It’s no secret that Gen Z loves making up new slang. Every time I open TikTok, there’s always another word to keep up with. However, this TikTok slang hasn’t just taken over the internet; it’s now taken over our dictionaries.
The Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 new words this year, and many of them will be familiar to Gen Z. Words that started as jokes and in TikTok comment sections, including skibidi and delulu, have even been included. And this isn’t a joke. Colin McIntosh, the dictionary’s Lexical Programme Manager, says they have been added because they have “staying power”.
I mean, if Shakespeare can make up his own words, why can’t we? But instead of poetic verbs, we have the modern equivalent: Pointless toilet-related memes that refuse to die. So, here are all the Gen-Z words added to the dictionary.
Skibidi
Yes, the word “skibidi” has made it to the Cambridge Dictionary. And to be honest, I don’t even think the people using it fully know what it means.
It stems from an animated series called “skibidi toilet” on YouTube, involving videos of heads coming out toilets singing “skibidi”. You actually can’t make this stuff up.
But, Gen Z has now turned it into a common word on the internet and now the English language, but let’s be real, it doesn’t actually mean anything.
Tradwife
@tradwifetori We’re TRAD wives
@Ry
#Tradwives #wife #funny #skit #foryoupage #explore
Arguably setting us back a few decades, “tradwife” is short for “traditional wife”.
A “tradwife” wife is an influencer that posts content about marriage, looking after her children, cooking, and cleaning.
But in reality, on TikTok, it’s mostly women in floral aprons posting about their new sourdough starters and claiming feminism has gone too far.
Broligarchy
via Unsplash
No, this isn’t a joke. Cambridge Dictionary actually added “broligarchy”.
It’s part meme, part social commentary on the rich and powerful men involved in business and technology that want political power. They’re often used to describe men like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.
We might call this one slang, but it’s lowkey a reality.
Delulu
@ktfranklin feeding eachothers delusions everyday
#pov #ukcomedy #delulu #delusional
If you use TikTok, you’ve definitely heard the word “delulu” by now.
Short for delusional, it’s the Gen Z way to admit to being in your own world, usually about crushes, year-long situationships, and fictional characters.
But people are embracing it, claiming “delulu is the solulu”. Some say it’s a lifestyle, but really, it’s just an excuse to ignore reality for a while.
Mouse jiggler
via Unsplash
Inspired by the post-Covid world, the term “mouse jiggler” is the real remote working hack.
It’s technology that makes your mouse move so that you appear to be working when in reality you’re six episodes deep on that Netflix series you’ve been meaning to watch.
Quite genius really.
