It can be difficult for Millennials to be themselves without receiving criticism from Boomers on one side and Gen Z on the other. The generation gap feels strongly about phrases Millennials use that other generations wish they would drop. Here, we take a look at 21 Millennials phrases that make young people cringe.
“On Fleek”
This 2014-era term for something being perfect or stylish has overstayed its welcome for everyone else except Millennials. The term became popular on social media posts and memes, and Millennials’ adoption of It could be seen as an attempt to stay current.
“Adulting”
“Adulting” describes the not-so-glamorous realities of adulthood, such as putting the bins out or being the designated driver. Gen Z finds this term lacking in humor, as it sounds like older people moaning about the things everyone has to do in life at some point.
“Bae”
This shortened term for “babe” was everywhere a few years ago, with this term of affection being written into pop songs and posted all over social media. But while younger generations can let go of a trend quote quickly, Millennials are accused of milking things.
“Lit”
“Lit” exploded in popularity around 2014-2015 and was used extensively to describe anything exciting, good, or intense. The term quickly went out of fashion, but Millennials wanting to impress younger generations have hung on to it despite calls from Gen Z for them to stop.
“Kids Today Don’t Know about This”
One criticism of Millennials is that they often think they are the only people to have experienced something. Saying younger generations don’t know about things is insulting, as they can be diverse in their likes and dislikes. This view is shared by Gen Z teenagers interviewed in Vice recently, who shared their dismay at Millennials, asking, “Why do they have to make everything a trend?”
“Throwback Thursday”
Posting nostalgic content on Thursdays was a cute trend, with people showing pictures from their school days and even creating Spotify playlists to bring back memories. When something blows up, many people can become tired of it, but not if you’re a Millennial.
“Yas Queen”
While the intent of this phrase was meant to empower women, “Yas Queen” now feels inauthentic and performative. Gen Z tries to tell Millennials that true empowerment comes from actions, not phrases.
“Salty”
In 2010, being “salty” meant being upset or bitter, but Gen Z didn’t quite get the hang of it, as they find it melodramatic. If the word is used these days, it is usually by Millennials or people just discovering the term before they realize how cringe it is.
“Ghosting”
Ghosting is the act of abruptly cutting off communication with someone and is well-known among most generations. The term itself is accurate, as one in four people say they have been ghosted after a first date, according to the Thriving Center of Psychology. People’s issue with the word is that it’s overused out of context for a woman who hasn’t had a text from her friend for an hour.
“Friendzone”
This term refers to when someone is relegated to friend status when they really want to be in a romantic relationship. Gen Z thinks it implies that someone is obligated to reciprocate romantic feelings simply because they’re friends with the person who has them.
“Lowkey”
“Lowkey” can be used in both positive ways, as in “lowkey obsessed,” and negative ways, as in “lowkey disappointed.” The double meaning of the term was too confusing for some, who quickly dropped the phrase and simply replaced it with “a bit” or “a little.”
“Netflix and Chill”
This infamous euphemism for a relaxing hook-up while watching a movie was all over social media. The phrase was that popular; even Boomers were using it, but now it is cringeworthy and likely only used by a few uncool Millennials.
“Life Hack”
While practical tips are always welcome, “life hack” is overused. People accuse it of being clickbaity, as it encourages people to watch a video of the next big thing that turns out to be a damp squib.
“Shook”
To say you’re “shook” is to show surprise, often in a sarcastic tone. While Gen Z has moved on to other terms to show how bewildered they are, Millennials are walking around seemingly constantly surprised.
“Squad Goals”
“Squad goals” is a celebratory term for friend groups that achieve something together, such as a basketball team or a team of moms organizing an event. Millennials appear to have a million squads with a million goals, making their actions feel forced and inauthentic.
“This is Giving Me Major Vibes”
Vibes is a term that is commonly used by all generations, yet there is something that Gen Z finds frustrating about Millennials saying, “This is Giving Me Major Vibes.” For some, hearing these words is confusing as they aren’t quite sure if someone has good or bad vibes, which is not honest of them.
“Blessed”
Gratitude is a good thing, but Millennials’ constant use of “blessed” on social media can feel performative. When people constantly post that they are “blessed” on social media, it can make others feel inadequate about the things they aren’t “blessed by.”
“Woke”
Originally used to describe awareness of social justice issues, “woke” is often misused, and its original meaning is lost. The more common use of the term these days is to mock those with progressive values. Conservatives argue that issues such as rights for immigrants and LGBTQ awareness are virtue signaling.
“Can’t Even”
This sarcastic response to something frustrating or overwhelming was once trendy but no longer funny. Millennials who still use the word are mocked for perpetually seeming they can’t cope with anything as they use it so much.
“Yikes for Me”
When someone says, “Yikes for me,” it can often be a disingenuous reaction to something. It is a phrase often used by people when they have said something they shouldn’t have, and they pretend they have told themselves off.
“Sorry, Not Sorry”
This phrase is controversial as it lacks a proper apology and is often said when people feel they need to say sorry but don’t feel any regret for what they’ve done. The phrase became popular in the early 2000s, and, like many things, Millennials cannot let go of it.
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