Must-Know Gen Alpha Slang

Language moves fast online, but it sometimes feels as if Gen Alpha moves faster.

Born from 2010 onwards, they are the first generation raised entirely in a digital world. Smartphones, streaming, short-form video. None of this was new to them. Instead, almost the digital manifestation of the air they breathe.

Unsurprisingly, their slang reflects that. It’s chaotic, meme-driven, often absurd, and constantly evolving. But it’s also clever and deeply social, often loaded with in-jokes built within their online communities. 

There’s nothing like reminding yourself of your own mortality than by immersing oneself in the internet language of those that are two decades younger. And my biggest takeaway from this research was that its use alone does not make you sound younger. What I tell myself is that at least it might help me listen better. And as a digital marketer that is a valuable skill and asset in itself.  

Much like the slang used by Gen Z, Gen Alpha is born in the wild: inside meme edits, chaotic gameplay streams, viral soundbites and out-of-context TikTok clips. One phrase in a seven-second video can spark a global in-joke by the end of the day.

The platforms matter. TikTok and YouTube Shorts are the main breeding grounds. Roblox, Minecraft and Discord give it shape through shared gameplay and chat. Twitch streams add fuel, especially when a creator coins something mid-sentence and their chat turns it into a catchphrase.

From there, it spreads. Not just screen to screen, but person to person. Into school corridors, group chats, and playgrounds. It becomes a shorthand for connection and a fast way to say “I get it” without over-explaining.

The line between digital and real life? For Gen Alpha, it barely exists. Their language reflects that. It’s fluid, referential, and always one step ahead of the algorithm. To understand their slang is to glimpse how Gen Alpha sees the world: highly social, somewhat surreal, and where the boundaries of digital and real world experiences are increasingly blurred and less distinct.

Here are the must-knows. 

Rizz

Charisma. Presence. If someone has rizz, they know how to charm. Oxford even made it Word of the Year in 2023.

Rizzler

Someone with top-tier rizz. Confident, cool, unflappable.

Fanum Tax

When someone takes your food without asking. The term comes from streamer Fanum and is usually said with a grin. “He took the Fanum tax from my chips.”

Gyatt

An exaggerated reaction to someone’s appearance, usually out of admiration. Often shouted for effect. “GYATT!”

Skibidi

Originally from the viral Skibidi Toilet series on TikTok. Now used to describe anything chaotic, surreal or just plain weird. “That maths lesson was full-on skibidi.”

Sigma

Describes someone who does their own thing. Detached. Self-reliant. Often used ironically, but rooted in the old “sigma male” meme.

Delulu

Short for “delusional.” Said with self-awareness. “I think they looked at me twice... maybe I’m being a bit delulu.”

Ohio

Used to describe cursed, strange or unexplainable things. Born from memes suggesting Ohio is the epicentre of all weirdness. “This energy is straight out of Ohio.”

Let Him Cook

Let someone continue what they’re doing, even if it seems odd. There’s a chance it’s genius. “It looks chaotic, but let him cook.”

Mewing

A TikTok-born technique involving tongue posture, supposedly to sharpen your jawline. It’s part of Gen Alpha’s fascination with transformation and aesthetics.

Chicken Jockey

A Minecraft mob that’s become slang for bizarre combinations. “That outfit is giving chicken jockey.”

Brainrot

Describes overstimulating, low-effort or ridiculous content. But in a good way. “I’ve got brainrot from scrolling edits for an hour.”

Slang has always been a marker of identity. Every generation has used language to signal who they are, what they value, and who’s in or out of the loop. But for Gen Alpha, the landscape is different. Their slang isn’t passed down through subcultures or cliques, but shaped by algorithms, creators and global platforms. It moves at the pace of a swipe, often emerging from seven-second edits or stream-of-consciousness voiceovers. What starts as a soundbite or a meme can morph into social currency overnight.

That doesn’t mean you need to start using it. However, if your work touches culture, communication, or audience insight, it’s worth paying attention. 

Aside from attempting to adopt the language, perhaps marketers should go back to first principles and keep the following questions at the forefront of their minds.What does Gen Alpha slang tell us about this generation’s relationship with the world? How does this slang help us better understand how they want the world to relate to them? 

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