A millennial mom’s hilarious attempt to understand her 10-year-old daughter’s Generation Alpha slang has gone viral. Jennifer Maxwell, a North Carolina native, recorded a TikTok video featuring her daughter testing her on several different slang terms. The video now has over 9.6 million views and 371.2k likes, capturing the humorous generational gap in language.
The Slang Test Begins
Maxwell’s daughter kicked off the challenge with the word “Sigma.” Maxwell recognized its Greek roots but struggled to grasp its modern meaning. Her daughter clarified that “Sigma” refers to being the best, similar to an “Alpha.” Maxwell affectionately replied that the term suited her daughter perfectly.
The second term, “Rizz,” was more familiar to the mom. She correctly identified it as an abbreviation for charisma. When her daughter asked for the meaning of charisma, Maxwell amusingly described it as being cool or a smooth talker.
Decoding The Unfamiliar
Next up was “Rizzlers,” which left Maxwell perplexed. She guessed it referred to a team of charismatic individuals. Close enough – her daughter explained that “Rizzlers” means people with optimum rizz or charm. Despite Maxwell’s efforts, she admitted defeat, comically pleading for half a point.
The term “Ohio” was even more baffling. The millennial mother associated it with the state and sports. Her daughter revealed it was actually an insult meaning someone is dumb or weird. Maxwell was visibly shocked, questioning the origin of such an insult.
Meme Culture And Beyond
The slang term “Skibbidy” or “Skibbidy toilet” was next. Maxwell guessed it meant something doubly bad. Her daughter explained it originated from a meme involving a head coming out of a toilet and was now used to describe someone as weird. She also mentioned that combining it with other terms like “Ohio” intensifies the insult.
“Mewing” was another term Maxwell was unfamiliar with, although she had unknowingly observed her children making a related hand gesture. Her daughter helpfully clarified that it meant working on perfecting one’s jawline, leaving the mom concerned about the implications of the term.
Concluding The Challenge
The final term, “Chad Alpha,” stumped Maxwell. Drawing from some Taylor Swift lyrics, she assumed Chads were bad. Her daughter corrected her, explaining that a Chad is the leader or the best person. Out of respect for their favorite pop star, Maxwell humorously demanded her daughter drop the slang term.
The duo’s video concluded with Maxwell’s daughter triumphantly victorious. Many commenters shared their own struggles with understanding their children’s slang, highlighting the ever-evolving nature of language.
The lighthearted challenge not only entertained viewers, but also showcased the amusing generational gap in language, demonstrating how every new generation brings its own unique vernacular to the table.
References:
Newsweek: 10-Year-Old Tries To Explain Gen Alpha Slang to Millennial Mom
Jennifer Maxwell (@splendidlysmittenjen) on TikTok
The Wildcat Tribune: A comprehensive guide to Gen Alpha slang