My eldest daughter is what is known as a “tweener”, the delicate age that comes right before puberty where you’re too old to play with the little kids and not quite old enough to hang with the teenagers. It’s tough time, I’m sure.
Personally, I don’t remember having issues with those years because I was living on a farm in the middle of Texas and had the horses and cows as my friends – they didn’t care if I wore the most current of fashions or whether I had body odor or not. I’m just sayin’.
Since I am a person who is relationship-oriented, I tend to do a lot of research and reading on anything I think might help me to identify with what she’s going through and possibly give her some tips to help her “fit in” with the kids at our new church.
Of course, I am learning as I go too, because let’s face it – it’s been a lot of years since I was a pre-teen and I’m not exactly known for my stellar memory. Nor am I known for being a “cool” mom, in fact, I’ve been called the “meanest mom in the world” before, but that’s entirely subject to interpretation, as I’m sure you well know.
However, I have learned a few words which I’d like to share with you at this time, so that you too, may enjoy a full and enriching relationship with your tween/teenager (or at least be able to cipher what they’re saying):
Fashion:
tatted out: covered in tattoos
tramp stamp: a tattoo on a woman’s lower back, designed for viewing between low-riding jeans and short t-shirts.
scooby doos: good shoes
Love:
cupcaking: public display of affection
boo: boyfriend or girlfriend
flirtationship: a prolonged flirtation with an acquaintance, not involving physical contact.
Friends:
brodown: boy’s night out
bromance: a close, but nonsexual relationship between 2 men.
n00b: a newcomer
Music:
crunk: a hip-hop genre
disco nap: a short nap before clubbing
mash-up: to take elements of existing peices of music, usually of different genres, and combine them into a new song.
Actions:
check vitals: monitor one’s email, cellphone, voice mail, and other electronics
floss: to show off your wealth
jump the shark: to have peaked and now be on a downward slide
rock: to manifest greatness
Affirmations:
fo’ shizzle: certainly
obvi: obviously
totes: totally
Descriptions:
the bomb: an ultimate favorite
off the chain: the bomb
ridonkulous: beyond ridiculous
sick: extremely cool
tight: fantastic
wack: unjustifiable
Britishisms:
chav: derogatory term for a working-class youth.
nutter: a crazy person
snog: to kiss
T5: disorganization, like the infamous new Terminal Five @ Heathrow Airport
The End:
badonkadonk: an attractive derriere
So how many of these words did you already know? Were any of them new to you?
Patsy
October 13, 2008 at 11:05 am (15 years ago)Fun post. Who knew?? Jargon keeps changing…thanks for update. of course now I have to give up “groovy” and the likes.
Christy
October 13, 2008 at 12:36 pm (15 years ago)Ha! I swear, at least half of those have been used in the CBS show, “How I Met Your Mother” (or HIMYM to kiddos). Too funny!
Mrs. De Miranda
October 13, 2008 at 12:49 pm (15 years ago)seriously, i just learned a lot. and I thought I was pretty “down” with that generation. you have put me to shame! hahaha, but i like check your vitals, thats cute! Happy Monday!
Mocha with Linda
October 13, 2008 at 8:42 pm (15 years ago)Well, silly me – as a nurse, I thought check your vitals involved blood pressure, pulse, & respirations! I'm obvi NOT off the chain!
Those are bizarre. . . or should I say ridonkulous!!
Elizabeth
October 14, 2008 at 9:05 am (15 years ago)Goodness, most of those were new to me. And I have a ten-year old daughter and a 15 year-old sister! I need to work on my coolness, fo’ shizzle.
Flea
October 14, 2008 at 4:02 pm (15 years ago)Sadly, I knew nearly half of them. And isn’t it amusing that the term Jump the shark is one they probably have no idea of the origin?
Sweet Serendipity
October 14, 2008 at 5:53 pm (15 years ago)Oh, that’s hilarious. Mostly because I didn’t realize how old I really was until I read that! I only knew a couple. My kids are still 6 and under, so unfortunately this new found knowledge will be so passe by the time they hit tweens. Sigh.
Mzzterry
October 14, 2008 at 8:43 pm (15 years ago)I did not know 6 out of the 30 of these. But I would not know so many if I did not have a daughter who teaches seventh graders! She keeps me from being too old!
Mzzterry
October 14, 2008 at 8:45 pm (15 years ago)And fyi, fo shizzle, badonkadonk and the bomb are not Sick terms anymore!
Not that I know or anything!! =)
Kellan
October 14, 2008 at 11:33 pm (15 years ago)I have 2 sixteen year old girls, so I knew and have heard most of these – but, not all of them and it was fun to learn those I didn’t know! This was fun – thanks.
Take care – Kellan
Always been Different
October 15, 2008 at 3:44 am (15 years ago)and lets not forget “Smexy” which is better than just plan sexy LOL!
Tay
October 15, 2008 at 11:46 am (15 years ago)Pretty much I’m only 22 and I had no idea what most of those words were. Wow. It’s putting everything into perspective and now I have more words to maybe make myself look cooler in the eyes of my 14-year old sister – thanks!
Marilyn - A Mixed Bouquet
October 16, 2008 at 9:15 pm (15 years ago)I only knew a couple of them. My 19 yr old son wasn’t familiar with many of them.
I’m sure my mom was confused by “groovy” during my teens. 😛
Elaine A.
October 18, 2008 at 8:53 pm (15 years ago)I am so going to be using “check your vitals” from now on!
I knew quite a few of these but admit I am a little confused about “off the chain”. Does that mean a real bomb?
Thank you so much for the additional knowledge!! (I feel at least a little more “sick” now… ; )
dianne - bunny trails
October 20, 2008 at 10:44 am (15 years ago)Even though I have 15 & 13 year old boys, they are SO not into this type of stuff.
But at least if it ever pops up, I'll be sick.
Thank you for your tight public service. You are off the chain, my friend. 😀