A Parent's Guide to Teen Slang

Ever feel lost when teens say something is "mid" or "giving main character energy"? Join Jessi and Erin as their special guest, Emily Moyers, a Teen Librarian at PML and self professed language lover breaks down the wild world of modern slang – from how it spreads faster than ever on social media to why some terms stick while others get left on read.

What's inside:

✨ The psychology behind why teens create new language
📱 Which platforms are slang factories (hint: it's not just TikTok)
⚡ Cultural appropriation vs. natural language evolution
🎯 Parent survival guide to staying current without being cringe
🧠 Slang quiz to test your fluency!

Whether you're a confused parent or just fascinated by how language evolves, this episode will leave you absolutely shook by the creativity of modern communication.

No cap – this one hits different! 💯

Episode Timestamps:

0:01 – Introduction
03:15 – Terms and Patterns
05:15 – Reference points for slang
06:45 – How can parents stay informed
08:55 – How does slang reflect Gen Z cultural shifts/values
10:50 – How does their time online influence slang
13:30 – Life cycle of slang terms
14:20 – Influence of marginalized groups on slang (appropriation vs mainstream)
18:30 – Possible hidden meanings of slang terms
22:05 – Platforms where slang is being created
23:40 – Favorite slang terms
28:10 – Slang quiz
35:00 - Closing

Episode #21, May 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #21