How do you spell bougie? See the most-searched slang terms
Skibidi toilet rizz: Decoding Gen Alpha slang
Dubbed a language of "brainrot," Gen Alpha has a new lexicon of slang inspired by Internet culture. The words may seem a bit odd, but the evolution of slang is fairly standard. Many language experts say Gen Alpha doesn't deserve the bad reputation it has for it's youthful way of speaking. Grant Barrett is a lexicographer, linguist and the co-host of "A Way with Words." He joins LiveNOW from FOX to discuss Gen Alpha's way of speaking, and how it builds a generational community.
If you need help understanding the vocabulary of the younger generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha, you’re not alone.
Ahead of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Google Trends has revealed the most searched slang words by state.
From "bougie" to "shiesty," here are the top slang words by state – and what they mean.
Top searched ‘how to spell’ slang
Bougie
According to Dictionary.com, boujee means "fancy, swanky" or "associated with wealth or indulgence."
Bro
Bro is a slang term that can have multiple meanings depending on its usage. For example, it can mean a "male friend or buddy," or can refer to a "young male often negatively characterized as being preppy, party-loving and egotistical."
Got down
In slang, "got down" or "get down" has multiple meanings, often implying an energetic or intense engagement with something. The specific meaning depends on the context.
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Lowkey
According to Dictionary.com, low-key can variously mean "quiet," "restrained," "moderate," or "easygoing." It can also behave as an adverb or adjective meaning "of low or moderate intensity," like doing something, but in a "chill" way.
In modern slang, "low-key" can mean "secretly," "kinda," or "mildly." It's often used to soften a statement or express something in an understated way.
Naw
Dictionary.com says that "naw" is a slang term used as a casual way of saying "no" or a negative reply. It's often used in informal communication like text messages or online chat. The word "naw" can also be an adverb or interjection.
Shiesty
"Shiesty" is a slang term that describes someone who is dishonest, deceptive or shady. It is also used to describe someone who is selfish and inconsiderate of others
Tea
Best served piping hot, Dictionary.com says that tea is slang for "gossip," a juicy scoop, or other personal information.
Tryna
According to Merriam-Webster, the word tryna consists of the contraction of trying+to and has the colloquial meaning of "want to" or 'desire to."
Twiner
According to Urban Dictionary, the term "twiner" is when two people suddenly realize they have identical habits or ideas.
How to watch the spelling bee finals
Dig deeper:
The Scripps National Spelling Bee finals will air live on ION on Thursday, May 29, 8 to 10 p.m. EDT. This is the final round of a three-day competition featuring the top young spellers from across the U.S. and abroad.
RELATED: Scripps National Spelling Bee celebrates 100 years: How to watch and what to expect
Earlier rounds were streamed across Scripps-owned platforms—Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More, and SpellingBee.com—on the following schedule:
- Tuesday, May 27: Preliminary rounds streamed from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. EDT
- Wednesday, May 28: Quarterfinals streamed from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., followed by semifinals from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. The semifinals also aired on ION in a tape-delayed broadcast from 8 to 10 p.m.
The Source: The information for this story was provided by Google, Dictionary.com, Merriam Webster and Urban Dictionary. Previous FOX Local reporting also contributed. This story was reported from Los Angeles.