Why Gen Alpha Slang Feels So Confusing
If you’ve ever overheard kids born after 2010 talking, you might have felt like they’re speaking an entirely new language. This is the world of Gen Alpha slang—the constantly evolving internet-born expressions that flood TikTok, Roblox, Discord, and YouTube comments.
Gen Alpha, the generation after Gen Z, is growing up with instant access to social media, memes, and AI tools. They’ve created a fresh set of slang words that even their older siblings sometimes struggle to understand. Parents, teachers, and millennials often find themselves Googling: “What does this Gen Alpha slang word mean?”
In this blog, we’ll break down the 5 most confusing Gen Alpha slang words, explain what they actually mean, and show examples of how kids use them. This Gen Alpha slang list is your crash course to keep up.
1. “Rizz” – The Internet’s Favorite Buzzword
If there’s one Gen Alpha slang word that dominates 2024, it’s rizz. The word exploded on TikTok and YouTube Shorts and has quickly become part of everyday conversations.
- Meaning: Rizz means charisma or the ability to attract people, especially in a flirty way.
- Origin: It started in 2021 when YouTuber Kai Cenat popularized it.
- Example: “Bro has insane rizz—he pulled her number in five minutes.”
What makes “rizz” confusing is how flexible it is. It can be a compliment (“good rizz”), a roast (“no rizz”), or even turned into a verb (“rizzing someone up”).
| Variation | Meaning | Example |
| W Rizz | Winning charisma | “He’s smooth, that’s W rizz.” |
| L Rizz | Failure at flirting | “She curved him, that’s L rizz.” |
| Rizz God | Someone extremely charming | “He’s basically the rizz god.” |
So if you hear your kid shouting “W Rizz!” on Fortnite voice chat, now you know it’s not an insult—it’s praise.
2. “Fanum Tax” – The Weirdest Inside Joke
This one comes straight from Twitch and YouTube streaming culture. Fanum Tax is a slang word Gen Alpha uses when someone “taxes” you by taking your food or belongings.
- Meaning: When a friend takes a bite of your food without asking.
- Origin: Coined by streamer Fanum from the AMP group.
- Example: “Bro took my fries—Fanum tax!”
The funny part is that Gen Alpha kids use this term even in real life at school cafeterias. It has turned into a running joke that confuses parents because it sounds like a financial term.
3. “Skibidi” – The Meme That Makes No Sense
If you’ve heard kids repeating “skibidi” over and over again, you’re not alone. This word comes from the viral Skibidi Toilet meme series on YouTube, which has millions of young fans.
- Meaning: Honestly… nothing. It’s a nonsense word used for fun.
- Origin: The word “skibidi” comes from a 2018 Russian dance track by Little Big, but Gen Alpha picked it up from the Skibidi Toilet meme series in 2023.
- Example: “Skibidi bop yes yes yes.”
The confusing part is that kids throw this word into conversations randomly, almost like an inside joke. For adults, it feels like gibberish. For Gen Alpha, it’s peak comedy.
4. “Gyatt” – A Word Parents Misunderstand
At first glance, gyatt doesn’t look like a word at all. That’s because it’s internet shorthand.
- Meaning: Slang for “gosh darn” or expressing surprise, often used when reacting to someone’s appearance.
- Origin: Popularized by streamer YourRAGE, who exaggerated the word “goddamn” into “gyatt.”
- Example: “Gyatt, she looks amazing!”
Gen Alpha mostly uses this word online when commenting on TikTok videos or in gaming chats. It can look offensive at first glance, but most of the time it’s just an exaggerated reaction.
5. “Ohio” – The Meme State
You’ve probably heard kids making jokes about Ohio, even if you don’t live anywhere near it. But in Gen Alpha slang, Ohio isn’t about geography.
- Meaning: Used as a meme to describe something weird, cursed, or unusual.
- Origin: TikTok and meme culture turned Ohio into a joke state around 2022.
- Example: “That math test was straight out of Ohio.”
Ohio memes often come with strange images or distorted videos labeled “Only in Ohio.” The joke has no logical meaning, but kids love using it as a universal punchline.
Why Gen Alpha Slang Changes So Fast
One reason Gen Alpha slang words feel confusing is because their culture is hyper-online. They don’t just consume content—they remix it. A meme from Twitch can become TikTok slang within days. A YouTube joke can turn into a Roblox reference.
Unlike older generations, Gen Alpha’s slang isn’t built on decades—it shifts monthly. That’s why keeping up feels impossible unless you live in their online spaces.
Gen Alpha Slang List: Quick Reference
Here’s a table you can use as a cheat sheet for the 5 confusing slang words:
| Slang Word | Meaning | Where It’s Used |
| Rizz | Charisma, charm | TikTok, gaming, YouTube |
| Fanum Tax | Taking food without asking | Twitch, real life |
| Skibidi | Random nonsense meme | YouTube, TikTok |
| Gyatt | Exaggerated surprise | TikTok, Discord |
| Ohio | Weird, cursed things | Meme culture |
FAQs
Q1: What is Gen Alpha slang?
Gen Alpha slang is a set of internet-born words and phrases created by kids born after 2010. Most of it spreads through TikTok, Roblox, and YouTube.
Q2: Why does Gen Alpha slang sound confusing?
Because it often comes from memes, Twitch streams, or nonsense jokes. It spreads fast online, so older generations miss the context.
Q3: Is “rizz” an appropriate word for kids to use?
Yes, it usually just means charm or charisma. It can be flirty, but most kids use it jokingly.
Q4: Do adults need to use Gen Alpha slang?
Not really, but understanding it can help parents and teachers connect with kids and avoid confusion.
Q5: Where can I find a full Gen Alpha slang words list?
You can check Urban Dictionary, TikTok trend reports, or keep an eye on YouTube streamers. Slang lists update monthly because the words change so fast.
Conclusion
Gen Alpha slang is confusing at first, but once you break it down, it becomes fun to follow. Words like rizz, gyatt, and Fanum Tax might seem strange, but they’re part of how kids bond online.
If you want to keep up with your kids, students, or younger siblings, knowing the basics of the Gen Alpha slang list is the first step. Just remember—by the time you master these five words, a brand-new slang word is probably already trending.