(NEXSTAR) – If you’ve been around kids, especially those in their preteen and teenage years, you’ve probably encountered a variety of slang expressions, from phrases like “Skibidi toilet” to “6-7.”

Much like the slang from your own youth, these expressions often seem meaningless to adults but are frequently used by the younger generation. That is, unless you’re well-versed in the latest lingo.

One such term, “I know ball,” has recently piqued curiosity, with Google searches for the phrase spiking over the past month.

So, what exactly does it mean?

Unlike the intricate meanings behind terms like “6-7” or the newly coined “sendy,” the phrase “I know ball”—along with its variations like “you know ball” or “they know ball”—is refreshingly straightforward.

At its core, “knowing ball” can translate to quite literally understanding ball sports like football, baseball, or basketball. Taylor Swift made a similar statement in her song, “So High School,” saying in greater words, “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle.”

You could use “I know ball” to describe either your knowledge of a sport or your skills at said sport. Swift, for example, may understand football, but likely couldn’t play in place of fiancée and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She could, however, describe herself as “knowing ball” when it comes to philosophy.

“Knowing ball” can apply outside of sports, of course. The trend on TikTok, according to The Tab, has garnered videos of people describing what they have knowledge or expertise with, defining themselves as “knowing ball:” gaming skills, bed rotting, art history, or quite literally any topic, interest area, and even living with afflictions like IBS or diabetes.

Your barber could say they “know ball” if they’re able to give you the “broccoli” haircut that teenage boys made popular last year. Your friend that loves to travel may “know ball” if they can explain “shoulder season.” You may even say you “know ball” if you can identify these common acronyms, play padel, or any number of other skills. 

Admittedly, “I know ball” may not rank among the most complex of the Gen Z slang, but it may be one of a few you can use around the water cooler without feeling “delulu” (shorthand for delusional, of course).