Language isn’t just a tool for communication—it’s a reflection of generational values, priorities, and perspectives. As younger generations bring new expressions into the mainstream, Boomers sometimes find themselves bewildered—or outright annoyed—by the latest buzzwords and jargon. These so-called “woke” phrases often feel performative or overly complicated to Boomers, who value plain-spoken communication. Here are 13 modern expressions that make Boomers roll their eyes and what they reveal about our evolving language.
1. “Let’s Normalize…”
On the surface, this phrase seems harmless—who wouldn’t want to encourage acceptance and open-mindedness? But for Boomers, “let’s normalize” often feels like a condescending command, especially when it’s applied to trivial matters like “Let’s normalize eating dessert for breakfast” or “Let’s normalize wearing pajamas all day.” According to The Week, Boomers often find phrases like “let’s normalize” condescending, as they prefer actions over declarations to determine societal acceptance.
What Boomers find particularly irksome is how this phrase seems to elevate personal preferences into societal mandates. While younger generations use it to spark conversations about inclusivity and change, Boomers often see it as a hollow rallying cry for things that don’t need formal acknowledgment. For them, some things are already “normal,” and saying it doesn’t make it so.
2. “Do Better”
This phrase packs a punch—and not always in a good way. Boomers often interpret “do better” as a vague yet authoritative critique, leaving them unsure of how to respond. Whether it’s aimed at an individual, a corporation, or society at large, the phrase can feel judgmental and unhelpful. As highlighted by Only Earthlings, Boomers perceive phrases like “do better” as vague and judgmental, preferring constructive criticism with clear solutions.
While younger generations see “do better” as a succinct way to demand accountability, Boomers argue that it lacks nuance. They grew up in an era where criticism often came with detailed solutions, and the absence of that guidance makes the phrase feel like a verbal slap on the wrist. For them, it’s less about resisting change and more about wanting clarity and context.
3. “Unpack That”
When Boomers hear “let’s unpack that,” their first thought is likely about luggage, not conversations. This phrase has become a staple of modern discourse, often used to signal that a topic requires deeper analysis. But for Boomers, it can feel like overkill—do we really need to dissect every comment or situation like it’s a graduate seminar? To them, some things are better left as they are, without turning them into a multi-layered discussion.
What really grates on Boomers is the implication that every statement carries hidden meanings or complexities. While younger generations value introspection and analysis, Boomers often see this as unnecessary overthinking. In their view, not everything needs to be “unpacked”—sometimes a suitcase is just a suitcase.
4. “It’s Giving…”
This trendy expression is the ultimate head-scratcher for Boomers. Used to describe vibes, aesthetics, or energy (“It’s giving main character energy”), it feels incomplete and confusing to those accustomed to more direct language. Street Slang reports that expressions like “it’s giving” can confuse Boomers, who are accustomed to more direct language rather than fragmented statements.
Younger generations use “it’s giving” as a playful and creative way to convey impressions, but Boomers often perceive it as unnecessary fluff. They’re left wondering why a simple “It reminds me of…” wouldn’t suffice. To them, it’s a prime example of how modern language prioritizes trendiness over clarity.
5. “Speaking My Truth”
For Boomers, this phrase lands somewhere between self-indulgent and overly dramatic. While they value honesty, “speaking my truth” feels like a declaration that elevates personal opinions to an untouchable status. To them, truth is objective, not subjective, and framing an opinion as “my truth” makes it harder to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Younger generations use this phrase to emphasize lived experiences and personal narratives, but Boomers often see it as a way to shut down opposing viewpoints. In their minds, calling something “your truth” implies that it’s immune to scrutiny or debate, which runs counter to their belief in open, honest conversations.
6. “Lived Experience”
To Boomers, this term feels redundant—after all, what other kind of experience is there? While younger generations use it to highlight personal perspectives and validate individual stories, Boomers often see it as an unnecessarily academic way of saying “what happened to me.” They prefer straightforward language that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to sound profound.
What adds to their frustration is the way “lived experience” is sometimes used to prioritize personal anecdotes over broader discussions. While they respect the value of individual stories, Boomers believe there’s room for both personal and collective insights without resorting to what they see as jargon-heavy phrasing.
7. “Allyship”
While the concept of supporting marginalized communities is something many Boomers value, the term “allyship” itself feels clunky and overly formal to them. It’s not that they oppose the idea—it’s that the word feels like an unnecessary complication. As The Boomer Insight explains, Boomers often resist the term “allyship” not for its intent but for its overly formal and jargon-like nature, favoring words like “support” or “helping others.”
Younger generations might see “allyship” as a way to frame activism in a more specific context, but Boomers often find it alienating. They prefer language that emphasizes action over terminology, arguing that what you do matters more than what you call it.
8. “Safe Space”
The idea of a “safe space” is a polarizing one for Boomers. While they understand the importance of creating respectful and supportive environments, the term itself often feels like overreach. To them, it can come across as shielding people from uncomfortable truths or differing opinions, which they see as counterproductive to personal growth.
Boomers grew up in a time when resilience was often forged through adversity, so the concept of needing a designated “safe space” can feel foreign. They value open dialogue and the ability to handle opposing viewpoints without retreating to protected zones, which can make this modern expression feel at odds with their worldview.
9. “Microaggressions”
For Boomers, the term “microaggressions” often feels overly technical and accusatory. While they recognize the importance of addressing subtle, unintentional slights, the word itself can seem like a way to label every interaction as problematic. They prefer addressing issues directly rather than categorizing them under what they see as a buzzword.
Younger generations use the term to highlight the cumulative impact of small, everyday acts of discrimination, but Boomers often feel it creates unnecessary tension. They’d rather focus on fostering understanding through conversation rather than labeling behaviors in ways that can feel divisive.
10. “Cancel Culture”
Few terms spark as much debate as “cancel culture.” To Boomers, the phrase often represents a black-and-white approach to accountability that leaves no room for growth or redemption. They see it as a way to shut people down rather than encourage meaningful change, which feels at odds with their belief in second chances.
Younger generations might view “cancel culture” as a tool for holding people accountable, but Boomers argue that it oversimplifies complex issues. They’d rather focus on constructive conversations that allow for learning and progress instead of outright dismissal.
11. “Impact Over Intent”
This phrase is particularly grating for Boomers because it feels dismissive of good intentions. While they acknowledge the importance of considering the impact of one’s actions, they also believe intent matters. The idea that “impact is everything” can feel rigid and unforgiving, leaving no room for understanding or context.
Boomers value the idea of accountability, but they also want recognition for positive intentions. They see this phrase as emblematic of a cultural shift toward absolutes, which they find difficult to reconcile with their more nuanced perspective.
12. “Toxic Masculinity”
While the term aims to critique harmful behaviors, Boomers often feel it unfairly paints masculinity as inherently negative. To them, the phrase can come across as overly broad, making it harder to have balanced discussions about gender roles and expectations. They value addressing problematic behavior but struggle with terms that seem to indict entire identities.
Younger generations use “toxic masculinity” to highlight specific societal pressures and behaviors, but Boomers often find the term alienating. They’d prefer language that fosters understanding rather than creating what they perceive as unnecessary divides.
13. “Late-Stage Capitalism”
This dramatic term often feels hyperbolic to Boomers, who grew up during a time when capitalism was largely celebrated as a driver of progress and opportunity. While they acknowledge flaws in the system, framing every societal issue as a symptom of “late-stage capitalism” feels overly academic and fatalistic to them. Younger generations might see the term as a way to critique systemic inequalities, but Boomers argue that it focuses too much on the negatives without offering practical solutions. To them, it’s a phrase that sparks debates but rarely leads to actionable change.
This content was created by a real person with the assistance of AI.
