40 Things Only Millennials Say | Best Life

If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you’d be forgiven for not knowing what on earth “spilling the tea,” “clap back,” or “fleek” means. (That goes especially for the latter, since no one seems to know what “fleek” means.) However, if you want to talk to millennials on their own terms—and to truly decipher what it is they’re saying—it would behoove you to learn. That’s why we put together this definitive list of millennial terminology that every person should know. So read on, take notes, and try to use them all in a sentence. (Don’t have time? Well, then I guess #thestruggleisreal.) And if you’re a millennial, it’s your turn to bone up on the words only your elders use.

1 “Netflix and chill.”

It’s when you want to make it crystal clear to somebody exactly how un-remorseful you really are about something. And for more great trivia, here are the 30 Words That Will Make You Sound Instantly Smarter. 

3 “Sipping” or “Spilling the tea”

You may notice the lack of “up” following this word. If we know nothing else about millennials, it’s that they’re far too busy for modifiers. In this context, it’s not even just about being awake. It’s about suddenly springing to life, either out of alarm or determination. You’re woke, so now things are, you know, real. 

5 “Swerve”

It sounds like a word only George Takei could pull off, but it’s become a favorite among millennials. It means being in a bad or grumpy mood.

7 “The struggle is real”

Older millennials got tired of being called millennials, so they invented a new name for themselves. If you were born between 1977 and 1983 and don’t feel like you belong in either Generation X or millennials, you’re an xennial. File this one under “nobody cares, please stop inventing new words for stupid things.” Oh, and speaking of newly created words, here are 10 Things “Polyamorous” People Want You to Know about Their Relationships.

9 “Thirsty”