Chicago’s TikTok Buzz: The Intergenerational Slang Revolution
Hey there, Chicago! If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you might have stumbled upon something quite amusing. Picture this: an older person, likely a baby boomer, merrily waving at a quirky bed-and-breakfast or a peculiar set of blinds while throwing out phrases like “Northumberland Zoo hits different” and “It’s giving literate.” Sounds fun, right? Well, you’re not alone; nearly 4,000 of these lively videos have blazed their way across TikTok, racking up millions of views. It’s as if these posts are slowly hammering away at some linguistic coffin. But wait, there’s more!
The Slang Showdown
Now, these videos aren’t just your average TikTok antics. They come with their own blend of earnestness and intentional cringeyness. And let’s be honest, most of us know the feeling: when someone over 35 starts tossing around “slay” or “no cap,” chills run down your spine. Linguistically, it might be time to move on. But here’s the kicker: much of this slang isn’t purely Gen Z’s at all!
For example, phrases like “It’s giving,” “slay,” and “serving” have made their way into Gen Z’s vocabulary from Black and Latinx ball culture, long before TikTok came into play, largely popularized by shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race. And while “rizz” earned its title as the Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Year in 2023, when it pops up in ads for the Royal Armouries, well, that’s a whole different story. It just seems worlds apart from where it originated, which is all about the flashy Twitch streams of stars like Kai Cenat.
Generational Giggles
What’s fascinating here is the nature of intergenerational banter. Remember when “OK boomer” became a thing back in 2019? It was like a lightbulb going off, showcasing that Gen Z was fed up with the condescending tones of older generations. Millennials were still dealing with their own chaos, often too burnt out to engage in sibling squabbles, but Gen Z decided to be the energetic little engine of the internet culture.
What’s equally amusing is how, now, Gen Z finds themselves poking fun at Gen X. But here’s where it gets a bit more intricate: Gen X, having grown up as latchkey kids, aren’t easily shaken. They may respond to your TikTok in style, perhaps rallying their most feared wordsmith to come at you. Let’s be clear, these folks seem to have their own codes, and crossing them is no small task!
When Slang Becomes Marketing
As all generations dive into the colorful realm of TikTok, the once exclusive landscape of Gen Z slang is now a frequent topic for trendy marketing campaigns. The trend “Gen Z writes the marketing script” captures this phenomenon beautifully. Just a few months ago, another viral trend featured Gen Z staff joining in to edit videos, capturing the classic “ums” and awkward pauses from their older colleagues. This new wave feels like a playful twist from the days when “OK boomer” made headlines.
While the realm of TikTok becomes a gathering ground for people from every age group, it raises an interesting point: If you want to keep your cozy in-group chatter private, you might need a secret place—or ask the elusive Gen Alpha. They might just have the answer!
The Way Language Evolves
Language is a slippery little creature, isn’t it? One moment it’s alive and vibrant, and the next, it’s muddied and misused. When older folks pop onto TikTok to showcase hip phrases, it’s often not entirely clear who’s the butt of the joke. That ambiguity adds a hilarious twist to this ongoing generational banter.
Meanwhile, the intersection of AI and music has made waves recently, with chatter about an AI-generated song that sounded oddly like Justin Bieber crooning about Diddy. While the feds have charged Diddy with serious allegations, online observers are linking his fate with every note of that catchy tune.
So, Chicago, as we touch on everything from slang to laughter, one thing is crystal clear: this intergenerational dance on TikTok is bound to keep us entertained, insightful, and most importantly, connected. So grab your phone and start scrolling; you never know what gems you might find!
