From LOL to Rizz: How Teen Slang Has Evolved

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When I was in school, the height of online cool was saying “LOL” or maybe “BRB.” If you were on MXit or had a BlackBerry, you probably sent messages like grg (“gotta run, goodbye”) or used abbreviations like ur for “your” and u for “you.” Some of us even threw in TMI (“too much information”) when a friend overshared.

And honestly — seeing my old 2009 Facebook posts pop up on “Memories” now makes me cringe a little. But that’s the beauty of it — every generation’s slang feels perfectly normal at the time and slightly embarrassing later.

Fast forward to 2025, and the slang our learners use sounds like a completely different language. Words like rizz, sus, cap, and no cap bounce around the classroom and online chats. As teachers and parents, it can feel like decoding a secret code — but understanding it helps us connect better with our students and their world.

Why Slang Matters

Slang isn’t just about being trendy. It’s how young people build identity, belong to a group, and express emotions in a way that feels uniquely theirs. It evolves with every generation — ours just happened to be shaped by MXit chatrooms and BBM status updates, while theirs comes from TikTok, memes, and gaming culture.

Being aware of what these words mean doesn’t mean we have to use them, but it helps us understand context, tone, and even signs of teasing or peer pressure.

Then vs. Now: A Quick Comparison

Our Slang Meaning Modern Slang Meaning
LOL           Laugh Out Loud       Rizz              Charisma or charm, especially in flirting
BRB           Be Right Back       Sus               Suspicious or shady
TMI        Too Much      Information                         Cap / No Cap             “Lie” / “No lie”
GRG         Gotta Run, Goodbye Bet              Agreement or “sure thing”
OMG     Oh My Gosh Delulu             Delusional, jokingly unrealistic
YOLO     You Only Live Once Mid             Average or unimpressive
BFF      Best Friends Forever Slay             To do something well or look great
UR / U Short for “your” / “you” GOAT           “Greatest Of All Time” (e.g. “Ronaldo is      the          GOAT!”)

A Few Slang Words You Might Hear in 2025

  • Rizz – Short for “charisma.” If a learner says someone “has rizz,” it means they’re smooth or confident.
  • Cap / No Cap – “Cap” means lying, “no cap” means being truthful.
  • Sus – Short for “suspicious.” Used when something seems off.
  • Mid – Average or unimpressive (“That movie was mid.”).
  • Delulu – Short for “delusional,” often used in a joking way.
  • Bet – Used to agree or confirm something (“You’re coming later?” “Bet.”).
  • GOAT – Acronym for Greatest Of All Time. One of my favourite examples was hearing a Grade 1 proudly say, “Ronaldo is the GOAT!” 🐐
  • Skibidi / Ohio – Meme slang, meaning strange or random depending on the context.

✨ Slang Time Capsule: 2009 vs 2025 ✨

2009 Throwbacks 2025 Versions
“lyk dis 4 a tbh 😅” “No cap, you’re chill 😎”
“hwu?” (“how are you?”) “wyd?” (“what you doing?”)
“2day was hectic lol” “That day was mid 😩”
“gr8 frnds 4eva 💕” “You and your day ones slay 🫶”
“omw lol ttyl” “Bet, see u l8r fr”
“Add me on MXit 📱” “Follow me on TikTok 👀”

Every generation has its version of digital shorthand — from MXit codes and BBM pings to emojis and memes. What seems silly now once felt like the way to belong. And that’s exactly what slang is: belonging through words.

How Teachers and Parents Can Respond

  1. Stay Curious, Not Critical
    Instead of rolling our eyes, ask what a word means — learners often enjoy explaining it!
  2. Recognize Harmless vs. Harmful
    Some slang is lighthearted, but others could be used in teasing or exclusion — context is key.
  3. Connect Through Conversation
    Understanding slang helps open dialogue about online culture, friendships, and how students communicate.
  4. Keep It Authentic
    You don’t have to use slang to be “cool.” Understanding it is enough to stay connected.

Closing Thought

Every generation has its own language. Ours had MXit buzzwords and BBM abbreviations — today’s learners have rizz, GOAT, and no cap. Tomorrow’s will invent new ones. The goal isn’t to keep up with every word, but to keep listening. Because behind every slang term is a young person trying to be heard, understood, and seen.

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