Today was one of those days where I was supposed to do some research for a character I’m developing and well shit…
It didn’t happen because I got sucked into the comment section of some youtube/reddit thread hole.
I’ve popped a few pain pills before writing this cause I’m old so bare (bear?) with me.
I’m the first to raise my hand and say that I love to learn something new about a language and currently I’m teaching myself Bulgarian, cause a friend of mine has gotten me a hand written first edition translation of 1984 by our boy George Orwell.
So cause I’m that type of nerd. I want to be able to read the book cover to cover without smashing the bridge of my nose into a wall.
Anyways. That thread hole I fell into was the type of lingo that the younger kids are using and let me just say this…
I really don’t have the energy to keep up with their bullshit lol.
But like anything it. It was interesting and entertaining.
Now as you know. I’m an ad guy. I do the words thing and so this is useful for me IF I end up writing an advert to sell something to these little tykes and so what I’m gonna share is what I came across today.
You can correct me if I’m wrong. Roll your eyes in amusement or find the next rocket that will be directly aimed to the centre of the Sun.
Either way. This was the most entertaining thing I’ve come across today and once you read this, you will see it in comment sections, reviews and day to day social media posts. You will laugh. You will cry and then you’ll be wishing that actual English be taught in modern day concentration camps…
Cause it’s gonna happen…
Here’s the list of current viral slang and phrases you might want to keep an eye on.
(It’s gonna get worse but hey. The beauty of English innit?)
Base/Based: Something that’s authentic or good.
No cap – No lie : Being honest.
Fr fr: For real, for real.
Bussin: Really good/amazing.
Rizz: Charisma/charm, especially with romantic interests.
Slay: Doing something excellently.
Mid: Mediocre/not impressive.
L + Ratio: An insult meaning someone failed + got more negative responses.
Skibidi: A nonsense term that gained viral status and will give you mild brain damage if you try and say it out loud.
Real/Unreal :Used to emphasise authenticity or disbelief.
Lowkey/Highkey: Somewhat/very much.
It’s giving… : Resembles or reminds of something.
Iykyk: If you know, you know.
Living rent free: Something you can’t stop thinking about.
Tea: Gossip/drama.
Main character energy: Being the center of attention.
Core: Used as a suffix to describe an aesthetic (cottagecore, dreamcore)
Hits different: Exceptionally good.
Ate: Did extremely well.
NPC: Someone who acts predictably/without original thought.
And in closing;
Fr fr, this is why daily emails are bussin’ and here’s the tea…
If you’re not writing daily, you’re being mid and giving major NPC energy. Like, the fact that I fell into a reddit hole today while trying to research? UNREAL. But lowkey, that’s exactly why we need to keep our writing skills sharp.
No cap, writing daily emails hits different. It’s giving main character energy and lets you stay based with your audience. Whether you’re studying Bulgarian (weird flex but slay) or diving into zoomer linguistics like your boy here…
Every experience is content that lives rent free in your reader’s minds.
And here’s the rizz of it all…
The more you write, the more you can connect with ANY audience. Even if their lingo has you feeling straight up ancient (iykyk)
So keep writing those daily emails. Your future self will look back and say “that ate” instead of wondering why you didn’t start sooner.
And if you’re not writing daily yet? That’s an L + ratio moment you don’t want.
Catch you in the inbox tomorrow (if these pain pills don’t send me to the shadow realm first),
Stephen Walker
And if you want to dive deep check out this gen-z survival guide with more gems inside…
P.S. If this email was too cringe, blame it on the pills. If it was fire, I totally meant to do that. Skibidi.
P.P.S. I will never write something as silly like this again (J/k I totally will. Okay bye.)