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Q: How do you translate Gen Z slang to English?

Paste the message into the Ask box on Phylum Digital. It shows a plain-English version, and for every explained term gives the meaning, whether it is still in use, and where it originally came from, with a link to the full sourced page.

Type a word or paste a whole message. For every term we know, you get what it means, whether it is still alive or cringe, and where it really came from — with the full sourced page one click away. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Know the meaning but not the word? Type the meaning — “liar”, “cool”, “ugly” — and we find the slang for it.

Browse every term, A–Z

The guide: 50 explained terms, each with a plain-English meaning, its origin, and its current status. Filter by status to see what is fresh and what is fossilised.

Is it still alive?

Where each meme sits on the meme life cycle, read off our instruments. A curated snapshot, not an automated feed — a considered field opinion, updated by hand.

Extinct memes

A memorial to the memes that burned bright, went feral, and finally went quiet. Dates are peak periods, not precise ends. Some residents are known to reanimate without notice.

Frequently asked

How do you translate Gen Z slang to English?

Paste the message into the box above. You get a plain-English version, and for every explained term the meaning, whether it is still in use, and where it originally came from — with a link to the full sourced page.

How do I know if a slang word is still cool or cringe?

Every term carries a status — fresh, safe, cooling, risky or dead — with a one-line verdict. It is our editorial read of current usage, updated by hand, not an automated measurement.

Where does most Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang come from?

A large share originates in African American Vernacular English and Black culture, plus the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene, gaming and streaming, K-pop fandom and, for some terms, manosphere forums. Read the full report on where slang really comes from →

Is the lookup free and private?

Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is uploaded or stored.

Every word, A to Z

The full list of memes and slang words we explain, each in one line. Tap a word for the full page with sources.

Ate AliveTo ‘eat’ or ‘ate’ (and leave no crumbs) means to do something flawlessly.

Aura ThrivingSomeone’s coolness or presence, scored in imaginary ‘aura points’ (+1000 / −1000). ‘Aura farming’ means acting effortlessly cool.

Aura farming AliveDoing something repeatedly because it makes you look effortlessly cool.

Ballerina Cappuccina AliveA ballerina with a cappuccino cup for a head — the most family-safe Italian brainrot character.

Based AliveBeing confidently, unapologetically yourself; also ‘agreed, and true.’

Bombardiro Crocodilo AliveA crocodile fused with a military bomber plane; the villain of Italian brainrot. Its original audio drew serious criticism for making light of the Gaza conflict.

Bombombini Gusini AliveA goose with jet wings, written in fan lore as Bombardiro Crocodilo’s brother.

Brain rot AliveThe mush from too much throwaway content, and the content itself.

Brr Brr Patapim AliveA proboscis monkey fused with a tree, known for enormous feet.

Bussin FadingReally good — most often delicious food. ‘Bussin bussin’ means extra good.

Cap / No cap Alive‘Cap’ means a lie; ‘no cap’ means ‘no lie / for real.’ ‘That’s cap’ = that’s not true.

Cappuccino Assassino AliveA cappuccino cup with a face and a sword — ‘assassin cappuccino.’

Chat ThrivingThe livestream audience; said out loud to a room, or to nobody.

Chimpanzini Bananini AliveA chimpanzee fused with a banana. The clearest example of the -ini naming formula.

Chopped ThrivingUgly or badly done. Spawned ‘choppelganger’ (an off-brand celebrity lookalike) and ‘chopped unc.’ Part of a wider looks-ranking vocabulary.

Clanker ThrivingAn insult for robots and AI, borrowed from Star Wars.

Clock it AliveTo notice something, especially something subtle others missed.

Cooked ThrivingTwo senses: to excel (‘she cooked,’ ‘let him cook’) and to be done for or exhausted (‘I’m cooked’). Context decides.

Cortisol-coded ThrivingLooks or feels stressful. The opposite is low-cortisol.

Crash out ThrivingTo lose your composure — snap or have an angry outburst.

Delulu AlivePlayful short form of ‘delusional’ — hopeful, unrealistic beliefs, said affectionately. ‘Delulu is the solulu.’

Demure FadingA joking way of saying modest, tidy and considerate.

Drip AliveA stylish, fashionable look — ‘he’s got drip.’

Dupe AliveAn affordable duplicate of an expensive product.

Fanum tax FadingTaking a share of a friend’s food.

Glazing ThrivingPraising someone excessively — over-the-top hype that feels fake or cringe. ‘Stop glazing.’

Glitch-walking ThrivingMoving awkwardly, like a lagging video-game character.

Glow up AliveA dramatic transformation for the better — in looks, confidence or life.

GOATed AliveBeing the greatest — from GOAT, ‘Greatest Of All Time.’ ‘This game is goated’ means it’s the best.

Gyatt FadingAn exclamation of surprise or admiration.

It’s giving AliveDescribes the vibe or energy something puts out — ‘it’s giving summer.’

Larping ThrivingFaking a persona you don’t actually have.

Lirilì Larilà AliveAn elephant-cactus in sandals; fans granted it the power to stop time.

Lock in AliveTo focus completely and cut out distractions.

Looksmaxxing AliveDoing things to ‘maximise’ your appearance, from subtle habits (softmaxxing: skincare, mewing) to drastic measures (hardmaxxing: surgery).

Lore dump ThrivingUnloading a huge amount of backstory at once.

Mewing FadingPressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth to define the jawline (tied to looksmaxxing), plus a ‘be quiet’ gesture. No solid scientific backing.

Mid AliveMediocre, average, unimpressive — ‘that movie was mid.’ The sting is that ‘average’ is treated as a letdown.

Mogging FadingVisibly outshining someone in looks or status.

NPC AliveSomeone who acts robotically, without independent thought — like a scripted ‘non-player character’ in a game.

Ohio FadingSlang for something weird, cursed or bizarre — not the actual state.

Opp AliveShort for opposition: a rival or enemy, often used jokingly.

Pookie AliveAn affectionate nickname — like ‘babe’ or ‘sweetie’ — for a partner, friend or pet. The most-searched Gen Z slang term.

Rage bait ThrivingContent made deliberately to make you angry so that you comment and share it.

Rizz AliveCharm or ‘game’ — the ability to attract someone.

Rizzler FadingSomeone with lots of rizz — a charming, smooth flirt (a pun on The Riddler). ‘The Rizzler’ is also a viral young creator.

Side quest AliveA random detour from what you were supposed to be doing.

Sigma EndangeredA coolly independent ‘lone wolf,’ or loosely ‘excellent.’

Simp AliveSomeone showing excessive devotion to a person who doesn’t reciprocate; now often playful. Note: can carry sexist undertones.

Skibidi FadingA nonsense word with no fixed meaning, used for humorous or ironic effect.

Slay AliveTo do something exceptionally well, with style and confidence.

Slop ThrivingLow-quality content made in bulk, usually by AI.

Sus AliveShort for ‘suspicious’ — something or someone that seems off.

That’s AI ThrivingCalling something fake, generic, or too polished to trust — the signature insult of the authenticity era.

Touch grass AliveGo outside and reconnect with reality — aimed at someone who is far too online.

Tralalero Tralalà AliveA three-legged shark in sneakers — the first Italian brainrot character.

Trippi Troppi AliveA cat fused with a shrimp.

Tung Tung Tung Sahur AliveA wooden figure named for the Indonesian Ramadan drum call that wakes people for sahur — not Italian at all.

Unc ThrivingShort for ‘uncle’ — teasing slang for someone acting old or out of touch. ‘Unc status.’

Viking Row AliveNorway’s viral 2026 World Cup chant: fans row an imaginary longship in unison to a drumbeat.

Yapping AliveTalking a lot without saying much, usually said with affection.