Keeping up with middle school slang can be a tad overwhelming—just when you think you’ve got it down, your kid comes home, spouting off new words that seem like utter nonsense. You’re unsure if it’s an insult or a compliment, and if you attempt to ask them to explain, you’ll be laughed out of the room and still have no idea what they’re talking about. We looked to our resident Gen Alpha and Gen Z slang expert, Mr. Lindsay, for intel on the latest phrases middle school kids are using. Some have a positive connotation, and some are most definitely “Ohio,” so keep reading and get informed.
@mr_lindsay_sped Replying to @laurencella What a great opportunity we have as educators and parent to use one of the words our kids are using and leverage it to teach valuable life skills! Every one would benefit from people young and old who are #standingonbusiness and doing exactly what they say they are going to do! Now that you know what it means, how can you leverage this word to connect with your students and teach them valuable life skills? #teachersoftiktok #teacherfyp #teacher #teach #genalpha #middleschoolslang #genz #slang
♬ original sound – Mr. Lindsay
Standing on Business
This phrase is big with Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids. But unlike other slang words, you can benefit from understanding what it means and trying it out on your kids. According to Mr. Lindsay, it describes doing exactly what you said you would do. “You’re not minding anyone’s business but your own. And you have really clear boundaries and expectations for yourself and others. And if you’re not standing on business, it means you’re all talk. You’re wishy-washy,” he says.
He continues by saying this behavior is what he hopes to see in his classroom and that it’s an opportunity to help kids build the skill set they’ll need later in life. We couldn’t agree more.
@mr_lindsay_sped I guess I’m just a typical #millenial put here in my LuLuLemon! 😂 Here is a new one. The middle schoolers are using now: “Thats so _________ coded” Have you heard this one yet? What words are they putting in front of coded for you? tteachersoftiktoktteacherfypsslangggenzmmillenialcodedmmiddleschoolmmiddleschoolersm#middleschoolteacher
♬ original sound – Mr. Lindsay
That’s so [blank] coded.
While this Gen Z slang word isn’t brand-brand new, according to Mr. Lindsay, it’s becoming a more commonplace term for middle schoolers. “My outfit is millennial coded to some of these kids, [which] just means that it’s very typical of a millennial to wear an outfit like this. So they’re using all kinds of things with the word ‘coded’ after to say something insulting in a sly, underhanded, sarcastic way, like, that’s so typical of that group.”
So, parents, if your kid says something like “That’s so soccer mom coded” or “That’s so millennial coded,” it’s an insult, and you have every right to call them on it.
@mr_lindsay_sped Replying to @Z_Russell94 Do you know what #sigma means?! I asked my students and I’m not sure if they do either. As best I can gather, it’s the same thing as “being him”. I LOVE middle schoolers and the chaos of these conversations. 😂 #genalpha #teachersoftiktok #genalphaslang #middleschoolslang #teacherfyp #genz #gyatttttttt #teacher #sigma
♬ original sound – Mr. Lindsay
Sigma
This Gen Z slang word is a way of telling someone they’re so cool. This person has all the rizz. Mr. Lindsay spoke with some of his students to get an accurate definition of the term, and according to them, Sigma is somewhat of a replacement for the term Alpha. So, instead of being the Alpha, you’re now the Sigma. “You’re the baddie, the Alpha, the Sigma, you’re him. You’re all that and a bag of Doritos.” So, if someone tells you that you’re not a Sigma, it means you’re not him, you’re not a baddie, you’re not cool. The kids went on to clarify that while usually used jokingly, it’s also a serious compliment.
@mr_lindsay_sped Replying to @Z_Russell94 Do you know what #sigma means?! I asked my students and I’m not sure if they do either. As best I can gather, it’s the same thing as “being him”. I LOVE middle schoolers and the chaos of these conversations. 😂 #genalpha #teachersoftiktok #genalphaslang #middleschoolslang #teacherfyp #genz #gyatttttttt #teacher #sigma
♬ original sound – Mr. Lindsay
“I got motion” or just “motion”
This one has been around for a while but only recently made its way into TikTok, live streams, and YouTube. It stems from the song “I Got Motion,” which came out at the beginning of 2023, but in early March 2024, live streamers Jinxi and Sketch took it to a whole new level. In a recent podcast episode, Jinxi asked Sketch how long he’s had motion, and Sketch replied: “Since birth.” Someone merged the clip with the song, and it has gone viral.
What does it mean? According to our Gen Z slang expert, Mr. Lindsay, it’s a versatile and fluid word used for various reasons, and different groups of kids might define it differently. The general idea, however, is that if you’ve got motion, you can make things happen and be productive. Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids use it to describe someone who can make money, has major rizz (can flirt), or is an admirable human. Regardless of the context, the assumption is if someone has motion, they’re a good person and doing good things.
@mr_lindsay_sped Replying to @CraftyLadyCreates This one is hot off the press and I guarantee you’re going to be hearing it over the next couple days! #motion #igotmotion This word has been around for a long time, but the livestreamer #jynxzi and #sketch are making it trend. #genalpha #slang #middleschoolslang #teach #teachersoftiktok #teacherfyp
♬ original sound – Mr. Lindsay
Ohio or “Only in Ohio”
This one is a head-scratcher. We know Ohio as the state of Ohio. But this term came from a meme created around 2021 or 2022. During that time, a lot of wild and weird things were happening in Ohio, and the meme represented the idea that crazy, wacky, or cringy stuff happens “only in Ohio.” Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids pulled the word from the meme and redefined it. Now, calling someone “Ohio” or saying “only in Ohio” refers to something being off the wall or just plain cringe.
Skibidi Ohio Rizz
This one is just… whew. We know Skibidi gained traction with the popular YouTube Skibidi Toilet videos, and the word means “something bad.” We know Ohio = cringe or weird. And we know rizz is charisma. Put them all together, and what do you get? Someone whose attempt or ability to flirt or be charming is terrible.
Check out this handy guide to teen slang from We Are Teachers if you’re looking for a bigger list of Gen Z slang words or sign up to get all the updates from Mr. Lindsay himself.
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