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