From ‘Slay’ to ‘The Bee’s Knees’: A guide to Gen Z speak

Ever listened to one of your children or grandkids speak and wondered whether they’ve accidentally switched to another language?

One minute they’re telling you something is “fire”. The next they’re doing a “vibe check”, talking about a “glow up”, or declaring someone has “main character energy”.

Before you start reaching for a dictionary, remember this: every generation has had its own strange way of talking. Including us, in the land of over 55s.

The truth is that today’s Gen Z slang isn’t all that different from the colourful expressions many Australians grew up with in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

Back then, people weren’t “slaying”. They were probably “the bee’s knees”.

Nobody had “rizz”, they simply had a bit of charm.

And if someone was acting suspiciously, they weren’t “suss”. They were downright fishy.

So, in the interests of family harmony, we’ve put together a handy translation guide. Disclaimer: Translations may vary according to the decade in which you first said “groovy”. Readers from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s may remember entirely different expressions. No slang terms were harmed during the making of this article.

Gen Z vs Boomer: The unofficial dictionary

SLAY
Meaning: You’ve done something brilliantly.

Boomer translation: “You’re the bee’s knees.”

NO CAP
Meaning: I’m telling the truth.

Boomer translation: “Fair dinkum.”

MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY
Meaning: Someone acting like the star of the show.

Boomer translation: “Centre of attention.”

VIBE CHECK
Meaning: Testing the mood of a situation.

Boomer translation: “Reading the room.”

GLOW UP
Meaning: A dramatic improvement in appearance or confidence.

Boomer translation: “What a makeover!”

SUSS
Meaning: Suspicious.

Boomer translation: “Fishy.”

GHOSTING
Meaning: Suddenly disappearing and ignoring someone.

Boomer translation: “Doing a disappearing act.”

SNACK
Meaning: An attractive person.

Boomer translation: “A real dish.”

EXTRA
Meaning: Over-the-top behaviour.

Boomer translation: “Laying it on thick.”

SIMP
Meaning: Someone trying far too hard to impress another person.

Boomer translation: “Carrying a torch.”

RIZZ
Meaning: Charisma and charm.

Boomer translation: “Smooth operator.”

BET
Meaning: Agreed.

Boomer translation: “You can count on it.”

THIRST TRAP
Meaning: A flattering photo posted to attract attention.

Boomer translation: “A saucy pin-up.”

LIVING RENT-FREE IN MY HEAD
Meaning: Something you can’t stop thinking about.

Boomer translation: “Can’t get it out of my noggin.”

HITS DIFFERENT
Meaning: Something feels especially meaningful.

Boomer translation: “That’s a whole new ball game.”

I’M DEAD
Meaning: That’s hilarious.

Boomer translation: “Cracking up.”

The funny thing? We did exactly the same thing

Every generation thinks the one after it has invented bizarre language.

Our parents raised their eyebrows when we started saying “groovy”, “far out”, “cool”, “ace” and “radical”, and their parents probably thought those expressions sounded ridiculous too.

Language changes, and it always has.

The difference today is that social media can spread a new phrase around the world overnight. But whether you’re saying something is “slay” or “the bee’s knees”, the message hits the same mar,k.

You’re just trying to express yourself in a way that feels uniquely yours. And that’s fair dinkum.