"Skibidi" What? A Dictionary for Your Kids' Slang so You Can Speak the Same Language

Hello, hello! Nora here - I run the PTAC’s teen advisory group, the Sandbox.

As a younger member of Gen Z, I’m surrounded by a lot of the slang that Gen Alpha has coined. Their lingo can be, let’s say, a little “out there.” I’m sure you’re surprised when you hear your kids saying words like “sus,” “skibidi,” and “big-back” at the dinner table. You’re not alone if you’re confused!

These phrases originated on platforms like Tiktok as jokes and quips. But now, the language has migrated into everyday conversation. Some call this “brainrot.” What was once a meme, is now a word or phrase used in everyday life, practically set to be introduced to the Merriam Webster dictionary.

But have no fear, I’m here to break down this slang so you can follow your kids’ conversations.

The Slang: What Do Your Kids Mean When They Say “Rizz?”

Decode your kids’ vocabulary with this slang dictionary:

1. “Skibidi Toilet”: This comes from a viral meme video series involving toilet-head people, and yes, it’s just as strange as it sounds. Often, kids will use “skibidi” along with several other slang words, something like “Skibidi Toilet Rizz!” in any situation that you adults might use “wow.”

2. “Only in Ohio”: The phrase is used to describe anything weird or bizarre, based on the idea that strange things only happen in Ohio. If someone were to do something out of the ordinary, such as breakdance on the sidewalk, someone might respond “what in the Ohio?” You can also see below for an email a friend sent in which she used the phrase “in Ohio” to describe an artist with no talent.

3. “Sus”: Popularized by the game Among Us, this term is short for suspicious. If I was acting like I was keeping a secret, a friend could say “You’re acting sus.”

4. “Rizz”: A term for someone’s charisma or charm, it might be used to describe someone’s ability to flirt. If a teen was flirting with someone, they might jokingly tell their friend that they’re a “rizzler.”

5. “Big-Back”: The phrase is typically used to describe someone after eating a lot of food. After eating a large meal, someone could say “that was big-back behavior.”

6. “Alpha, Sigma, Beta”: These are personality type labels—“alpha” being the leader, “beta” the follower, and “sigma” a lone wolf. If someone is able to persuade their friends to go to their choice of lunch spot, a person might say “that’s so alpha.”

It Might Sound Weird, But This Slang Makes You Relatable

While these words might sound like nonsense, they’re part of how my generation relates to each other and the culture we’re growing up in. Using this slang is a way for tweens and teens to feel “in the know” with internet culture—if you understand the slang, you’re part of the group.

It’s worth remembering that each generation has its own slang. This just happens to be our version of it, influenced by social media and memes instead of movies or music. Use this guide to follow along!