Last week, I dropped my kindergartener off at school. Instead of the usual hug and kiss, she bid goodbye to me with a dab and then threw up the double peace sign. I told her to have a nice day and she said it would be “dime.” In that moment, I wondered if I was raising a 6-year-old or 16-year-old. But more so, I wondered what the heck dime meant!?
So naturally, I consulted with all of the other parents in the drop off line and double checked my findings with Google (apparently, it means the best, on a one to ten rating scale, it is a ten). Nevertheless, no matter how cool of a parent we think we are, we will never fully master the art of being fluent in the ever-changing world of child slang. What was once “dope” and “rad” is now “Gucci” and “extra.” And don’t get me started on terms like “bae” or “on fleek”—just when I learned the meanings, they became “so 2018.”
Here are the definitions to some common child slang words so you can fit right in with the kiddos, until these words become overused and uncool tomorrow:
BOP: A good song, replacing “jam”
BRAH: A term of affection that can be used to describe boys, girls, parents, etc.
CHEDDAR: Money
DIME: The best; on a rating scale, a 10.
EXTRA: Over the top, but not in a good way. Often used to describe someone who is trying too hard.
GOAT: Greatest of all time
GUCCI: Something that’s good
HUNDO P: 100 percent
JOMO: Don’t confuse JOMO with its FOMO opposite. JOMO stands for the joy of missing out (whereas FOMO is the fear of missing out).
LIT: Cool
RATCHET: Someone that’s annoying or rude
RIDES: Sneakers, shoes, kicks – you get the idea
SALTY: To act cranky or upset
SAVAGE: Someone who does something without worrying about the consequences
SHOOK: To feel scared or fearful
SIP TEA: Another way to say “mind your own business”
SHIP: Derivative of relationship; another way to refer to your boyfriend or girlfriend
SPILL TEA: To talk behind someone’s back
SKURT: To leave (not to be confused with last year’s word ‘ghost’)
SNATCHED: The new way to say someone is fashionable or on point
STAN: A super-obsessed celebrity fan
SUH: The new way to say what’s up
TEA: The latest gossip
THROW SHADE: Say something negative about another person
TOPE: Awesome; a mix of the words “totally” and “dope”
WEAK: To be entertained or amused
WIG: What you say when something crazy happens (It originated from the thought of a wig flying off your head)
WOKE: A term used to describe someone who is socially or politically aware
YAS: Yes (said with extreme excitement)
Don’t sip tea! If you have more tope words or phrases to add, let us know in the comments below!
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.