Gen Z Slangs Added to Dictionary
Every new generation puts its stamp on language usage by coming up with its own slang. Members of older generations may find these new terms not only difficult to understand, but utterly baffling. Luckily, Cambridge Dictionary has decided to help. Recently, the venerable British dictionary added 3,200 new words and phrases to its list, and some of them explain slang terms used by members of Gen Z.The ick“The ick” stems from the adjective “icky,” which means nasty or unpleasant. Thus, it refers to a sudden feeling that you dislike someone or something. The slang was reportedly first used in a popular reality show and then its usage spread. An example of it is the sentence, “Pet spiders give me the ick.”Boop“Boop” refers to a gentle hit on someone’s nose or head. The physical gesture is used to show affection or playfulness. An example of its usage would be “She often greets me by giving me a friendly boop on the nose.”Speedrun“Speedrun” is a word that comes from video games, and it refers to completing a computer game in the fastest possible time. The term can also be used in other contexts, as well, to denote an action finished at maximum speed. One way to use it would be to say “I speedran university and got my degree in just three years.”IYKYKCambridge Dictionary’s additions also included some slang used by Gen Z on social media. One example is “IYKYK,” which is the acronym for “if you know, you know.” The abbreviated term can be used in reference to an inside joke that only a few will get. It can also be about a shared interest or a common perspective. For example, you can say “Being the youngest sibling is the worst. IYKYK.”
Questions:
1. What does "the ick" refer to?
2. What does "boop" mean?
3. What is a "speedrun"?
4. What does "IYKYK" stand for?
5. Do you use any slang words?
What are they?
Do you think slang is important? Why or why not?
