If you are anything like me, you keep seeing new TikTok slang popping up all over the place. My first devastating thought was, “Wow, I’m old now, I don’t even understand what the kids are talking about these days!” But after extensive research, I am here to tell you that you can understand this new slang too. Here are a few of the ones I hear most, but also a few that I had never seen before.
6…7
Now this one was tough for me, too, at first. It was hard to really nail down the exact answer to what made this joke so funny. My understanding is that it was originally from the song “Doot Doot” by Skrilla. Then picked up by a basketball player, where it has continued to go viral. It was explained to me as the same kind of joke that “21” used to be, which is the best way I have been able to describe it to others. It is a filler that kids use to make a friend laugh or be disruptive in classes.
Looksmaxxing
This one is kind of self-explanatory but a little strange. It is primarily aimed at describing when someone enhances their physical appearance. It also comes in other forms, such as Softmaxxing, where one uses more subtle methods of self-enhancement like whitening strips or gua shas. There is also Hardmaxxing, which is when someone gets surgery to enhance their physical appearance.
Sigma
Before researching, I believed that Sigma was used as a way to describe someone in a negative way. But after combing through several sources, I have learned that it is actually someone who rejects traditional social hierarchies and carries themselves as a lone wolf individual. Kids seem to think that being “Sigma” is about being cool and edgy.
Skibidi Toilet
This one has always been really weird to me. The word originates from a viral Russian song named “Skibidi”. It supposedly represents a strange, chaotic side of internet culture, but I don’t think I will ever be able to join that bandwagon.
Slop
Strangely, I had never heard of this one before researching for this article. Slop is a fairly new term that refers to AI-generated images and content that viewers deem unoriginal or low-quality. It can come in a variety of forms, including essays, images, and art that is AI-generated.