Brain Rot and Bridging Generational Language Gaps

Lexie

Alright, so get this—Oxford University Press just made "brain rot" the Word of the Year for 2024. Like, seriously. Brain rot.

Lila

Wait, wasn't that one of those, you know, online slang things that kind of popped up outta nowhere?

Lexie

Yup, it's that phrase everyone keeps throwing around to talk about how our brains are supposedly "melting" from too much TikTok and junky online content. I mean, it’s dramatic, but I kinda get it.

Lila

Right, it's officially defined as, uh, what was it again? "The supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state from consuming too much trivial content." Something like that?

Lexie

Exactly. And, like, you know what’s wild? It’s not just about mental health—it’s become this whole generational thing.

Lila

Yeah, like how parents are trying to keep up with the words their kids use. Oh, remember that TikTok trend where kids make their parents read brain rot slang out loud?

Lexie

Ugh, yes, so funny. It's like, "Say 'skibidi' without laughing," and then parents are just like, "What does this even mean?!"

Lila

Oh my gosh, or "rizz." I saw this one mom—

Lexie

You saw the mom who was like, "Raise your ya ya ya?"

Lila

Yes! She was so lost. Like, her kid gave her no context and just handed her the list of slang. It was hilarious but also, I mean, kind of sweet?

Lexie

Yeah, but also, poor parents, right? Like, the words don’t even make sense most of the time—

Lila

And they change so fast! It’s like, as soon as you learn one, ten more pop up outta nowhere.

Lexie

Right? It’s this whole cycle. But, okay, I gotta say, seeing them try is priceless.

Lexie

I mean, no wonder parents are struggling, right? TikTok’s like a nonstop slang-generator—it’s where half of these ridiculous words come from in the first place.

Lila

Totally. And it’s not even just TikTok anymore—it’s, like, Twitch, Roblox, and all these random places. One minute it’s "sigma," and the next it’s something like "delulu."

Lexie

Oh my god, "delulu." I love that one.

Lila

Right? It’s short for "delusional," but somehow it feels, I dunno, cooler to say it that way.

Lexie

Yeah, but also so unserious. Like, where do they even come up with these words? It’s like some unspoken contest online to see who can invent the weirdest slang.

Lila

And then everyone hops on it. But here’s the thing—it messes with families. Parents are out here just trying to figure out what "skibidi" even means, and by the time they ask their kids, it’s already old news.

Lexie

Exactly! And then the kids are like, "Ugh, Mom, it was funny, like, three trends ago." I mean, no wonder some parents are just, like, refusing to try.

Lila

Yeah, my mom definitely gave up. She’s all, "Why do I need to know this? I’m not about to start saying 'rizz' in public."

Lexie

Okay, but imagine if she did. Like, imagine her being like, "Your dad has so much rizz." I would actually die.

Lila

Stop. Stop it. I’m cringing so hard right now.

Lexie

But really, though, do you think our generation can even keep up with how fast this stuff changes? Like, Gen Alpha is running laps around us with this slang.

Lila

They really are. And the wildest part? It’s becoming this cultural divide. Parents wanna connect, but some just… I think they low-key resent how quickly things evolve online.

Lexie

Oh, for sure. And I get it—it’s gotta be exhausting to learn a whole new mini-language every month just to talk to your kid.

Lila

It kind of shows how online culture is changing everything, though. Like, the way we talk, the way we think... It’s all speeding up and getting, you know, way more chaotic.

Lexie

Right. We’re basically decoding the internet at this point. But hey, it’s not all bad—some of those words are actually kinda fun once you get the hang of them.

Lexie

But honestly, though, I’ll give some parents credit—they’re actually trying to keep up, and you gotta admit, that’s kinda heartwarming.

Lila

Yeah, I saw this one mom on TikTok who got her daughter to teach her all the new slang. It was so cute! They were laughing the whole time, and you could tell it actually brought them closer.

Lexie

Totally! Like, when parents put in the effort, it’s such a vibe. Even if they sound ridiculous saying stuff like "delulu" or "rizz," it shows they care enough to try.

Lila

Absolutely. And honestly, isn’t that what it’s all about? Communication is key, even if it means learning...what was it? "Raise your ya ya ya?"

Lexie

Oh my god, stop. That one had me in tears! But yeah, when parents and kids meet halfway like that, it’s actually really cool. It’s like language becomes a bridge instead of, you know, some annoying wall.

Lila

For sure. Experts even say encouraging these kinds of conversations can strengthen family bonds. Instead of making language this awkward thing, it can actually be fun.

Lexie

Yeah, until parents overdo it and suddenly nothing is cool anymore. Like, remember when everyone started saying 'on fleek' and then adults ruined it?

Lila

Oh, the cringe! My dad once said my outfit was "drip." I don’t think I’ve recovered.

Lexie

Ah, stop, that’s hilarious. But, yeah, it’s a fine line. I guess it’s like… embrace the fun, but don’t try too hard. Nobody wants to hear their mom say, "You’re looking delulu today."

Lila

Exactly. But, honestly, props to all the parents out there putting in the work. It’s not easy to keep up, and they deserve some credit for even trying.

Lexie

For real. So here’s to them—making the effort, getting laughed at, and somehow still showing us how much they care. Cheers to the most "rizz-tastic" parents out there.

Lila

Oh no, did you just say "rizz-tastic?" We’re officially part of the problem.

Lexie

Oops. On that note, I think we’re done here.

Lila

Yeah, that’s all for today, folks. Thanks for hanging with us, and we’ll catch you next time!