Whether you’re fluent in the latest slang or completely lost, phrases like “rizz,” “slay,” and “no cap” have become pervasive, appearing in conversations, memes, and TikTok captions. But where does slang come from, and how does it evolve so quickly?
In 2025, slang is more than a set of trendy words—it’s a cultural phenomenon shaped by social media, gaming, and online communities. Expressions like “ate,” “lowkey”, and “crash out” not only reflect identity but also build connections and spread globally at the speed of a viral post. The internet has accelerated the spread of slang, allowing new terms to reach massive audiences faster than ever before.
Historically, slang mirrored social trends, but platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram have dramatically sped up its reach. Words like “rizz” (short for charisma) and “mid” (meaning “average” or “uninspiring”) often originate in niche communities before going viral. Linguists like Dr. Ben Zimmer note that the rapid adoption of slang today is driven by influencers, memes, and hashtags, which make terms universally accessible in mere hours. What once took years for slang to spread now takes days or even hours, changing the way language evolves.
On Williston’s campus, it’s hard to go a day without hearing phrases like “I fear,” “that was gross,” and “it’s giving.” These terms weren’t around a few months ago, yet they’ve quickly embedded themselves into the daily lexicon.
Sophomore Addie Eakin explains how quickly slang changes: “Sometimes, I don’t even realize a phrase has gone out of style until I hear someone else using it. One day, everyone’s saying rizz, and the next, it’s replaced with something else. It’s almost like slang is always evolving to stay relevant.” This constant reinvention highlights how slang does more than just communicate—it serves as a tool for connection and a marker of belonging within Gen Z communities.
This fluidity of language also speaks to the larger role slang plays in shaping identity. It fosters a sense of inclusion—the more in-the-know you are, the more connected you feel. But the fast turnover of slang also means that trends are fleeting; as soon as one phrase fades, another quickly takes its place. For international students, keeping up with slang can be especially challenging.
Rinka Okuno, a senior boarder from Tokyo Japan, explains how hard it can be for international students to navigate slang: “When international students first come here, they often feel cut off because they don’t understand. Slang is tricky because a lot of it is idiomatic. If you don’t understand the idiom, it’s hard to keep up.”
She recalls watching Mean Girls when she first arrived, trying to catch up on cultural references. “There’s a line where someone says, ‘You can’t sit with us.’ That’s how slang can feel—like you’re not part of the group if you don’t know it.”
The pressure to learn the latest slang can be overwhelming for international students. “It’s like there’s an invisible barrier—you’re trying to understand, but it takes time to decode all the new phrases and references,” Rinka explains.
For those adjusting to a new culture, slang becomes a reminder that fitting in requires more than just learning the language—it means keeping up with ever-changing cultural markers that dictate inclusion.
Ms. Tancrell-Fontaine (TF), an English teacher at Williston, reflects on how slang used to evolve more slowly. “It wasn’t that long ago,” she shares, “there wasn’t TikTok back then, so these things didn’t spread as fast. Slang like ‘that was sick’ or ‘that was wicked’ stuck around longer.” She points out that slang is also age-dependent.
“Even middle schoolers use different slang than high schoolers. Hearing some of the things they say, I can tell it’s not the same as what you all use.” As someone who isn’t as heavily involved in social media, Ms. TF admits, “I have to ask for clarification sometimes because I don’t always pick up on it.”
While slang can help foster creativity and connection, the rapid turnover can also create miscommunication and online exclusivity. This fluidity is both exciting and telling—a snapshot of the cultural moment, always shifting with the times.
In the end, its cultural significance goes beyond just communication. As Ms. TF puts it, “Slang is a reflection of what’s going on and the influences at that moment.” But for international students, understanding slang is particularly challenging. They’re not only decoding language but also learning the culture behind it—something that takes time.
Will expressions like “rizz” and “slay” stand the test of time, or will they fade into obscurity, as so many slang terms have before them? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: slang in the digital age is more than just a passing trend. It’s a reflection of our fast-paced, constantly evolving cultural landscape.
