Is your kid is speaking Italian gibberish? Blame this Gen Alpha ‘brainrot' meme
If your 10-year-old suddenly starts yelling 'tralaero tralala!' while pirouetting like a caffeinated ballerina, you're not hallucinating.
You've just been hit with a full-blown case of 'Italian Brainrot' — Gen Alpha's latest hyper-online obsession that makes 'Skibidi Toilet' look like Shakespeare.
Forget pasta, art, or bona-fide Italians: This trend has nothing to do with the land of 'La Dolce Vita' and everything to do with AI-generated chaos, garbled gibberish and digital derangement.
Born on TikTok in early 2025, 'Italian Brainrot' features bizarre, AI-spawned characters with fake-Italian names and storylines as warped as a Funhouse mirror.
Philip Lindsay, a social media creator who calls himself a 'student translator,' described Italian Brainrot as 'blending AI-images and videos with made-up stories' in a recent video.
'If I hear ballerina cappuccino one more time…' threatened one parent in the comments of another recent video by Lindsay.
Picture a ballerina with a cappuccino cup for a head (ballerina cappuccina), a crocodile-bomber-plane hybrid (bobardiro crocodilo), and a sneaker-wearing shark chanting his own name (tralaero tralala).
The concept behind 'Ballerina Cappuccina' was dreamed up in March by 24-year-old Susanu Sava-Tudor in Romania.
In an email to the New York Times, Sava-Tudor described the trend as a 'form of absurd humor' that's 'less about real Italy and more about the cinematic myth of Italy.'
His original video introducing 'Ballerina Cappuccina' — which he spelled 'Balerinna Cappucinna' — has since garnered over 45 million views and 3.8 million likes on TikTok.
3 'Ballerina Cappuccina,' a whimsical concept created in March by 24-year-old Susanu Sava-Tudor in Romania, has racked up over 45 million views and 3.8 million likes on TikTok since he first introduced it — under the original spelling 'Balerinna Cappucinna.'
Tiktok/@bailarina.capuccina_
The clips come with exaggerated 'Italian' voiceovers that sound like a Super Mario fever dream.
Oxford even named 'brainrot' one of 2024's words of the year, which should tell you everything you need to know about the current state of humanity.
And Gen Alpha can't get enough of it.
3 Oxford even designated 'brainrot' as one of its 2024 Words of the Year — a reflection, perhaps, of the cultural moment we're living in. And for Gen Alpha, the obsession shows no signs of slowing.
Dmytro Hai – stock.adobe.com
Content creator Summer Fox recently went viral after admitting she thought, at just 27, she was still 'down there with the kids' and 'up to speed with the slang.'
But after hearing Gen Alpha tossing around phrases like 'Ballerina Cappuccina,' she realized she was out of the loop.
In the clip, she shared that kids told her the phrase means someone who looks 'cute and classy' and that it's used as an adjective.
Fox also noted other Gen Alpha lingo like 'Skibidi,' 'what the sigma,' and 'aura points' — proof that today's youth speak in memes, not sentences.
Even educators are struggling to keep up.
Teachers say kids are yelling out Brainrot catchphrases mid-lesson, disrupting class, as reported by Parents.
But before you declare your household a 'Ballerina Cappuccina'-free zone, remember: to your kids, this is the new knock-knock joke. It's a way to bond, be silly, and flex their aura points.
'The sheer randomness of the meme is the point,' Yotam Ophir, a communications professor at the University at Buffalo, told the New York Times.
3 Before you ban 'Ballerina Cappuccina' from your household, keep in mind: for kids, it's the modern-day knock-knock joke — a playful way to connect, be silly, and show off their vibe.
Natalia – stock.adobe.com
'What users get from it is the sense that they are in the know — that they know something their mom doesn't know.'
'Maybe at some point there will be meaning to it,' Lindsay, the middle school teacher and content creator who studies Gen Alpha slang, told the outlet.
But for now, it's just another entry in the growing universe of AI-fueled 'mumbo jumbo.'
Molto bene, or whatever.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
8-Year-Old Leaves Her Mom Speechless When She Grabs the Bill During Their Breakfast Outing (Exclusive)
NEED TO KNOW A mom and daughter head out for a routine breakfast, but things don't go as expected A surprising moment between the pair has captured the hearts of millions online The mom opens up about the moment that made her emotional and proud beyond wordsWhen 8-year-old Lani reached across the breakfast table and grabbed the check, her mom, Jenny, was left speechless. In a moment that has now captivated millions on TikTok, a simple family meal turned into a viral celebration of kindness, responsibility and the everyday magic of childhood. Now, the woman behind the viral video is opening up about the daughter who sparked it all. 'She's super outgoing, always making new friends wherever we go, and she's got this infectious sense of humor that lights up any room,' Jenny tells PEOPLE, describing her daughter with unmistakable pride. 'Whether she's cracking jokes or just being her goofy self, she's always making people laugh.' Lani is not just the star of a viral video. She's a whirlwind of energy and curiosity, always eager to learn something new. Her creative streak shines through in everything from drawing and dancing to trying out new sports. 'Our relationship is really fun. We're really close,' Jenny says, reflecting on the adventures they share both in and out of the kitchen, where cooking and baking have become treasured activities. The now-famous TikTok, which Jenny posted with the caption 'Breakfast on Lani today. She definitely shocked the hell out of me,' has sparked a wave of reactions online. The video's text overlay reads, 'I'm wondering why she grabbed the check,' capturing Jenny's genuine surprise at her daughter's thoughtful gesture. 'It was a total surprise!' Jenny admits, recalling the moment with a laugh. 'To be honest, I forgot she even had money put up. I was confused on why she grabbed the check, because in my head I am like 'Girl, why do you care,' but when I saw her pull money out, I was like 'Whaaaaattt.' ' What was meant to be a simple mother-daughter breakfast became something much more. It became a moment that revealed just how much Lani has grown. Jenny says the moment was not only surprising but deeply moving, a testament to the values she's worked hard to nurture in her daughter. 'As her mom, I try to instill values like kindness and confidence in Lani,' Jenny tells PEOPLE. 'I want her to always treat others with respect and empathy, and to believe in herself, no matter what. I think those two qualities are so important as she grows, and I'm proud to see her already living them out in her own way.' The internet has responded with an outpouring of positivity, with viewers praising both Lani's sweet gesture and Jenny's parenting. 'I received a lot of positive responses, such as 'how she is so sweet' and 'mom is doing a great job,' ' Jenny says, her gratitude evident. Of course, the viral spotlight brings its share of scrutiny, too. 'But then there are some negative ones which focus on if the waitress received a tip or not,' she adds, laughing. For Jenny, the experience was far more than a social media moment. It was a powerful reminder of how much her daughter is growing. 'It was emotional for me,' she shares. 'To see Lani pay for breakfast at just 8 years old showed me how far she's come in terms of responsibility and thoughtfulness. More than that, it's a reflection of her kindness. She's always thinking of others, and I'm so proud to see that quality shine through. It made me realize just how much she's growing into a caring and considerate person.' As for Lani, the sudden attention has been both surprising and amusing. 'Lani's actually a bit surprised by all the attention the video's gotten!' Jenny says. 'She's so humble and doesn't quite realize the impact she's had on so many people. But she did think she was TikTok famous for a week.' Jenny hopes that other parents can learn from her experience and encourages them to lead by example. 'Kids really pick up on what they see at home,' she notes. 'I try to model kindness and respect in my own actions, whether it's how I treat others or how I approach challenges.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Looking ahead, Jenny and Lani are excited for more breakfast dates and the possibility of sharing new moments with the world. 'We've definitely got more breakfast dates planned! Lani loves those, and they're such a special time for us to just enjoy each other's company,' Jenny says. 'As for a follow-up TikTok, who knows? Lani's got so many ideas, and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up sharing another fun moment soon,' she adds. For now, Jenny and Lani are simply savoring these sweet moments one breakfast at a time and seeing where life takes them next. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answer and Help for July 17 #501
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles. Today's NYT Strands puzzle has some short and some long answers. Once you get the theme, though, you should be able to unscramble even the incredibly long answer. If you need hints and answers, read on. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page. Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far Hint for today's Strands puzzle Today's Strands theme is: Find your seat. If that doesn't help you, here's a clue: Enjoy the show! Clue words to unlock in-game hints Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle's theme. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work: NIGHT, CRATE, CRATES, WEST, HEATER, TARE, RATES, RATE, RATS, TEAT, HEAT Answers for today's Strands puzzle These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: BOXES, LOBBY, MEZZANINE, WINGS, BALCONY, ORCHESTRA Today's Strands spangram The completed NYT Strands puzzle for July 17, 2025, #501. NYT/Screenshot by CNET Today's Strands spangram is THEATERS. Find it by looking for the T that is two letters down on the far left row, and wind up and across.
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for July 17 #297
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles. My blue group hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition is geared toward Saturday Night Live fans, but if you know your basketball, you should be fine. I think the green group is even easier than the yellow group, but that might depend on how much time you've spent on the water. Read on for hints and the answers. Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That's a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn't show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic's own app. Or you can continue to play it free online. Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta Hints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group. Yellow group hint: WKRP. Green group hint: Ahoy! Blue group hint: The only prescription is more cowbell. Purple group hint: Fancy fores. Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Yellow group: Cincinnati teams, minus the S. Green group: Sailing terms. Blue group: Members of the Indiana Fever. Purple group: "Royal" Open Championship venues. Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words What are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 17, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNET The yellow words in today's Connections The theme is Cincinnati teams, minus the S. The four answers are Bearcat, Bengal, Musketeer and Red. The green words in today's Connections The theme is sailing terms. The four answers are hull, keel, mast and rudder. The blue words in today's Connections The theme is members of the Indiana Fever. The four answers are Boston, Clark, Howard and Mitchell. The purple words in today's Connections The theme is "Royal" Open Championship venues. The four answers are Birkdale, Liverpool, Portrush and St. George's.
