The clue to delulu (and more!)

By: Grace Clarke, Venesa Daswani, and Ayush Madan

Slang evolves uniquely with each generation, reflecting global influences, cultural shifts, and technological advancements. For most generations, slang grew from peer interactions and media. In contrast, with the internet being a fundamental part of daily life, Gen Z and Gen Alpha have cultivated a unique linguistic landscape shaped by the web’s eccentricities. Unlike Millennials, who were introduced to the digital realm a bit later in their childhoods, these newer generations have been immersed in it from day one. This continuous exposure has transformed the way they communicate, creating a vibrant vernacular heavily influenced by the ever-evolving online zeitgeist.

The rapid-fire evolution of online culture means that new words and phrases can emerge overnight, often linked to viral trends or popular personalities. Influencers on platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube play a significant role, their catchphrases quickly adopted and adapted by millions of young followers. Memes, with their layered humour and cultural references, also contribute to this dynamic linguistic tapestry.

Buckle up, as we decode the vibrant, ever-changing world of internet-inspired slang, highlighting the kitschy creativity of these generations.

Ate (verb)
A colloquial expression used to convey admiration and praise for someone who has done something impressive.

E.g. “Girl, can we talk about the Ambani pre-wedding party? Rihanna ate on that stage.”

Aura (noun)
A quantification of someone’s ‘cool’ factor.

E.g. “I don’t know how my parents will feel about me not joining the family business. That’s negative aura for sure.”

Beta (noun)
Not to be confused with the Hindi word beta (child), the term is a pejorative self-identifier, derived from the ethological designation for beta animals, describing someone who prefers others to be in charge and may be shy or lack confidence.

E.g. “Went on a blind date with this guy named Rahul. He didn’t even offer to get the check… ugh, what a beta!”

Chad (adjective)
A pejorative term for young, upper-class, urban males.

E.g. “I’m looking for a guy in finance. Anyone know where all the Chads hang out?”

Delulu (adjective)

A permutation of the word ‘delusional.’

E.g. “Danced with this girl last Friday at Bollywood night. I think she’s totally gonna DM me, but who knows I might just be delulu.”

Fanum tax (verb)
First coined by American streamer Fanum, this internet slang term refers to the act of stealing food from friends.

E.g. “Every time Malika brings her mum’s food into the office, she knows I’m gonna Fanum tax her.”

GOAT (noun/adjective)
An acronym for ‘Greatest-Of-All- Time.’

E.g. “I know Ranveer Singh is eating it up right now, but can we agree that Shah Rukh Khan is the GOAT?”

Gyat (interjection)
A permutation of the term “god damn!”

E.g. “I don’t know about you guys, but that masala dosa had me like Gyat!”

Mew (verb)
Named after orthodontists Mike and John Mew, it is a beauty trend involving a specific tongue position, believed to enhance jawline definition. The term is also used to describe someone attempting to look good.

E.g. “Your jawline looks so defined, beta. Have you been mewing in your sleep?”

Mog (verb)
An acronym for ‘Man-Of-God,’ often used to indicate the act of looking better than someone else.

E.g. “Ugh! I was trying to chat up Disha outside, but was totally mogged by this guy who drove in with a Porsche.”

Ohio (adjective)
Originating from people’s reactions to unusual events in the state of Ohio in the US, where they would often exclaim, “only in Ohio!” The name ‘Ohio’ eventually became synonymous with terms like weird, off-the-wall, or cringy.

E.g. “I don’t know dad, that office was totally Ohio. Something was off, but I can’t tell what.”

Opp (noun)
A permutation of the word ‘opponent’. It is often used to refer to someone perceived as an adversary.

E.g. “I just heard they might be considering Priya for the promotion as well. I guess she’s my opp now.”

Pookie (noun)
An endearing term for someone you love.

E.g. “Hey pookie, wanna go for a lunch date at EmSphere?”

Rizzler (noun)
A suave person who is proficient in romancing, from the word ‘rizz,’ which in turn is short for charisma.

E.g. “I didn’t anticipate Dev to be so charming. He’s got some unexpected rizz.”

Sigma (noun)
A pejorative term for a highly successful and independent person.

E.g. “Son, I know we wanted you to be a doctor, but now that you’ve won your first Oscar for directing, it’s clear you’ve been a sigma all along.”

Skibidi (adjective)
Originally derived from the popular online series Skibidi Toilet, which narrates the adventures of sinister toilet people in their ongoing conflict with digitally-altered men, the term evolved into an adjective used to describe things negatively.

E.g. “I’ve been feeling like the energy in my life is skibidi. Do you think someone is giving me nazar?”

Sus (adjective)

A shortened version of the word ‘suspicious’.

E.g. “Son, you’ve been coming home late almost every night for the past month. It’s beginning to feel sus. Do you have a girlfriend?”

Yappanese (adjective)
A term used to describe the act of being a chatterbox.

E.g. “Beta, I paid so much for your Thai lessons. But all you seem to be fluent in is Yappanese.”