I’ma help you old farts out: GenZ/TikTok slang you should know in 2021

Bet = Yes, indeed. Short for “you bet”.
Example: “Wanna go to Starbucks?” “Bet.”


Capping = Lying. The verb version of cap.
Example: “Stop capping already.”

Finsta = A second, private/secret, more relaxed Instagram account that more or less every social media-active teenager has. They have one ”official” Instagram, that anyone can follow, where they post more seldom, and then the less prestigious finsta where only their close friends follow and where they might post more often and edit less/put a lot less effort into it. Fake + instagram = finsta.

Heather = The perfect girl that everyone either wants or wants to be, inspired by artist Conan Gray’s song “Heather”.

Karen (2021 edition) = A middle aged white woman who acts very entitled, is often racist and anti-vax (vaccinations), gives unsolicited advice from a privileged standpoint and is condescending to everyone around her. Also, everything is an inconvenience to her and she is always complaining about something. Obviously, negative connotation.

Main character = Teenagers are encouraging each other to romanticize and idolize themselves as the main character of their own lives the way we all do with main characters in books, movies and tv series.
Example: “Blasting music and dancing in your bedroom alone gives me such main character vibes.”

Pick me girl = A girl who tries to impress others by being different or quirky. Negative connotation.
Example: “She’s such a pick me girl.”


Rona/Miss Rona = Short for Coronavirus. A less dramatic name to take some of the anxiety out of talking about it.
Example: “I was going to go to a festival this summer, but then, you know, Miss Rona came around.”


Simp = A guy who puts women on pedestals/is overly desperate for their attention. Negative connotation. Can also be used ironically to say that you like a celebrity (or other unattainable person) a lot and would do anything for them.
Example 1: “He’s such a simp, I would never date him.”
Example 2: “I’m simping hard over Ryan Gosling.”

To unalive = As morbid as it is, it means to die, usually by commiting suicide. This started being used as the popular video platform Tiktok has a strict ban on many words, including words surrounding death. Often used in a serious but lighthearted context.
Example: “When I was 14 I tried to unalive.”

(Passing the) vibe check = To vibe check someone is to assess them based on how they seem. Passing the vibe check usually means that you’re a cool, chill person, or just the type of person that the person doing the vibe checking is into.
Example: “That new guy is not passing the vibe check at all. He tried to cut in front of me in the cafeteria line today.”

Bonus Material (Including Emojis)

Now you’ll be able to relate to your kids/grandkids. You’re welcome.