Everyday Usually harmless
Ate
Did something extremely well, especially a performance, outfit or response.
“That dance performance ate.”
For parents
Usually enthusiastic praise.
Get early access Parenting tipsDecode the words.
GEN Z + GEN ALPHA
Decode the words.
Keep the conversation open.
Clear explanations of the language children meet in chats, games and social media—plus the context parents actually need.
Plain meanings Conversation starters Safety-aware context
THE DECODER
31 terms explained
Meanings change across friend groups and platforms. Read the situation, not only the word.
Everyday Usually harmless
Bet
Okay, agreed or challenge accepted.
“Meet after class? Bet.”
For parents
Usually a quick way to say yes.
Text & social Context matters
Brainrot
Content or a topic someone has watched or thought about so much that it takes over their humour.
“My feed is pure brainrot today.”
For parents
Often playful; notice whether the content is crowding out sleep, school or offline interests.
Everyday Usually harmless
Cap / No cap
Cap means a lie or exaggeration. No cap means honestly or for real.
“That happened, no cap.”
For parents
Common emphasis, not automatically a sign of dishonesty.
Everyday Context matters
Cooked
In trouble, exhausted or unlikely to recover from a situation.
“I forgot the assignment—I’m cooked.”
For parents
Ask what happened before assuming something serious.
Everyday Context matters
Crash out
To lose control emotionally or react recklessly.
“Don’t crash out over one comment.”
For parents
Check whether this describes a joke, anger, threats or actual risky behaviour.
Everyday Usually harmless
Delulu
Short for delusional; usually used jokingly about an unrealistic hope or belief.
“I’m delulu enough to think we’ll get front-row tickets.”
For parents
Often self-deprecating humour rather than a mental-health statement.
Safety signs Needs attention
Doxxing
Sharing someone’s private identifying information online without permission.
“Someone threatened to dox him after the game.”
For parents
Save evidence, protect accounts and treat threats involving addresses, school details or phone numbers seriously.
Everyday Usually harmless
Drip
A stylish outfit, accessories or overall appearance.
“That jacket is pure drip.”
For parents
Usually a compliment about style.
Text & social Context matters
FOMO
Fear of missing out on an event, trend or group experience.
“I only downloaded it because of FOMO.”
For parents
A useful opening to discuss peer pressure and online comparison.
Relationships Context matters
Ghosting
Suddenly ending communication without explaining why.
“They were chatting every day, then he ghosted her.”
For parents
Ask how it affected your child rather than judging either person immediately.
Gaming Usually harmless
GG
Good game; said after a match, sincerely or sometimes sarcastically.
“GG everyone—see you tomorrow.”
For parents
Tone and the rest of the chat determine whether it is friendly.
Text & social Usually harmless
IYKYK
If you know, you know—used for an inside joke or shared experience.
“Best lunch spot near school, IYKYK.”
For parents
Usually signals shared context, not necessarily a secret.
Safety signs Needs attention
KMS
An abbreviation for ‘kill myself.’ It may be used as exaggeration, but it can also signal real distress.
“I failed again, KMS.”
For parents
Do not dismiss it as slang. Check calmly and directly whether your child is safe and needs immediate support.
Safety signs Needs attention
KYS
An abusive abbreviation telling someone to kill themselves.
“A player kept sending KYS after the match.”
For parents
Treat it as harmful language. Save evidence, block or report the sender, and check your child’s wellbeing.
Everyday Usually harmless
Low-key
Quietly, slightly or without wanting to make a big deal of it.
“I low-key liked that movie.”
For parents
Usually softens an opinion or admission.
Text & social Context matters
Main character
Someone acting as if everything revolves around them—or confidently enjoying their own life.
“She’s having a main-character moment.”
For parents
It can be praise, teasing or criticism depending on tone.
Everyday Usually harmless
Mid
Average, unimpressive or not worth the hype.
“The new season was mid.”
For parents
Usually casual criticism.
Gaming Context matters
NPC
Originally a non-player game character; online it can describe someone seen as repetitive or lacking independent thought.
“They called him an NPC in the group chat.”
For parents
It may be a joke, but repeated use toward one child can become dehumanising or bullying.
Gaming Usually harmless
OP
In games, overpowered. On forums, it can also mean the original poster.
“That character is completely OP.”
For parents
The platform usually makes the meaning clear.
Text & social Context matters
OOMF
One of my followers or friends—used to mention someone without naming them.
“OOMF needs to stop spoiling every show.”
For parents
Often playful, but can enable indirect conflict or public shaming.
Text & social Usually harmless
POV
Point of view; introduces a scenario shown from a particular perspective.
“POV: you forgot it was picture day.”
For parents
A common video and meme format.
Text & social Context matters
Ratio
When a reply receives more approval than the original post, suggesting people disagree with it.
“That post got ratioed.”
For parents
Can be harmless internet commentary or part of online pile-on behaviour.
Text & social Context matters
Receipts
Screenshots or other evidence used to prove what someone said or did.
“She brought receipts to the group chat.”
For parents
Discuss consent and the risks of forwarding private conversations.
Relationships Usually harmless
Rizz
Charm or confidence, especially when flirting.
“He has zero rizz.”
For parents
Usually teasing about social confidence.
Text & social Context matters
Sigma
A meme label for someone seen as independent, confident or outside the usual social hierarchy—often used ironically.
“He thinks waking up at five makes him sigma.”
For parents
Usually a joke; context matters if it appears alongside hostile gender stereotypes.
Relationships Context matters
Simp
Someone seen as giving excessive attention or effort to a person they like.
“His friends called him a simp for sending flowers.”
For parents
It can shame kindness or become insulting when repeatedly aimed at someone.
Everyday Usually harmless
Slay
To do something exceptionally well or look especially confident.
“You slayed that presentation.”
For parents
Usually strong praise.
Everyday Usually harmless
Sus
Suspicious, questionable or not quite believable.
“That message looks sus.”
For parents
Often playful, but it can also flag a genuine online concern.
Safety signs Needs attention
Unalive
A euphemism for death or suicide, sometimes used to avoid platform filters.
“The video kept saying ‘unalive’ instead of ‘die.’”
For parents
The word alone may describe content, but personal statements or threats deserve an immediate, calm safety check.
Gaming Usually harmless
W / L
W means a win or something good; L means a loss, failure or bad outcome.
“Getting Friday off is a huge W.”
For parents
Common beyond gaming as quick praise or criticism.
PAUSE BEFORE YOU PANIC
A word is a clue.
Context tells the story.
- 01Ask with curiosity
“I keep hearing that word. What does it mean in your group?”
- 02Look at the context
Who said it, where it appeared and how your child reacted matter more than a definition alone.
- 03Respond to the behaviour
Focus on bullying, pressure, secrecy or distress—not on punishing unfamiliar language.
A NOTE FOR FAMILIES
Slang changes fast—and context always matters.
This guide is educational, not a monitoring tool or a substitute for professional support. A term can be harmless in one conversation and concerning in another. If a message suggests immediate danger, self-harm, exploitation or abuse, prioritise the child’s safety and seek appropriate help.
Sample glossary · Last reviewed September 2026