Do You Remember Talking Like This? 90s Slang vs Today’s TikTok Talk

By Ian Primmer — CommonX Podcast

If you ever shouted “Take a chill pill!” out a rolled-down car window while Stone Temple Pilots blasted from the stereo, congratulations — you survived an era where you could say “bogus,” “rad,” and “home skillet” in the same sentence and nobody questioned your grip on reality. Meanwhile, the youth today are apparently communicating through a combination of Fortnite dances, soundboard memes, and words that sound like rejected Pokémon names.

Language evolves. We evolved with it — usually with a beer in one hand and a look of deep confusion in the other.

Let’s break down the slang then vs. now, and laugh at how gloriously weird it all is.

THEN: The 80s/90s Slang That Raised Us

Rad

Translation: “I approve of this thing with my entire soul.”

Usage: “Those JNCOs are rad, bro.”

Bonus: Still acceptable — especially when spoken in the presence of a skateboard.

Gnarly

Translation: Could mean everything from “awesome” to “oh God, that was traumatic.”

Usage: “Dude, that fall was gnarly.”

“Dude, that wave was gnarly.”

Outcome: Confusion for anyone born after 2005.

Take a Chill Pill

Translation: You’re losing your mind and need to relax before someone calls your mom.

Usage: Every parent in 1994.

Talk to the Hand

Translation: “I no longer acknowledge your existence.”

Usage: Practically every teenage girl at least once.

Side effect: Nobody ever actually shut up because of this phrase.

As If!

Translation: A weaponized version of “Nope.”

Usage: Perfected by Alicia Silverstone. Forever iconic.

Bogus

Translation: “This situation is unacceptable and I blame the universe.”

Certified by Bill & Ted, therefore eternal.

NOW: The Slang That Makes Us Rub Our Eyes and Stare at the Ceiling

Rizz

Translation: “Charisma,” shortened for people too exhausted to say the full word.

Usage: “Dude has mad rizz.”

Reaction: Us: “Rizz? Riz? Risotto?”

No Cap

Translation: “I’m telling the truth.”

Usage: “Pizza is the best food, no cap.”

Reaction: Us: “Son… I am wearing a hat. What exactly do you mean?”

Bet

Translation: “Okay.”

Usage: “You coming over?” “Bet.”

Reaction: Us: “Bet WHAT? Money? Beer? Are we gambling?”

Ghosting

Translation: Disappearing without explanation.

Usage: Dating apps. Job interviews. Your cousin who said he’d help you move.

Our translation: “We just never called people back.”

Drip

Translation: Style. Fashion. Fit.

Usage: “His fit has drip.”

Reaction: Us: “Drip used to mean your roof had a problem.”

Skibidi

Translation: No one knows. Not even Gen Z.

Usage: Something involving a toilet-sound meme and dancing characters.

Reaction: Sliding down in a chair whispering, “Make it stop…”

WHY SLANG EVOLVES

Slang is culture. Slang is rebellion. Slang is evolution.

We perfected sarcasm, deadpan humor, and the ability to say “whatever” without moving a single facial muscle. The next generations added:

• Internet speed

• Viral memes

• TikTok

• Emojis

• Sound effects

• Entire languages made of abbreviations

We walked so the kids today could yeet.

THE COMMON-X TAKE

At Common-X, we celebrate language because it keeps conversations real, messy, human, and hilarious.

Whether you’re saying:

• “Dope”

• “No cap”

• “Rad”

• “Bet”

You’re speaking your generation’s truth — and honestly, it’s all ridiculous in the best possible way.

CLOSING

If you still say “sweet,” “killer,” or “awesome,” don’t worry — we do too.

We don’t age out.

We just get better playlists.