If you have recently noted your grandchildren use the terms ‘neek’, ‘NPC’ or ‘delulu’ in conversation and felt utterly lost, you are certainly not alone.
While we’d all like to be down with the kids, Gen Z language is evolving at rapid speed thanks to the likes of TikTok, gaming culture and social media trends.
And, according to London-based psychotherapist Marygrace Anderson, not only are these seemingly trivial phrases often hard to understand, but they can also tell us a great deal about one’s emotional state.
The certified psychotherapist and founder of MG Hypnosis told the Daily Mail that ‘modern slang reveals much more than communication trends’.
‘It can reflect anxiety, identity struggles, emotional masking, fear of rejection, social pressure and an increasing pressure to fit in online or gain validation from peers,’ she explained.
‘So, in many ways, Gen Z slang has become a subconscious coping mechanism. And while some phrases are harmless fun or part of young culture, others can subtly shape confidence, self-worth and even emotional wellbeing.’
So, are you down with the kids or are you beginning to show your age?
Read on to discover the ten most popular Gen Z slang words and learn what they really mean, according to the expert…
According to London-based psychotherapist Marygrace Anderson (pictured), these seemingly trivial Gen Z phrases could hold a far deeper meaning
‘Neek’
‘A “neek” is essentially the modern version of a “nerd” or “geek”,’ explained the expert.
This, therefore tends to qualify as ‘someone seen as overly keen to study, slightly socially awkward or intensely interested in academic topics’.
Ms Anderson said: ‘What’s interesting psychologically is that younger generations are becoming increasingly aware of social image and peer approval.
‘A lot of teens nowadays are fearful of standing out in the wrong way, and their goal is to ultimately “fit in”. Interestingly, I often observe young people hiding genuine interests, talents or intelligence because they fear social exclusion.
‘And humour is frequently used to soften judgement. Calling someone a “neek” may sound playful, but underneath it can reinforce insecurity around identity and belonging. So for some teenagers, fitting in now feels safer than being authentic.’
‘Cooked’
‘One of the newest Gen Z phrases is “cooked”, used when someone feels overwhelmed, mentally exhausted or unable to cope,’ said the expert.
‘Saying “I’m cooked” sounds light-hearted, but psychologically it reflects how many young people now normalise burnout culture.
‘Instead of talking about anxiety, stress or emotional exhaustion, saying “I’m cooked” is a new Gen Z way of signalling in a more humorous way that they feel more overwhelmed than they wish to verbalise.
‘It is a clever mask and, because it is delivered with passing humour, it is not questioned but at the same time understood as: leave them be.’
‘NPC’
‘One of the more psychologically revealing terms is “NPC” in Gen Z vocabulary, which means “non-player character”,’ explained Ms Anderson.
‘This is all taken from online gaming and used to describe someone seen as robotic, repetitive or lacking in independent thought.
‘But psychologically, behind the scenes, this phrase reflects something important, which is feeling emotionally exhausted and socially disconnected.
‘Many young people feel they are operating on autopilot. Constant scrolling, comparison culture and digital overstimulation can leave people emotionally numb and in today’s culture, NPC is surprisingly common.
‘This can only intensify any feelings of stress or anxiety and NPC really reveals this culture of people who are passive and do not have their own thoughts.’
‘Delulu’
‘”Delulu”, in Gen Z, is short for “delusional”. It’s often used jokingly when someone has exaggerated optimism, particularly in dating or romantic terms,’ said the expert.
However, she noted that on ‘a psychological level, this trending slang word is fascinating because humour can become a socially acceptable way to express one’s vulnerability’.
‘For example, instead of openly admitting they may feel lonely, face rejection or be emotionally disappointed by something, Gen Z package their feelings up as irony,’ Ms Anderson added.
‘Saying they are “delulu” or being seen as delulu will soften the emotional exposure they fear from their peers or others around them.
‘Younger generations have become incredibly skilled at disguising difficult emotions through humour, sarcasm and self-aware language.’
‘Aura’
‘”Aura” is one of the coolest Gen Z phrases and it’s often used to describe someone’s social presence, confidence or perceived popularity online,’ explained the psychotherapist.
‘You may have heard Gen Z talk about “gaining aura” or “losing aura”, and on a psychological level, it reflects how deeply social validation and image management now influence younger generations.
‘Much of Gen Z confidence is increasingly tied to how they believe others perceive them, both online and offline, creating constant pressure to appear socially desirable, emotionally unbothered and culturally relevant.’
While we’d all like to be down with the kids, Gen Z language is evolving at rapid speed thanks to the likes of TikTok, gaming culture and social media trends (stock image)
‘Pookie’
‘Not all Gen Z slang is negative or offensive,’ Ms Anderson revealed.
‘Terms like “pookie” can be used affectionately for someone they deem cute, comforting or emotionally safe, and it reveals something else entirely: a deep desire for emotional closeness and reassurance.
‘Many younger people today are growing up in a world of uncertainty, like economic instability, social media comparison, rising anxiety, fear of failure and constant digital exposure, therefore positive reinforcement is a coping mechanism and affectionate slang language becomes a form of emotional regulation.
‘As they are still finding their way in the world, young people crave softness, reassurance and safe emotional words as a comforting tactic.’
‘Mogging’
‘”Mogging” in Gen Z is a word used when someone is seen as more attractive or successful than others,’ explained the expert.
‘Due to them being seen as more socially dominant, they can make others feel inferior. Mogging highlights just how appearance and comparison culture is linked to self-worth and how Gen Z strive for status and success.’
‘Glazing
‘”Glazing” is when someone praises or overly defends someone, particularly in online culture. This can feel slightly over the top,’ Ms Anderson said.
‘Underneath, this can signal just how social dynamics play out online, with Gen Z acutely aware of how glazing is connected to validation.
‘Often, over-supporting others or giving them extra attention is a way to be seen and gain social acceptance.’
‘Brainrot’
According to the psychotherapist, this term is ‘humorously used to describe endless online content consumption’.
‘Whilst on the surface it can seem like a throwaway word, underneath it can signal a generation who are exposed to constant digital stimulation and consume endless meaningless content,’ she explained.
‘Psychologically, it can imply many young people are trapped in endless scrolling patterns, where overstimulation, distraction and online noise can leave them feeling mentally drained and unable to properly switch off.’
‘Tweaking’
In the world of Gen Z, this term is used ‘when someone appears anxious or overstimulated’.
‘They may appear emotionally reactive and unable to stay calm. Tweaking, in a psychological context, can reflect the pressure many young people face with regards to navigating life, daily stresses and expectations both online and offline,’ Ms Anderson said.
‘Framing it this way becomes a safer way of verbalising these feelings, and it can feel safer as they feel less vulnerable. But underneath, they can be experiencing heightened anxiety and emotional stress.’
Why Gen Z use humour to hide anxiety
‘One of the biggest psychological patterns I see in practice is “emotional masking”. Gen Z are often hyper emotionally intelligent and more self-aware than previous generations, but on the flip side they are also under more social pressure,’ the expert said.
‘Online culture speeds up the need to be funny and relatable and as a result, vulnerability is often hidden beneath memes, slang and irony. Given they grow up in an online world, they find it more difficult to express or verbalise their feelings with physical conversation and instead, emotions become coded into slang.
‘And slang evolves rapidly partly because language itself has become social currency. Using the “right” phrases signals belonging. Using the wrong ones risks social embarrassment from fear of being cancelled, excluded or managing their identity (on and offline) and how popular they are.’
What parents should actually pay attention to
Ms Anderson said: ‘Parents don’t necessarily need to memorise every Gen Z phrase. What matters more is understanding the emotional need underneath the language – such as insecurity, fear of rejection, anxiety, desire for belonging and so forth.
‘The real conversation shouldn’t simply be, “What does this word mean?” It should be, “What emotional pressure might this language be reflecting?”
‘What we are witnessing isn’t simply changing vocabulary. It’s a generation adapting psychologically to social media pressure, comparison culture, overstimulation, rising anxiety, loneliness, identity confusion and the need for instant validation. Sometimes, a single word can reveal far more than people realise.’
