Every generation has its language, but let’s be honest—some of the phrases kids toss around these days make Boomers cringe. It’s not just the words; it’s the attitude behind them. These little snippets of slang often leave older generations feeling like they need a translator—or maybe just some peace and quiet. If you’ve ever seen a Boomer shake their head at modern lingo, here’s why. These 14 phrases are the ones they’d happily leave in the past.
1. “It’s Giving…”
“It’s giving boss vibes” or “It’s giving chaotic energy.” To Boomers, this phrase sounds like it’s missing an ending—or a point. They’d prefer you just say what you mean instead of trying to sound trendy. While younger folks love the dramatic flair, Boomers are over here thinking, “Can we stop being vague and just say it’s good or bad?” It’s like speaking in code when the plain language works just fine.
2. “No Cap”
“No cap” means “no lie,” but Boomers can’t get past the fact that it sounds like a discussion about hats. To them, this phrase feels like unnecessary slang for something so simple. Why complicate honesty? A good old-fashioned “seriously” or “I mean it” gets the job done without all the head-scratching. The confusion is real, and they’re not about to start using this one anytime soon.
3. “Bet”
When kids say “bet,” they mean “okay” or “I’m down,” but Boomers hear it and think someone’s placing a wager. This minimalist slang feels lazy to them, like we’ve officially run out of effort to string together a sentence. They’d rather you say “sure” or “sounds good” instead of leaving them wondering what just happened. It’s a one-word reply that leaves way too much room for interpretation.
4. “Periodt”
Adding a hard “T” to “period” is meant to emphasize finality, but to Boomers, it just sounds unnecessary—and a bit dramatic. They get that it’s supposed to shut down the conversation, but it often leaves them rolling their eyes. Why not just stick with “period” and call it a day? The added flair feels like overkill, and they’re not here for it.
5. “Slay”
“You’re slaying” or “That outfit slays.” While younger generations use this as a high compliment, Boomers hear it and think, “Are we battling dragons now?” To them, it’s an over-the-top way to say something looks good. They’d prefer simpler praise, like “You look great,” over a word that makes them feel like they’ve missed an entire pop culture memo.
6. “I’m Dead”
When today’s kids say “I’m dead” after hearing something funny, Boomers don’t laugh—they worry. To them, it’s totally morbid and unnecessary. Why declare yourself deceased over a joke? They’re left wondering why we can’t just say “That’s hilarious” or “I can’t stop laughing” instead of taking humor to such a dark place. It’s not exactly raising spirits, and it doesn’t land well with older ears.
7. “Sus”
Short for “suspicious,” this word gained popularity from gaming culture, but Boomers find it absolutely baffling. They’d rather you just say “sketchy” or “suspicious” instead of cutting a perfectly good word in half. To them, it sounds like an incomplete thought—or like you’re too tired to finish your sentence. They’ll probably just nod along and hope you explain what you mean.
8. “Low-Key”
“I’m low-key excited” or “That was low-key annoying.” Boomers struggle with the irony of using “low-key” to draw attention to something. To them, it’s either subtle or it’s not—why qualify it? This phrase feels like over-complicating emotions, and they’d much rather you just say, “I’m excited” or “That annoyed me.” The whole “low-key” thing feels anything but low-key to them.
9. “Lit”
Once used to describe something literally on fire, “lit” now means something exciting, cool, or fun. Boomers, however, find it confusing and overused. They’d rather hear “amazing” or “awesome” than a word that leaves them wondering if you’re talking about a candle. It’s trendy, sure, but to them, it feels like another unnecessary addition to the slang pile.
10. “Mood”
When kids say “That’s a mood,” they mean they deeply relate to something. Boomers, on the other hand, are left scratching their heads. Why reduce a whole experience to one vague word? They’d prefer you explain what you’re feeling instead of dropping a phrase that feels incomplete. It’s shorthand that doesn’t translate well across generations.
11. “Extra”
Describing someone as “extra” means they’re over-the-top, but Boomers often find this label rude or entirely dismissive. They don’t understand why being enthusiastic or dramatic needs a negative connotation. For them, “extra” should mean something positive, like going above and beyond, not a backhanded insult disguised as playful slang.
12. “Flex”
“Weird flex, but okay” or “That’s a flex.” To Boomers, this slang for showing off just feels clunky. Why not just say “showing off” or “bragging”? It’s another example of modern language that feels needlessly complicated. They’d rather skip the slang altogether and get straight to the point without trying to decode what a “flex” even is.
13. “Shook”
Used to describe being shocked or surprised, “shook” feels incomplete to Boomers. They’d prefer to hear “I’m stunned” or “I’m surprised” instead of slang that feels grammatically off. The overuse of “shook” for even minor surprises adds to their frustration—it feels like words have lost their meaning, and they’re not thrilled about it.
14. “Vibes”
“Good vibes only” or “That place has bad vibes.” Boomers find this phrase vague and overused. To them, “vibes” sounds like something from the 1970s that should have stayed there. They’d prefer more concrete descriptions—like “great atmosphere” or “uncomfortable energy”—instead of catch-all slang that doesn’t really explain much. The word’s resurgence feels unnecessary, and they’re not buying into it.
This content was created by a real person with the assistance of AI.
