Generational Slang Showdown: Gen X vs. Gen Z

Understanding each other across generations can be quite tricky. It turns out, Gen X isn’t entirely “out of touch” with the slang of Zoomers, but surprisingly, Gen Z isn’t exactly fluent in the terms their parents used, either. A fun, informal showdown occurred in Times Square, highlighting this generational gap.

Participants like James Curran, 49, and his daughter Katie, 17, along with Isabella Moss, 18, and her mother Allison, 53, took part in this entertaining slang quiz where familiarity was tested.

We first threw some Zoomer slang at the Gen X crowd—words like “saab,” “stan,” and “rizz.” Then we flipped the script, quizzing Gen Z on classic terms from Gen X, such as “gnarly,” “grody,” and “tubular.” Want to join in on the fun? Try the quiz for yourself!

Gen X Slang

Gnarly

“Gnarly” is a term often associated with surfers, meaning something is, well, cool or tricky. The word has roots in its original meaning related to twisted or rough, but flipped in the ’70s by California surfers. It peaked in popularity thanks to Sean Penn’s character in the film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” So, if you hear someone say “gnarly,” they might just mean it’s excellent or perhaps challenging.

Bogart

Now, “bogart” had some Gen Z participants scratching their heads, with some even mentioning magical creatures. The term actually refers to the iconic Humphrey Bogart, who was known for his smoldering on-screen presence with a cigarette in hand. It means to hog something without sharing.

Tubular

This term, emerging from surf culture, initially described surfable waves but morphed to mean anything fantastic after being popularized by the movie “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” However, many younger folks were puzzled by its usage.

Bodayas

“Bodailas,” still kicking around, primarily described someone impressive or attractive, but only a few Zoomers could make heads or tails of it.

Grody

This word originated from “grotty,” made famous by The Beatles. In the ’80s, it caught on among surfers in California, but now, even if some Zoomers could guess its meaning, they noted it’s not in regular use anymore. It’s essentially a quirky way to say something is gross.

ZZ Slang

Stan

“Stan” came from an Eminem song and describes a superfan, possibly a bit obsessed. James Curran knew its backstory well, illustrating that cultural context can bridge gaps.

Kill

The term “slay,” having roots in the LGBTQ+ community, has become part of Gen Z vocabulary, often used to praise someone’s appearance or achievements. Many Gen X’ers found it relatable, especially if they were familiar with Beyoncé’s hits.

Serve

Similar to “slay,” “serve” is another compliment for looking great, though many from the older generation had trouble pinning down its meaning.

Rizz

“Rizz,” originally coined by a Twitch streamer, astonished many Gen X participants, despite its simple essence of charisma—often describing a person’s charm, especially among potential romantic interests.

Delulu

“Delulu,” a play on “delusional,” was also a head-scratcher for some Gen X’ers. One mother was amused, recalling “Lovebu,” a popular collectible. “Delulu” is tossed around in relationships when someone might be a bit too caught up in their fantasies.

Results

In the end, Gen X scored 48% overall—better, but still missing out on some slang. Meanwhile, Zoomers received a 41% score, struggling to decode their parents’ slang effectively.