Sure you were cool once but that, according to your teen, was around the time brontosauruses still roamed the earth. Most parents of teenage children will know that communication is tough at the best of times, but if you aren’t even using the same vocabulary, things could be twice as confusing. Here are a few phrases and internet acronyms that should help to level the playing field a little.
Throwing Shade
To speak with a bad attitude, to speak badly of others or to show disrespect to someone. Even a dirty look can be considered ‘throwing shade’.
Lostralia
That mystical place where all lost things go. Apparently only mom knows where lostralia is located and nothing is truly lost until your mom can’t find it.
On Fleek
When something is perfect or working in your favor for example; my hair is on fleek today or the Seahawks were on fleek with that win on Saturday.
Rachet
This term is used to describe someone who is really rude or overtly obnoxious. Talking on a cellphone in a movie theater, for example, can be described as rachet.
Non-versation
A conversation that is one-sided or goes nowhere. No real information is exchanged and it’s just a waste of time. Parents of teens are experts at the non-versation where they ask all sorts of interesting questions to be met with grunts, monosyllabic answers or shrugs.
Catfish
A term used to describe a social media user who poses as someone else. This can also be used as a verb to describe the act of fooling someone online for example: Ben was catfished into going on a date with a girl who turned out to be his girlfriend.
CD 9, PAW or MOS
Code 9, Parents Are Watching or Mom Over Shoulder is a way for kids to alert others that you have entered the room or are now part of their online conversation. When you see your kids typing this, it may be time for a chat.
BAE
Your bestie or the person you put Before Anyone Else. Can refer to a single person or a group (your baes).
MCM and WCW
Man Crush Monday is used as a hashtag (#) when girls are describing the man of their dreams. Women Crush Wednesday is a way for girls to give a little love to those ladies who are a good example to them.
TBT
Throw Back Thursday is a new trend where you would post an old picture of yourself or someone else for a little mid-week walk down memory lane.
Caterday
Posting cute pictures of cats on a Saturday.
TBH
Means To Be Honest and shows that the user is expressing a genuine sentiment.
KOS and S&D
Kill On Sight and Search & Destroy started out as acronyms used in online gaming where players could communicate with each other. Now they can be used as veiled threats by online bullies. If you see this on your child’s message boards, you should investigate further.
Pic by KD Califf
