your Pizza Planet shirt. It’s so niche.”
4. Nonchalant
Meaning feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed, this term has its roots in Oxford Languages.
Example
Student 1: “You just walk in here all nonchalant with an entire pizza box with no explanation.”
Student 2: “I had an appointment.”
5. That’s tuff
This phrase simply means “that’s cool.”
Teacher Zander Epps provided some illustrative examples:
Example:
Student: “Ooh! Those new shoes? That’s tuff.”
Student: “You got an A on your test? That’s tuff.”
6. Clock it
This term means to register or pay attention to something.
Example
Student 1: “Hannah and Turner were talking by their lockers today.”
Student 2: “Yeah, I clocked it.”
7. Clock that tea
This phrase means to call out or draw attention to important information or gossip.
Example
Student 1: “Chase and Kelsea Ballerini look like they are back together in their Instagram post.”
Student 2: “Yeah, I clock that tea.”
8. Unc
This slang is short for “uncool.”
Example
Student 1: “Teacher, your pants are unc.”
Teacher: “I’d rather be in sweatpants too.”
9. Crash-out
This term signifies an emotional breakdown.
Example
One of our readers, Nancy Beck Kanter, shared an excellent example:
“Math makes me crash-out every day.”
10. I really wish I had a free bag of chiiiips.
This exaggerated, whiny phrase is used to dramatically ask for something—usually school supplies. It originated from a meme where someone dramatically complains, “I wish I could get a free bag of chiiiips,” in a drawn-out, sing-song voice.
Example
Student: “I really wish I had a free penciiiil.”
Teacher: “I really wish you came prepared to claaaass.” (Teacher Zander Epps suggests responding in the same whiny tone for bonus points.)
11. Buns
This slang indicates doing poorly on something.
Example
One of our readers, Katie Evens, provided a great example:
“Buns, as in ‘Oh man, I did buns on that test.’”
12. Glazed
This term refers to overly praising someone.
Example
Sarah Brock shared, “A student will say something nice to suck up to me. Another student will then say, ‘Mrs. Brock, he just glazed you.’”
13. Rizz
This term refers to your ability to flirt or charm someone effortlessly.
Example
Student 1: “Who are you taking to homecoming this weekend?”
Student 2: “You know I’ve got a lot of options because I’ve got mad rizz.”
14. Bussin
This term simply means something is very good, often referring to food.
Example
Student: “This McFrappe is bussin.”
15. Cap
This slang means “you’re lying” or “that’s not true.”
Example
Teacher: “We have a quiz today.”
Student: “That’s cap.”
Teacher: “No cap, we have a quiz today.”
Student: “That’s kizzy cap.”
Teacher: “No, it is not kizzy cap. We have a quiz today.”
16. Cooked
This term signifies a feeling of defeat, as in “I will not defeat this” or “I will not survive this (bad grade, paper, exam, etc.).”
Example
“We have a quiz today? I’m cooked.”
17. Drip
This slang refers to clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Example
Student: “Love the drip today.”
Teacher: “Thank you. I got it on sale at Target.”
18. Slay
This term means “you are doing an excellent job.”
Example
Teacher: “What do you need in your body paragraphs to support your reasons?”
Student: “Evidence?”
Teacher: “Slay.”
19. Lowkey
This term signifies an opinion that you’re trying to express subtly.
Example
Student: “Lowkey, I actually like the school’s buffalo chicken dip.”
20. Smacks
This slang indicates that something is very good.
Example
Student: “The buffalo chicken dip smacks.”
21. Extra
This term refers to someone or something that is over-the-top.
Example
Student: *sees Valentine’s Day headband on my head* “Mrs. Naumoff, why you gotta be so extra today?”
22. Tea
This term refers to fresh gossip.
Example
Student 1: “Can I spill the tea for you?”
Student 2: “Not unless it’s piping hot tea.”
Student 1: “This is the freshest tea.”
Student 2: “Spill.”
23. Skibidi
This nonsense word is usually paired with “toilet” and can act as an adjective to describe something that is either very good or very bad.
Example
“Lowkey, this test is skibidi toilet.”
24. Aura points
This term describes your vibe; you can earn them by doing something that Gen Z considers worthy, but you can also lose them. I feel like I lose mine every time I adopt their vocabulary into my lessons. I’m probably at negative 10,000 aura points, and the school year is only halfway through!
Example
“You brought us Christmas cookies? You get 10,000 aura points for that.”
25. Yeet
This term means to throw something.
Example
Student: *frustrated with the Chromebook* “Can I just yeet my computer out the window?”
Teacher: “No, I am afraid you cannot throw the computer out of the window. Try turning it off and back on again. That is my go-to solution for all computer problems.”
26. Flex
This term means to brag about something.
Example
Student 1: “I never pop my zits. I just leave them there for the world to see.”
Student 2: “Weird flex, but OK.”
27. Big yikes
This term refers to something embarrassing.
Example
“I just accidentally sent the red heart emoji to my crush, big yikes.”
28. Poggers
This term means something is really exciting.
Example
“Did you hear we’re going on a field trip today for English? It’s poggers.”
29. Gas
This term signifies something that is really good.
Example
“Did you listen to Taylor Swift’s new vault tracks? They are gas.”
30. Straight fire
This phrase means something is really good, or better than the rest.
Example
“Chris Stapleton singing ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was straight fire.”
31. Pick-me girl
This term describes a girl who constantly seeks sympathy or attention. (For the record, I genuinely feel bad for this girl and this phrase. Let’s perhaps explore why she is seeking sympathy in the first place?)
Example
“That pick-me girl is complaining about how Emma treats her again.”
32. Dead
This slang indicates that something was so funny it made you feel like you died, or that it was so shocking you feel “dead.”
Example
Reads a funny or embarrassing story in a message and responds “I’m dead,” or simply sends the dead face emoji.
33. Aesthetic
This term describes something that has a specific vibe, often an artistic or appealing quality.
Example
“I love that Google Slides aesthetic. It’s so 1990s.”
34. Era
This slang refers to a phase someone is currently experiencing.
Example
“I’m in my mini-van mom era and loving every minute of it.”
35. Delulu
This term is an abbreviation of “delusional.”
Example
“Call me delulu but I actually think that if I met Taylor Swift, we would be friends.”
36. Oof
This term is a sound from Roblox that can mean “oops” or express discomfort for oneself or another person.
Example
Student 1: “I sent him two texts back-to-back and he never responded last night.”
Student 2. “Oof.”
37. Ate that
This phrase signifies doing an excellent job, often followed by “and left no crumbs.”
Example
“Did you see my score on that exam? I ate that.”
38. Basic
This term describes someone who is perceived as boring and conforming to trends.
Example
Student 1: “If you carry a Stanley and wear Uggs, you’re basic.”
Student 2: “I feel attacked.”
39. Fam
This slang term refers to family, but can also describe friends who feel like family.
Example
“This quizlet deck is lit, fam.”
40. Cheugy
This term is used by Gen Z to describe the habits and trends associated with millennials.
Example
“So, are low-rise jeans cheugy or are they Gen-Z?”
41. Bruh
This slang stands for “bro.” If you interact with any teen, you’ve likely been called this at least once.
Example
“Bruh, is our essay seriously due tomorrow?”
42. Hits different
This term signifies something that impacts you in a more significant way than other things.
Example
“Usher’s Confession album just hits different when you watch him at the Super Bowl in your 30s.”
43. Roman Empire
This phrase refers to what someone spends a significant amount of time thinking about.
Example
“My Roman Empire is Taylor Swift.”
44. Fit
This slang is short for “outfit.”
Example
“Love the fit, girl. Slay.”
45. It’s giving …
