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 fleak 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
