(NEXSTAR) – Need a little help understanding the Gen Alpha kids? You’re not alone, according to a new ranking of the most Googled slang words of 2024.
Our lexicon is constantly growing – Merriam Webster added 200 new words this year alone – with some already-existing words such as demure and sigma, for instance, taking on new slang meanings.
But why do we feel the need to create new words with so many existing options?
The addition of slang words each year is a natural part of a language’s development over time, Adam Cooper, a linguistics professor at Northeastern University in Boston, told Nexstar in an email.
“Technologies change, cultural priorities shift, speakers of different languages interact with each other – these are just a few of the factors that can lead to the introduction of new words, which in turn allow a language to remain relevant and useful in its broader context,” according to Cooper.
Slang is also proof that language is not always just about communication, Cooper said:
Speakers may coin new expressions (or repurpose established ones) to inject a degree of informality – even playfulness – into their conversations; but what they’re also doing when they use such expressions is reinforcing their sense of identity and belonging to a particular social group, and pushing back against established authority (hence the typical association of slang with younger generations of speakers, who tend to be outside of positions of power within society).
When it comes to the shelf life of popular slang terms Cooper foresees the shiny newness wearing off just as it has for “groovy,” “rad” and “tickety-boo” (primed for a comeback after a century?).
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Internet has a hand in facilitating the expiration date (to extend the metaphor of shelf life) of certain slang terms – as awareness of slang terms increases and extends to those outside of the groups that use them – a trajectory hastened by the easy means of communication across the globe afforded by the Internet – they may lose their potency, and in turn new slang terms may be coined to replace them (and so the cycle begins ane
It’s anyone’s guess how long people will continue to say “skibidi” and “preen,” but in 2024 they are both in the Top 10 most searched slang words according Unscramblerer:
- Demure – 260,000
- Sigma – 220,000
- Skibidi – 205,000
- Hawk tuah – 180,000
- Sobriquet – 105,000
- Shmaltz – 65,000
- Sen – 50,000
- Katz – 34,000
- Oeuvre – 25,000
- Preen – 20,000
Demure
Demure, the most searched for word on the list, is defined as “reserved, modest and shy.” The word now enjoys an expanded meaning, however, thanks to popular TikTok user Jools Lebron, who used it in a number of viral videos in various contexts, from applying makeup, behaving at work, showing up early to the airport before a vacation and more.
Sigma
“Sigma,” second on the list, does not mean the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet. Today, the word is used to describe an alpha male or macho dude.
British GQ traced the term’s origins back to the so-called “manosphere,” a collection of online forums for misogynistic beliefs: “Sigma grindset merges this existing extremist thinking with posts about grind culture motivation, internet nihilism and workout content, creating a fusion of subcultures.”
Skibidi
“Skibidi,” pronounced like “skippity,” has no inherent meaning. It can be used as a wacky adjective to mean cool, bad or dumb, depending on the context, according to Urban Dictionary.
It can also be used as a way to start a joking conversation in reference to absurd slang culture.
The term is derived from a song used in the viral Skibidi Toilet YouTube Shorts series by Alexey Gerasimov; a single video in the series has over 201 million views.
The #Skibidi hashtag on TikTok has over 670,000 posts and a version of the meme was referenced by Stephen Colbert on the Late show in May.
Hawk Tuah
The phrase dates back to a June 2024 street interview with 21-year-old Tennessee woman Haliey Welch, who imitated the sound of spitting, “hawk tuah,” while describing a risque act.
It’s not clear how often people will be able to use “hawk tuah” in daily conversation, but the viral moment rocketed Welch to internet stardom and firmly planted the expression in slang dictionaries.
Sobriquet
Some may find sobriquet more decipherable – especially if they speak French.
Sobriquet is essentially a nickname or descriptive name that can be given to a person or thing.
Schmaltz
While it can mean literal liquid animal fat, often from a chicken, schmaltz is used figuratively for anything perceived to have too much sentimentality or melodrama.
According to Unscramblerer, common uses refer to art, movies, music or storytelling.
Sen
The site defines “sen” as slang for one’s self.
Katz
Katz can be used to describe anything that is enjoyable, fun or pleasing, according to the Urban Dictionary. It can also be used in place of “yes.”
Oeuvre
Oeuvre “refers to the complete works produced by an artist, writer or composer,” according to Unscramblerer. “A word used by literature professors to express superiority.”
Preen
A preen is a child under the age of 13 who tries to dress or act like a teenager, according to the Urban Dictionary.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.