According to Gen Z, you've been using these 8 words all wrong
Think 'ate' means having lunch? Or 'serve' is something to do with dinner? We hate to break it to you, but you might need to rethink your vocab.
Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) are reinventing language, turning everyday words into trending buzzwords that have completely different meanings.
And they're not just inventing words, they're transforming old ones too.
If you don't have a Gen Z niece, nephew or co-worker to keep you in the loop, and you're feeling a little lost, you're not alone.
A study by English learning app Preply found that 30% of Gen X workers admit they have difficulty understanding their millennial and Gen Z coworkers.
So, if you're thinking about expanding your vocab, these are the words you need to know.
Then: Opposition or enemy
Now: Original poster
What used to describe your enemy or rival now simply refers to the person who started a post or thread online.
Having transitioned from street slang to social media dialect, you'll now find this acronym on Reddit, X, and TikTok communities.
Then: A maths equation
Now: Outperforming someone's social post in likes
Once confined to your GCSE revision nightmares, the term 'ratio' now carries a whole new kind of drama.
On social media, if someone replies to your post and their comment racks up more likes than yours, you've officially been ratioed.
'It's often used as a form of protest. People simply comment 'ratio' under a post they disagree with, and if that comment ends up with more likes than the original, it's considered a digital win for the reply.
Then: A hit with the hand
Now: Incredibly good
While it used to mean hitting something with your hand, it is now used to describe something that's really good.
'This slaps' is a common reaction after hearing a particularly great song or taking a delicious bite of food.
Then: Having eaten
Now: Doing an amazing job
When someone 'ate' (and left no crumbs), it means they excelled at something, the language experts at Preply explain. It can be used in a number of contexts, from when someone beautifully styles an outfit to aces their exam.
You'll often see this word in the comments section of photos, especially when enthusiastic friends or fans are hyping someone up.
Then: To offer someone
Now: Looking effortlessly great or doing something cool without trying
Previously, 'serve' meant to present something to somebody, typically food or drink. Nowadays, if someone is 'serving', they're turning heads.
If your friend's look is on point or their confidence is off the charts, you'd tell them they're serving, and they'd know exactly what you mean.
Then: Backstory in gaming or fantasy
Now: Used for personal backstories or drama
What began in fantasy novels and Dungeons & Dragons games has found a second life in the group chat. From celebrity feuds to your friend's long-lasting situationship, everything now has lore.
Simply put, it refers to the backstory or context behind something. If someone says 'the lore is wild', you know there's a backstory worth delving into.
Then: Pulled along the ground
Now: Publicly criticised or exposed
If you've been dragged online, you've been metaphorically pulled through the mud. More Trending
It could come in the form of a jibe, a clapback, or even a string of brutal emojis. Either way, someone's got a problem, and they want everyone to see it.
Then: The centre of something
Now: Added to anything to make it an aesthetic
From 'cottagecore' to 'balletcore' to 'fairycore', adding 'core' to the end of a word instantly gives it a distinct aesthetic.
You'll often see it on Pinterest and TikTok, used to define specific vibes or niche subcultures. Whatever you're into, there's almost certainly a 'core' for it.
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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