If you’ve been left baffled by hearing young people in your life describing everything and anything as ‘skibidi’, you are not alone. 

A study conducted by Oxford University Press revealed that 15 percent of 1,200 children selected ‘skibidi’ as their preferred word, with ‘slay’ a close second. This slang term of Gen Alpha was also included in the 6,000 new entries of the Cambridge Dictionary this week.

To make things ultra confusing, skibidi has different meanings, such as ‘cool’ or ‘bad’ – or can be used with no real meaning as a joke. 

The term originated from a YouTube series titled Skibidi Toilet, released in February 2023. This series presents animated heads emerging from toilets, showcasing a peculiar scene where singing toilets with human heads (Skibidi toilets) engage in a conflict with another group of camera-headed figures (Cameramen).

Its popularity was sealed when Kim Kardashian showed a necklace on Instagram given to her as a present engraved with the words ‘skibidi toilet’. 

Among Gen Alpha, comprised of those born between 2010 and 2024, the expression ‘that’s skibidi’ holds various meanings. It can be utilized to convey disgust, high praise, disdain, or even surprise.

‘Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary,’ said Colin McIntosh, a lexicographer at Cambridge Dictionary. ‘It’s not every day you get to see words like skibidi and delulu make their way into it. We add words only where we think they’ll have staying power.’ 

But if you did not understand a word of that, or other nonsensical words – do not be alarmed. Here’s a handy guide so that conversations with those half your age are no longer so baffling.

Gen Alpha dictionary

Alpha male 

Applied to a dominating man, often a bully, despite this being perceived as a positive trait among groups of men known as incels (involuntary celibates). They believe that these characteristics are what women are biologically hardwired to desire. Alpha male discourse is often related to the so-called ‘manosphere’ and linked to the misogynistic views of influencer Andrew Tate.

Aura 

This is used to describe stylishness and confidence. Used in sport or entertainment when someone has performed well. 

Aura farming 

You can gain ‘aura points’ when you do something impressive, but then lose them by doing something embarrassing. ‘Aura farming’ involves putting on a cool persona to be seen as more impressive and therefore gain more ‘aura points’. This is also widely used in gaming communities, where it can be both an insult and a compliment to be called an ‘aura farmer’. ‘Auramaxxing’, a spin-off from this term, looks at how to better improve your appearance but is related to the controversial ‘looksmaxxing’ (see separate entry below).

Based 

Someone who is authentically themselves, but can refer to anything that is good, correct or impressive. 

Beg 

Someone trying to act too cool or sucking up to someone else.

Bestie 

A colloquial phrase for a friend.

Beta male

Considered an insult in the incel community, this refers to someone who is not assertive or masculine enough. They are also often overlooked by women but will also be someone who believes in feminism and is therefore acting as a ‘white knight’. 

Blackpill 

Those who have a nihilistic view of the world, often related to incels. If you are ‘blackpilled’ you believe there is nothing in the world that can improve yourself and are doomed to a life of rejection and unhappiness.

Brainrot

The mindless and addictive content online as well as its effect on the user, whose brain is ‘rotting’ as a consequence.

Brat girl summer 

Inspired from Charli XCX’s album ‘brat’, this is all about having a carefree, party-loving, and slightly messy yet confident attitude. It’s about embracing imperfections, taking risks, and not being afraid to be yourself.

Broligarchy 

This merges the words ‘bro’ and ‘oligarchy’ and defined as ‘a small group of men, especially those owning or involved in a technology business’.

Bussin 

A positive term for anything good, cool or delicious.

Chad

Another word for an alpha male.

Cooked 

This has negative connotations, often suggesting something is done or dead in the water. ‘We are cooked’ or ‘cooked in the chat’ suggests there is nothing to be done, we are in trouble, or there is no hope. ‘Let him cook’ also means let the person think. ‘We cooked them’ means we beat them or insulted them. 

Cuck 

Used more generally as an insult but originated from the word ‘cuckold’, which describes a man whose wife or girlfriend is unfaithful.

Delulu 

A play on the word delusional, defined as ‘believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to’ in the Cambridge Dictionary.

Fake news 

Taken from the very real phenomenon of fake news as well as President Donald Trump’s declarations, it is now used by Gen Alpha to denote a lie.

Fanum tax 

When one friend steals food off another. The term was created when one streamer, Fanum, jokingly ‘taxed’ food from other content creators during streams.

Femcel 

A woman who is frustrated at a lack of sexual relationships – but does share the same extreme ideologies as male incels.

Five big booms 

Saying the word boom five times consecutively with a flexed arm is used to express excitement or anticipation. The meaning is quite loose, as it can also be used to show as a sign of respect, appreciation, enjoyment or success.

Fire/flames

Used to describe how great something is.

Gives me life 

Excitement or enjoyment.

Got drip 

Someone who looks really cool or has a stylish outfit.

Gyatt

Strong admiration, surprise or excitement usually in reaction to seeing a woman’s shapely bottom. Typically said as ‘oh my gyatt’. 

Incel 

Originally used to describe a man who was unsuccessful in dating women in online communities and is a contraction of the term ‘involuntary celibate’. The blame was placed on women who were cruelly objectified, ridiculed and insulted as a result. It more broadly applies to someone who hates women or opposes feminism and has other violent and toxic connotations. They promote violent extremism and the ideology has been credited for several mass killings in the last decade, mostly in the US.

It’s giving 

Used as a verb to help describe a certain ‘vibe’, often followed by a noun. 

Looksmaxxing 

The practice of often times extreme measures used to change your appearance, typically aimed at young men and based on incel ideologies. ‘Softmaxxing’ is more superficial and can include clearing acne, going to the gym or having a certain haircut. Mewing is considered softmaxxing. ‘Hardmaxxing’ is considered more invasive changes like getting implants, surgically lengthening your limbs, getting jaw surgery or starving yourself, although there are many subgroups within this. Looksmaxxing has often been criticised for promoting body dysphoria. 

Low-T 

Used in a humorous way to describe a man who lacks traditional masculine qualities, like crying, being a vegetarian or being a feminist.

Manosphere 

An online world consisting of blogs, websites and forums that promote typically toxicly masculine traits and a violent opposition to feminism. Incels will find much of their content here as well as many men’s rights groups. 

Mewing 

Perhaps the most popular ‘looksmaxxing’ term, mewing refers to the practice of suctioning your tongue to the top of your mouth to ‘enhance’ their jawline.

Mouse jiggler 

A device or software used to make it seem as though you are working when you are not, inspired after the shifting work-from-home culture after the pandemic.

No cap 

Not a lie.

Pookie 

A romantic term of endearment for your significant other but can also be used more broadly for close ones you are affectionate towards. The world was popularised by viral TikTok couple Campbell and Jett Puckett. 

Pop off 

To do really well at a task, can also mean to have a go at someone or fight with them.

Queen 

A complimentary name that shows respect or affection.

Redpilled 

A reference to The Matrix, if you are ‘redpilled’ who have become aware of the supposed truth of the world as revealed by the manosphere. If you have taken the ‘blue pill’ you are wilfully ignorant of the truth and the alleged world order.

Rizz

Believed to come from ‘charisma’ but is used to say you have success at flirting.

Say less 

When you understand something completely. Can also indicate excitement.

Serving 

When something looks really good or well put together, normally an outfit.

Shook 

Shocked or surprised.

Sigma 

Often used among young men, it can be used to denote a solitary, masculine man. An evolution of the phrase ‘alpha male’ credited to controversial far-Right activist Theodore Robert Beale, and inspired by the letter of the Greek alphabet to signify a lone wolf. It also has relations to the ‘manosphere’ and ‘incel’ culture and an example of a ‘sigma’ is Patrick Bateman in the classic novel American Psycho. 

Despite these new connotations, it is often used ironically and with humour in the phrase ‘what the sigma’, making fun of the intense hustle culture of ‘bros’. It can also still mean ‘that’s cool’.

Slay 

To do really well at something although used very broadly now to describe anything positive.

Soy boy 

A pejorative among online and gaming communities to describe a man who lacks traditional masculine qualities. The relation to ‘soy’ is down to the presence of phytoestrogen isoflavone in soybeans which some online wrongly believe soy products in turn will feminise them, affect their testosterone or oestrogen levels or sperm quality. 

Streamer  

Someone who broadcasts live content online, typically a video game. They will then engage in real time with their viewers who can comment or chat.

The goat 

An acronym for ‘the greatest of all time’, often used in football or sports.

Tradwife 

A married woman who stays at home doing the cooking, cleaning and taking care of children but ‘especially [a wife] who posts on social media’ about these activities.

Demure 

A phrase used in a viral TikTok – the typical full sentence goes ‘I’m not like those other girls, I’m very demure, very mindful’ – and is used to indicate that you have a calmer, drama-free approach to life.

Understood the assignment 

Did a task really well.

Zaddy 

A handsome, older man.