14 Popular Slang Terms That Make Us Cringe Today
Some slang terms that were once trendy now feel outdated, awkward, or uncomfortable to hear in conversations today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Language evolves quickly, and slang often reflects the time and culture it came from. Many expressions that were once popular now sound forced or out of place. These outdated terms remind us how fast social norms and communication styles can change.
1. YOLO
Kaushik Borah on Pexels
“YOLO” stands for “you only live once” and became popular in the early 2010s. It was used to justify impulsive behavior or risky decisions. The phrase was widely overused in social media captions and party culture. Today, it often feels immature or dated when used seriously.
2. On Fleek
David Kwewum on Pexels
“On fleek” described something that looked perfect or well-done, especially eyebrows or outfits. It gained attention from viral videos around 2014. The phrase became so popular that brands began using it in marketing. Its quick rise and overuse led to a fast decline in credibility.
3. Bae
Cup of Couple on Pexels
“Bae” was a shortened form of “babe” or “baby,” often used to refer to a romantic partner. It became common in pop music and internet memes. Many people now find the term overused or artificial. It is still heard occasionally but feels outdated in casual speech.
4. Cray Cray
DS stories on Pexels
“Cray cray” was a playful way to say “crazy,” usually to describe someone acting wild or unpredictable. It appeared in songs, TV shows, and youth slang. Over time, it lost its playful charm and started sounding childish. It is rarely used in serious conversation anymore.
5. Swag
Frank K on Pexels
“Swag” referred to style, confidence, or coolness, especially in fashion or attitude. It was often used by teens and in music lyrics. The term became less meaningful as it was adopted by brands and overused. It now feels out of date and overplayed.
6. Lit
Lgh_9 on Pexels
“Lit” described something exciting or fun, like a party or concert. It was widely used from the mid-2010s in youth and internet culture. As the term spread to older generations and marketing, it started to feel forced. Many people now avoid it because it sounds unnatural.
7. Turnt
Maurício Mascaro on Pexels
“Turnt” meant being excited or highly energetic, often while partying. It was a common phrase in nightlife scenes and music. Its use peaked quickly and dropped as new expressions replaced it. Today, it’s seen as out of touch or overly dramatic.
8. Hashtag Everything
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
People once added the word “hashtag” before spoken words, like “hashtag blessed” or “hashtag fail.” This habit came from social media but crossed into daily speech. It was often used as a joke but became annoying with repetition. Very few people talk this way now.
9. Totes
Anastasiya Gepp on Pexels
“Totes” was a shortened form of “totally,” used for quick or ironic speech. It was common in internet slang and pop culture references. The word became associated with forced humor or sarcasm. It is now mostly used as a parody of past trends.
10. Obvi
Zeynep M. on Pexels
“Obvi” was short for “obviously” and was used to express sarcasm or emphasis. It appeared in conversations, text messages, and teen comedies. As with many shortened slang words, it began to sound unnatural over time. Most people no longer use it seriously.
11. Hella
fauxels on Pexels
“Hella” was a slang word for “very” or “a lot,” used mainly in California during the 1990s and early 2000s. It made its way into music and national speech. While some still use it locally, it sounds out of place to many outside those regions. The word now feels regional or outdated.
12. Not!
Cup of Couple on Pexels
Adding “not!” at the end of a sentence was a joke format that reversed the sentence’s meaning, popular in the 1990s. It was meant to be funny or sarcastic. The joke wore out from overuse and now feels awkward. It is mostly remembered as a dated trend.
13. Epic Fail
Mattes on Wikimedia Commons
“Epic fail” described a major mistake or embarrassing moment, often used in memes and videos. It peaked during the early years of YouTube. As internet culture evolved, the phrase lost impact and started sounding exaggerated. Today, it feels tied to early online humor.
14. Chillax
Ewan Munro on Wikimedia Commons
“Chillax” was a blend of “chill” and “relax,” used to tell someone to calm down. It was popularized by movies and teen shows in the early 2000s. The term never sounded fully natural and quickly became a cliché. It is now used rarely and often in a joking way.