There are certain moments when I’m reminded that language is alive. Not in a poetic, literary sense, but in a very real, slightly chaotic, TikTok-comment-section kind of way.
Of course, as someone who loves writing, I’ve always paid attention to words. I like the rhythm of them, the meaning behind them, the way they evolve. But lately, I’ve found a different kind of joy, something a little less serious and a lot more fun: slang.
And not just any slang. TikTok slang.
To make sure I didn’t embarrass myself publicly, I ran all of this by my teenage son for approval. Think of him as the official editor of cultural relevance.
Here are a few of my current favorites:
W = Win
Simple. Clean. Efficient.
If something is good, impressive, or just generally working in your favor, it’s a “W.”
Example: You find a parking spot right in front of the store. W.
You make dinner and it actually tastes good. W.
You mind your business all day and avoid unnecessary drama. Big W.
Peak
This one feels dramatic in the best way.
“Peak” is used when something is at its absolute best, or sometimes when something is so unfortunate it almost circles back to being iconic.
Example: A perfectly timed joke. Peak humor.
A flawless outfit. Peak.
Life going just a little too smoothly… suspiciously peak.
Mid
The quiet insult. The understated shade.
“Mid” means something is… fine. Not terrible, not amazing, just aggressively average.
Example: That movie everyone hyped up? Mid.
The restaurant with the long wait? Mid.
Your effort on a Monday morning? Also mid, and that’s okay.
You’re Cooked
Now this one… this one is my favorite.
“You’re cooked” means it’s over. Done. No coming back from it. You have, in fact, been metaphorically placed in the oven and the timer has gone off.
Example: You send a risky text and see “read” with no response. You’re cooked.
You forget an important deadline. Cooked.
You try to argue with someone who came prepared with receipts. Fully cooked.
What I love about all of this is how playful it is. We’re constantly creating new ways to say old things. Winning, losing, thriving, failing, being average, being exceptional, it’s all the same human experience, just dressed up in new language.
There’s something kind of comforting about that.
So here’s my gentle encouragement: have fun with words. Try them on. Say something a little differently. Let language feel light again.
And if you use one wrong, don’t worry.
According to my son, you’re only slightly cooked.
Tell me your favorite slang word….Keep it clean:)
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