Brainrot Slang: Understanding Words and Phrases of Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Spend a few minutes on TikTok or YouTube Shorts, and you might feel like you’ve entered another dimension. One where nonsense words like “skibidi,” “rizz,” and “sigma” are tossed around like they’re perfectly normal English words. 

Welcome to the world of brainrot slang! This chaotic, ever-evolving digital dialect was born from the meme culture and the hyper-digital lives of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

In this article, we’ll decode what brainrot is, the most popular brainrot slang meanings, and show you how to use brainrot slang naturally, so you can finally keep up with kids.

The origin of brainrot 

Brainrot, or is it brain rot? And is it some kind of disease you should be worried about? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. 

Let’s start with the basics. Brain rot (or brainrot) isn’t a medical condition. It's a viral slang term that’s taken over the internet and was even voted as the 2024 Oxford word of the year.

But what does it mean? And where has it come from? Read on to find out. 

The beginning

It might surprise you that “brain rot” is not a modern invention. The phrase dates back to 1854, when Henry David Thoreau used it in his book Walden. Thoreau used the term to criticize what he felt was society’s preference to value simple ideas over complex ones, and felt it was an indication of the general decline in the general public’s mental and intellectual efforts. 

Before the memes 

Before it became internet slang, “brain rot” was used by parents, teachers, and older generations to describe content that they perceived as intellectually unstimulating. Think reality TV, video games, and trashy talk shows that would “rot your brain.” 

Internet humor takes over 

As meme culture exploded and social media evolved, the phrase took on a new life online. Reddit, Tumblr, and early TikTok users began using “brainrot” as a tongue-in-cheek way of describing their own scrolling habits, not as a warning but as a punchline. A way to describe that feeling of your brain turning to mush after endlessly doomscrolling and watching short, mentally unstimulating videos. 

Brainrot goes viral (2021-2023)

When platforms like TikTok and Discord exploded on the scene, the use of brainrot skyrocketed. The hyper-digital Gen Z and Gen Alpha began creating and consuming nonsensical, fast-paced, short-form videos, and “brainrot” evolved to describe:

• The state of mind after bingeing on content. For example: “This video gave me brainrot and I loved it.”
• A genre of absurd, nonsensical humor that thrives on randomness. For example, Italian brainrot.
• A type of slang that often makes no sense but is instantly recognizable to those “in the know.” For example, “Skibidi,” “rizz,” and “Ohio.”

Today (2025)

“Brain rot” has become more than just a phrase; it’s become a culture, a vibe, and a language. Whether it’s the way people talk or the content they consume, brainrot reflects a cultural shift in how the younger generations communicate and the online identities they’re forming. 

Ever-evolving, this kind of ironic, often self-deprecating humor doesn’t always make sense, but for the younger generations, it doesn’t have to. 

What is brainrot slang? Brainrot slang definition

Brainrot slang is a subtype of brainrot and refers to the chaotic language born from meme culture and launched into viral stardom on platforms like TikTok. It’s fast-moving, ever-changing, often absurd, and frequently leaves older generations scratching their heads. And that’s the point.

Brainrot slang often makes little sense to those not in the know. It’s ironic, layered, and often deliberately nonsensical. But it goes far deeper than just a bunch of absurd words. While it may sound like gibberish to most of us, to those in the know it’s a shared language, a culture, and an identity. 

5

Slang vs. brainrot slang

Slang exists in every language, and some form of it has likely always been around. Each country tends to have its own unique set of slang terms; for example, in British slang, being “pissed” means drunk, while in American slang, it means you’re angry.  

Sometimes these overlap, especially between countries with strong ties; for example, Australian slang uses many of the same terms as both English and American slang, although words like “bogan” are unique to themselves.

Traditional slang has constantly evolved over time, but brainrot slang is evolving at lightning speed. A word or phrase can go viral overnight, flood TikTok comment sections, and then vanish just as quickly. What's trending today might feel ancient next week.

Who’s using brainrot slang? 

If you spend any time online, especially in social media or in gaming spaces, you’ve almost certainly encountered brainrot slang in one form or another. But who is behind its rapid rise? Let’s take a closer look at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the generations driving this digital dialect.

Gen Z (also known as zoomers) is generally considered to be anyone born between the years 1997 and the early 2010s. While the eldest of that group are now approaching 30, the youngest have just entered their teenage years. 

Gen Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024, is also a driving force behind brainrot slang and culture. While the youngest might still be toddling around in diapers, the older ones are currently tweens, a group well-known for their digital presence. 

Why Learn Brainrot Slang Words?

Maybe you are a parent of a tween or teen and are tired of not being able to understand what they’re saying, or perhaps you’re learning English as a foreign language, and while you’re nailing verb conjugations, you can’t quite seem to understand American TikTok. 

Brainrot slang can sometimes feel like it moves at the speed of light. Just when you’ve wrapped your head around a handful of words, they vanish into the digital void, only to be replaced by a fresh batch of equally bizarre and nonsensical words. And yet, everyone else appears to know exactly what they mean.

That’s why we’ve put together this A-Z glossary of Brainrot slang meanings. It might be outdated in a matter of months (or weeks!), but for now, it should help you make sense of what all those memes and phrases actually mean.

Gen Z Brainrot Slang List: A-to-Z Slang Glossary

A

Aura farming: Refers to someone constantly trying to look cool or build “aura moments”.  

• Origin: Derived from brainrot slang “aura,” which refers to someone’s vibe or energy. 
• Context: Can be used negatively to call people out or positively when trying to emulate someone else’s positive aura.
• Example: “Did you see the video of the kid dancing on the front of the boat? He’s the ultimate aura farmer.”

B

Beige flag: A quirk in someone’s personality that’s neither positive nor negative but still gives you pause.

• Origin: TikTok, 2023.
• Context: Meant as funny or self-depreciating, not negative like ‘red flags’.
• Example: “His beige flag is that he claps when the plane lands.”

Bussin: Really good, usually in reference to food.

• Origin: Popularized in 2020 by the “gripping food with force” trend.
• Context: Can be used genuinely or ironically. 
• Example: “This sushi is bussin”

Brat: A girl enjoying life to the max, speaking their mind, or having a demanding or playfully difficult attitude.

• Origin: Popularized by Charlie XCX’s new album
• Context: Usually used in a positive context to highlight confidence, boldness, or rebelliousness.
• Example: “She’s giving brat energy today.”

C

Cap (no cap): “Cap” = lie, “No cap” = telling the truth.

• Origin: popularized in 2017 in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, but has been used in rap music since the mid-1980s.
• Context: Used to reinforce that you are not lying or being in disbelief, like saying “no way.”
• Example: “That fit is fire, no cap.”

D

Delulu: Slang for “delusional” used playfully to justify

• Origin: Shortened from delusional on Stan Twitter and K-pop fan spaces.
• Context: Usually used as a jokey description of yourself.
• Example: “We made eye contact, so that means we’re basically dating. I’m delulu.”

E

Eboy/Egirl:  A subcultural ‘look’ that blends emo, alt, and anime fashion.

• Origin: Evolved from emo and scene subcultures, popularized via early TikTok.
• Context: A visual identity rather than just a personality; associated with alternative fashion, exaggerated poses, and curated edginess.
• Example: “He’s a total Eboy. Black nail polish, chains, and TikTok thirst traps.”

G

Gyatt: A loud, exaggerated exclamation meaning “goddamn” or used to refer to a person’s posterior.

• Origin: Popularized by Twitch streamers YourRage and Kai Cenat.
• Context: Used humorously.
• Example: “GYATT, did you see that girl walk by?”

Goblin mode: Indulging in messy, lazy behavior without shame.

• Origin: Exploded in the early 2020s and became the Oxford Word of the Year 2022.
• Context: Used without shame and even as a form of self-care, where you shake off societal norms about how you look.
• Example: “I haven’t left the house in days—I’m in full goblin mode”

H

Heather: A girl who everyone likes, she’s effortlessly cool, attractive, and someone others admire but like.

• Origin: Comes from Conan Gray’s 2020 song “heather”.
• Context: Gen Z turned it into a cultural label for someone unintentionally popular or stylish. It can be used genuinely or ironically.
• Example: “I wish I was Heather”

I

Ick: Something that makes you feel uncomfortable or turned off by a person or a situation.

• Origin: The Ally McBeal TV show in 1998.
• Context: Can be used negatively to describe actions that have put you off someone romantically or sexually. Also used in a humorous way to make fun of a partner's “quirks.”
• Example: “Ugh, sandals with socks. Ick.”

J

Jump scare: A sudden, shocking reveal. Usually, it’s about someone’s appearance, an old photo, or a messy situation.

• Origin: Borrowed from horror films and recontextualized by Gen Z.
• Context: Used for humor or self-roasting.
• Example: “I just saw my middle school yearbook photo…jump scare.”

K

Karen: A derogatory term to describe an entitled, demanding, often white woman who uses her privilege to police others.

• Origin: Exploded in 2020 amid viral videos of a white woman calling police on people of color.
• Context: It has become shorthand for privilege, entitlement, and passive-aggressive behavior. Some argue it is a sexist and outdated term; however, it is a relevant social archetype description.
• Example: “Not her asking for the manager again… Karen.”

L

Let him cook: A phrase used when someone is doing something questionable, but you want to give them a chance, or someone is doing something really well and you want them to continue.

• Origin: From sports commentary and Black Twitter, it went viral on TikTok in 2022.
• Context: Can be used sincerely and sarcastically.
• Example: “I don’t know what he’s doing, but let him cook.”

M

Mewing: A technique of placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth that supposedly improves jawline and facial structure over time.

• Origin: Coined by Dr John Mew, a British orthodontist.
• Context: Used as a “looksmaxxing” trend, not as a medical practice. Some use it seriously, some as humor. It also has links to incel and manosphere circles, but it’s more often used in mainstream meme humor.
• Example: “I’ve been mewing for 6 months now; can you tell?”

N

NPC (Non-player character): An insult or meme describing someone who doesn’t think for themselves. 

• Origin: From gaining culture. NPCs are background characters in video games.
• Context: Used as a derogatory term to describe people who follow social scripts, lack originality, or repeat opinions.
• Example: “She’s so basic, literally an NPC.”

O

Ohio (“only in Ohio”, “What’s going on in Ohio”): Several different meme phrases used to describe something as “weird” or “bizarre.” 

• Origin: Originating from crazy videos and news articles coming out of Ohio. 
• Context: Used by Gen Alpha and zoomers to describe something as weird. 
• Example: “Our substitute teacher started beatboxing and challenged us to a rap battle.” 

“What kind of Ohio school is this?”

P

Pick me: Someone (often a girl) who seeks male approval by putting others down or performing for male attention.

• Origin: Twitter and TikTok, circa 2019-2020
• Context: Can be used as an insult or as self-deprecating humor. It’s now expanded to “pick me boys”.
• Example: “She said ‘I’m not like other girls’, classic pick me energy.”

R

Rizz: Short for ‘charisma.’ It means charisma, presence, or game, especially in the context of flirting. 

• Origin: Popularized by influencer Kai Cenat.
• Context: “Unspoken rizz” means someone who is not even trying but has charisma.
• Example: “She used her rizz to get free drinks.”

S

Skibidi: A nonsensical catchphrase turned meme. Most commonly associated with chaotic, surreal YouTube shorts videos featuring characters like “skibidi toilet”.

• Origin: First gained attention in 2018 in the song “skibidi” by Little Big, a Russian rave band. However, it exploded in 2023 with the brainrot trend “skibidi toilet.”
• Context: It’s peak Gen Alpha brain rot.
• Example: “When the beat drops, it’s Skibidi o’clock.” 

Sigma: A term used to describe a “lone wolf” type of male. They typically reject societal norms and don’t crave validation, but are (or at least think they are) successful. 

• Origin: Coined in online manosphere spaces as an alternative to the Alpha/Beta male hierarchy. Gained momentum in 2020-2022.
• Context: Originally used as a serious description in red-pill spaces, it’s now been satirized by Gen Z. Some use it seriously, others as a way to make fun of hustle-culture, incels, and those in the Andrew Tate space.
• Example: “Sigma males don’t chase; they attract.”

V

Vibe check: A test of someone’s vibe or energy.

• Origin: Tumblr and X circa 2019
• Context: Can be playful or mean-spirited. 
• Example: “He failed the vibe check when he told me he listened to Coldplay.”

Z

Zesty: Slang for someone flamboyant, expressive, or “too much.”

• Origin: Black slang, later picked up by Stan and meme culture.
• Context: Can be used to mock or flatter depending on tone. 
• Example: “His roast was extra zesty, no cap.”

How to Use Brainrot Slang Naturally

Now you know some of the most popular brainrot slang meanings, you might be tempted to try out some of these words for yourself. Follow these steps to help you pull off brainrot slang without sounding like you’re trying too hard.

1. Stay up-to-date: Before you drop brainrot slang into conversation, make sure you’re on trend with the latest terms and phrases. Use platforms like TikTok, Discord, or Stan Twitter to stay in the know.
2. Lean into the irony and chaos: A lot of brainrot slang is intentionally ridiculous and works best when not taken too seriously. Much of it is used as self-deprecating humor.
3. Know your audience: Using “rizz” with your friends? Go for it. Using it with your boss? Maybe not. Context and timing are everything; brainrot slang seems to thrive online in spaces with shared digital references.
4. Use sparingly: A well-placed “NPC moment” or “jump scare” can go down well, but dropping 5 slang terms in every other sentence won’t sound natural, and it's going to confuse almost everyone. 

Decode Gen Z Slang with Promova Special Course

You might have nailed traditional slang, know how to order a drink in an NYC cocktail bar, and even understand that “Netflix and Chill” is a dating slang term, not about watching movies—but brainrot slang? That’s a different level.

Promova, a leading language platform, doesn’t just help you become fluent in traditional English. Their special courses are designed to give you a crash course in modern, real-world English, including Gen Z slang, internet phrases, and viral expressions you won’t find in textbooks or on traditional language courses.

Whether you’re trying to connect with a Zoomer, keep up with TikTok trends, or decode group chats, Promova breaks it all down with fun, interactive, AI-led lessons. 

Through the use of Promova’s app, 1:1 tutoring, small-group classes, or special courses, you can:

• Access fun, bite-sized lessons tailored to your fluency and availability
• Gain fluency quickly and efficiently with private, online classes
• Chat and learn alongside like-minded individuals in the free English conversation club
• Take a specialized course in Business English, interview prep, or even modern English slang, and be ready for whatever comes your way. 

Conclusion 

Brainrot slang is the fast-paced, creative, chaotic, and often bizarre world of digital slang. Driven by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, this form of English slang is found online on the likes of TikTok, X, gaming forums, and Discord.

Slang has always evolved, but in today’s hyper-digital world, brainrot slang moves at meme speed. Whether you fully understand it or not, try to embrace the absurdity, laugh at the irony, and appreciate the weird sense of community it creates. And if your brain feels a little fried after reading all this, well… that’s kind of the point.