Ever read a teen’s text and felt lost? Here’s your ultimate cheat sheet…
Teen texting is like a secret code, and parents are struggling to keep up.
“Teen slang evolves faster than ever, shaped by social media and pop culture,” says linguist Dr. Harper.
Ever stared at a text like “Bet. That’s sus, no cap” and wondered if you missed an entire language course? You’re not alone! Teenagers speak in abbreviations, emojis, and cryptic phrases that change overnight. But here’s the kicker—decoding their slang can actually bring you closer. Get ready to unravel their texts, laugh at the chaos, and maybe even impress your teen with your newfound fluency.
Teen Slang 101 – What Do These Words Really Mean?
So, your teen just texted, “Bet, that’s sus, no cap.” You stare at the screen, baffled. Don’t worry—you’re not alone!
Deciphering teen slang is like cracking a secret code. Here’s your ultimate cheat sheet to help you decode their messages without looking clueless.
Credits to: @EnglishinGeneral
Slang Decoder Table: What Your Teen Really Means
Common Emojis & Their Secret Meanings
🔪 = “Savage” (Someone said something brutally honest.)
💀 = “I’m dead” (Not literally—just means “That was hilarious!”)
👀 = “Spill the tea” (Curious for drama or gossip.)
🔥 = “That’s amazing!” (“That outfit is 🔥.”)
Quick Slang Quiz – Can You Guess the Meaning?
What does this mean?
“That’s mid, IYKYK.”
A) That’s awesome, if you know, you know
B) That’s average, if you know, you know
C) That’s old-fashioned, if you know, you know
(Answer below! 👇)
Real-Life Parent Struggles with Teen Slang
“My teen once texted ‘I’m shook,’ and I thought something terrible happened. Turns out, she was just excited about a sale at Target.”
“I asked my son if he wanted dinner, and he said, ‘Say less.’ I stopped talking. Apparently, it just means ‘Yes.'”
(P.S. The quiz answer is… B! “Mid” means average, not great.)
Fun Quiz – Can You Guess What This Text Means?
Think you’ve got a handle on teen slang? Put your skills to the test!
Take the Quiz!
Real Parent Reactions – Slang Struggles
“I once thought ‘TBH’ meant ‘Too Busy, Honey’… turns out it’s ‘To Be Honest.’ My bad.”
“My daughter texted ‘FR, I can’t’ and I thought she meant ‘French, I can’t.’ I was so confused.”
Bonus Challenge – Decode This Text!
“SMH, my mom was being so sus, so I had to hit her with a ‘bruh’—lowkey, she was kinda shook.”
Funny Memes About Teen Texting
Laughter is the best way to learn! Check out these memes about parents trying (and failing) to decode teen slang.
Funniest Memes About Teen Texting
- Parent Text Fail
Parent: “ I thought ‘WYD’ mean ‘Where You Driving’
Memes below 👇
Copy & paste this text to your teen:
“Hey, I just learned that BRB actually means ‘Big Red Balloon’ and that ‘Cap’ is short for Captain. So cool!”
🚨 WARNING: Their response may include excessive eye-rolling, deep sighs, and a “bruh” text.
Conclusion: Your Turn! Share Your Funniest Teen Text Fails
Ever texted your teen and gotten a “BRUH.” in response? Or thought “LOL” meant Lots of Love? You’re not alone!
Let’s see if you’ve ever fallen into these classic parent texting fails:
Common Parent Texting Mishaps
Parent: “Hey honey, I just learned ‘WAP’ is about weather apps! Cool, right?
Teens Reaction below 👇
Tell us the funniest time you misunderstood a text from your teen. Did they roast you for it? Did it end in total confusion? Share in the comments! 👇