If you know, you know

Over the past couple of years, slang words have been used between friends and on social media. Slang is a type of language that is too creative to use in certain situations that close groups of people use when communicating. Slang words are like code words that are held to an informal nonstandard that have a meaning for the common things that are relevant to today. Teenagers use slang the most as short cuts or a way to talk about things without certain people understanding.

Most parents, elders, and even some teachers don’t understand what the slang words mean, or more importantly why we even use them.

“It bothers me when they use it in their writing,” teacher Melissa Kevonian said. “They use a lot of abbreviations as if they’re texting, or they use informal language.”

Since vocabulary is always growing and school, especially English class, is important, some teachers can find slang annoying or difficult to work around.

Regardless of slang being looked down upon by some, teens will still be using and creating new words. “I think every generation has their own thing and that’s okay,” Kevonian said, “just keep it out of job interviews and formal essays.”

We asked Utica staff members what these slang words mean. Check out their responses on our YouTube channel.

“First, ‘phat’ p-h. It ‘that’s So if you ‘Oh so-andso is phat’ it means they’re ‘Totes’ be another one. For example, someone asks, you watch you answer,

Teachers fill us in on slang during their high school years

Facts

Definition: People use this word when something is very true or they agree with something.

Let him cook

Definition: Meaning “let him do his thing.” grew up in the 80s, so we used to say things like ‘rad’ or ‘radical.’ We used to say ‘cosmic,’ too. ‘Cool’ was always popular, we also used to say things were ‘totally awesome.’ If you’ve ever seen movie ‘Valley Girl’ there’s a lot of 80’s in it.”

“You guys talk weird. I wasn’t much of a slang person.”

Teacher Clinton Davis that’s with a means ‘that’s cool.’ you say, so-andphat’ means they’re cool. ‘Totes’ would another For example, someone ‘Did watch the game last night?’ Then answer, ‘Totes.”

Teacher Michael Zalewski

Goated

Definition: Being very good at something or being the ‘Greatest Of All Time’.

Caught In 4k

Definition: Getting caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing on camera.

Slaps

Definition: When something is really good or enjoyable.

Iykyk

Definition: Simply means if you know, you know.

Rent Free

Definition: When something lives rent-free in a person’s head, that person is spending way too much time thinking about it.

Slay

Definition: Used to describe something amazing, or when something goes your way.

Mid

Definition: Used to insult an opposing opinion, or labeling it as just being average.