This month, I’ve decided to put myself to use. After all, that’s what I’m here for, right? So you can learn from and see things from a young person’s viewpoint? So this month, I’ve concocted a list of all the lingo us teens are using. I hope you enjoy seeing into my and my peers’ minds; use at your own risk!

no-scope (v.): to make a particularly hurtful jab at someone

Example: Ryan just big time no-scoped his friend for his ugly haircut!

high-key (adj.): many people use this in a superlative context, or to accentuate their excitement

Example: I’m high-key excited for prom.

low-key (adj.): as the opposite of high-key, this phrase is often used to denote a guilty pleasure or a fact contrary to popular belief; similar to “kind of”

Example: I’m actually low-key excited for the second season of “Outer Banks.”

yeet (v.): to throw something with excessive force; often used as an onomatopoeia

Example: Sam just yeeted a pencil at his friend.

swag (excl.): this word is used as a reaction word, the same way “cool” is used

Example: Person A: Taylor Swift just released a new album. Person B: Oh, swag.

drip (n.): this refers to style, specifically to expensive and gaudy clothing

Example: She’s in head-to-toe Gucci — she’s got some drip.

flex (v.): to show off

Example: They got new Airpods for Christmas, and they wear them everywhere to flex.

icy (adj.): an outfit with lots of jewelry and/or jewels

Example: Dababy’s outfit at the Grammys was so icy, dude.

skrrt (v.): to leave quickly

Example: Whoa, it’s already 10 o’clock? Time to skrrt skrrt out of here.

ghost (v.): to stop all communication with someone

Example: I thought she was going to ask me out, but she ghosted me, and I haven’t heard from her since.

tea (n.): gossip

Example: Tell me all the tea about their breakup.

extra (adj.): unnecessarily extravagant

Example: His shoes have three different patterns and light up on the bottom. He’s so extra.

shook (adj.): surprised or shaken up

Example: When the soft-spoken Mrs. Barger yelled at the annoying student, I was shook.

basic (adj.): someone who follows all the trends

Example: He just took a picture of his Starbucks — he’s basic.

salty (adj.): upset about something that was intended as a joke or in good fun

Example: Ryan just no-scoped him, and he got salty.

woke (adj.): socially and politically aware

Example: I thought Old Man McGugket was out of it, but he’s actually pretty woke.

no cap (excl.): typically used to mean “I can’t even lie”

Example: That song is so good, no cap.

slaps (v.): used to describe music that is really good

Example: Meghan Thee Stallion’s new song slaps.

throwing shade (v.): to express that someone is speaking poorly about someone else

Example: Elena was throwing shade after she and her best friend got into a fight.

sus (adj.): to describe someone as lying

Example: He said he was telling the truth, but did you see him blush? He was being mad sus.

Best of luck using these out in the real world! I hope you get to flex your newfound understanding of today’s slang soon. It’s lowkey easy to throw these words around, and I just know you’re going to be great at it, no cap.

Greta Ripperda is a senior at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. She is the firstborn of four and enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with family and making music.