TikTok’s effect on Ohio slang. You don’t know these terms, but your children definitely do
In the most recent version of “How to Feel Old in 2024,” the Ledger-Enquirer compiled the most frequently searched slang in Ohio.
A data research firm used search engine optimization tools Google Trends and Ahrefs to find the top trending slang, although they probably could have spent a few days on TikTok with the same result.
Use with caution
The research results indicate how many times each term was searched, although it doesn’t reveal the demographics of the searchers.
As trends tend to go, this list may be obsolete as soon as it is published, so be careful trying to use it with the young people in your life. You should absolutely consider the terms’ changing connotations before using them at work or church because some of them are not so G-rated.
If you’re feeling bold, don’t mind being the recipient of vicious eye rolls and are unfazed by the phrases “cringe” and “okay, boomer,” here are the most used slang terms right now.
Ohio’s top 10 slang words
Slay: doing something exceptionally well (slaying it). Praising style, talent and confidence.
Demure — reserved, modest or shy in manner or appearance. Dictionary.com recently named “demure” as the Word of the Year. “Between January and the end of August, this term saw a nearly 1200% increase in usage in digital web media alone,” said the folks at Dictionary.com. “This sharp rise is mainly attributed to TikToker Jools Lebron’s popularization of the phrase ‘very demure, very mindful’ in a series of videos posted to the platform in early August.” TikTok user Jools Lebron’s series of viral videos used “demure” to assess appropriate makeup and fashion choices in various settings.
Aura: the vibe someone gives off. It is likely a reference to how badass someone is. Aura points make you cooler.
Delulu: is short for ‘delusional.’ It means believing in something far-fetched. Often used jokingly.
Pookie: to show endearment and affection. Used for a close friend, partner or family member. Made famous by social media star Campbell Puckett in early 2024 as a term of endearment for his wife.
Brat: Unapologetically rebellious, playful and stylish. The word found a new positive meaning through Charli XCX’s 2024 album release and enjoyed some short-lived political fame when Vice President Kamala Harris used the song for her “Brat Summer” campaign initiatives.
Hawk Tuah: imitative of a spitting sound. The catchphrase originates from a viral street interview conducted in June 2024 with Haliey Welch. We’d recommend that you avoid Googling its origins at work.
Womp Womp: humorously shows disappointment; Like a sad sound when something goes wrong.
Fein: a person who is obsessed with something or someone. On TikTok, the usage can also describe people who are excited or mischievous.
Slang across America
There’s some overlap between what’s popular across the country and the local trends. In fact, some of the most searched terms in America don’t seem all that youth-oriented.
Here’s America’s favorite slang and how many times each was searched:
Demure (260,000 searches)
Sigma (220,000 searches): refers to an independent, self-reliant person who operates outside traditional social hierarchies
Skibidi (205,000 searches): a viral internet trend featuring surreal, animated videos of singing toilets and dancing heads, popularized on platforms like TikTok for its bizarre humor.
Hawk tuah (180,000 searches)
Sobriquet (105,000 searches): a nickname or descriptive name given to a person or thing. Borrowed from French.
Schmaltz (65,000 searches): refers to excessive sentimentality or melodrama.
Sen (50,000 searches): slang for self.
Katz (34,000 searches): a term for anything enjoyable, fun or pleasing. It can also mean “yes.”
Oeuvre (25,000 searches): refers to the complete works produced by an artist, writer or composer. A word used by literature professors to express superiority.
Preen (20,000 searches): slang for a child who tries to act like a teenager (wears teen clothes or makeup).
The slang struggle is real
Keeping up with modern slang can be a futile exercise that will likely inspire sarcasm and contempt from the young people in your life. So, use it with care and trepidation.
Usage tips:
Use with caution: meanings and uses can change from day to day, so you may not be using it correctly at all.
Results may vary (what’s cool in one place may not be in another)
If you want to stay current, hop onto social media — it all starts there anyway.
This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 4:21 PM.
