In today’s post, I am diving into the lingo world of middle schoolers. We will explore some of the most popular slang terms that are currently in vogue. Understanding this unique vocabulary can help teachers and parents connect better with middle schoolers, making communication smoother and more engaging.
Middle School Slang
Here’s a list of popular slang terms along with examples to get you started:
GOAT (Greatest of All Time)
- Example: “LeBron James is the GOAT of basketball!”
Salty (Being upset or bitter)
- Example: “He’s salty because he lost the game.”
Lit (Exciting or fun)
- Example: “That party last night was lit!”
Shook (Surprised or shocked)
- Example: “I was shook when I saw my test score.”
Gucci (Good, cool, or going well)
- Example: “Everything’s Gucci with our project.”
Squad (Group of friends)
- Example: “I’m hanging out with my squad after school.”
Savage (Bold or blunt in a cool way)
- Example: “She made a savage comeback in the argument.”
Flex (Show off)
- Example: “He likes to flex his new sneakers.”
Sus (Suspicious or suspect)
- Example: “That excuse he gave for being late is sus.”
Extra (Over the top or dramatic)
- Example: “She’s so extra about her birthday celebrations.”
Woke (Socially aware)
- Example: “He’s really woke about environmental issues.”
Tea (Gossip or juicy information)
- Example: “Do you have any tea about what happened at the party?”
Low-key (Quietly or secretly)
- Example: “I low-key love reading romance novels.”
Mood (Something relatable)
- Example: “Spending the whole weekend in bed is a mood.”
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
- Example: “I went to the event because I had FOMO.”
Bae (Before Anyone Else, significant other or crush)
- Example: “I’m going to the movies with my bae this weekend.”
Slay (Do something exceptionally well)
- Example: “She slayed her performance in the talent show.”
Vibe (Feeling or atmosphere)
- Example: “The beach at sunset has such a chill vibe.”
Clout (Influence or popularity)
- Example: “He’s just hanging out with her for clout.”
Throw shade (Insult or criticize someone subtly)
- Example: “She threw shade at him during the group project.”
Bet (Agreeing or saying yes)
- Example: “You think you can beat me? Bet!”
Thirsty (Desperate, usually for attention or validation)
- Example: “Stop being so thirsty for likes on social media.”
YOLO (You Only Live Once)
- Example: “I’m going to try out for the play. YOLO!”
Sick (Cool or awesome)
- Example: “That skateboard trick you did was sick!”
Bruh (Friend, dude, or expressing disbelief)
- Example: “Bruh, did you see that game last night?”
Fire (Really good or cool)
- Example: “This new song is fire!”
Receipts (Proof or evidence)
- Example: “Show me the receipts of what he said.”
Ghost (To ignore someone, especially on social media)
- Example: “She totally ghosted me after our argument.”
Hype (Excitement or enthusiastic)
- Example: “Everyone was so hype about the new movie release.”
Stan (Overzealous fan)
- Example: “I stan that band so hard; I’ve been to all their concerts.”
Related: 50 Adjectives to Describe Students
Final thoughts
Understanding the slang terms used by middle schoolers can significantly enhance our ability to connect with them. These terms are a reflection of the culture and social dynamics that shape their world. By incorporating this lingo into our conversations, we can bridge the generational gap, showing that we’re tuned into their experiences and perspectives.