YOUR GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THESE POP CULTURE PHRASES

Are you behind with slang and pop culture phrases? Don’t worry, Anelitha Hiti has got you covered on a few updated terms to start using.

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As time goes on, words seem to be getting shorter, with sentences being abbreviated to nothing but single letters. The younger generation dominates modern-day slang on social media platforms with their short, casual cues that we're slowly picking up and adopting to use in our everyday lives. Here are some key phrases worth noting:

Ate and left no crumbs (Verb)

• Meaning: To outdo yourself in something (usually in reference to one's appearance e.g. a make-up look, hairstyle or wearing/ putting together an outfit) without any mistakes.
• Example: “She ate that look and left no crumbs.”
• Synonym: To execute something flawlessly.

SHE ATE THAT LOOK, AND LEFT NO CRUMBS

Lit (Adjective)

• Meaning: To cause excitement. 'Lit' refers to something being memorable in a good way.
• Example: “Are you going to Rocking the Daisies this year? It’s gonna be lit!”
• Synonym: Awesome, amazing.

Understood the assignment (Phrase)

• Meaning: Used to admire / acknowledge a person's efforts in giving it their all. Saying they “understood the assignment” means that person is on top of their game (often in reference to fashion or style) and excelled in their execution of something.
• Example: “The theme for the event was French chic and Lisa definitely understood the assignment – her beret was everything!”
• Synonym: To excel in doing something.

Periodt (Interjection)

• Meaning: To emphasise the end of the point being made. It can also mean you are in agreement with something.
• Example: “His food was the best I've had in a while. And that's on periodt.”
• Synonym: End of story, you can say that again.

ATP / At this point (Abbreviation)

• Meaning: Used to express a current situation in a text or on social media.
• Example: “I’m really so exhausted atp, I can’t even think properly.”
• Synonym: Currently or right now.

For real, fr (Phrase)

• Meaning: To show disbelief or agreement with someone during a conversation. Also to ask if what was said is true.
• Example: “I just got a promotion to become manager at work.” “Fr? That's amazing, congrats!”
• Synonym: Really/seriously.

NGL / Not gonna lie (Abbreviation)

• Meaning: To admit to something one might consider strange. Also to make a complaint so the statement is more valid or less offensive.
• Example: “Ngl, the new McDonald’s chillies cheese fries are not good.”
• Synonym: To be honest.

Rent-free (Adverb)

• Meaning: To obsessively think about something or someone, often without the person's acknowledgement. The whole idea is that it lives in your head (Rent-free) with no real reason.
• Example: “That new Philips air fryer from Bash has been living rent-free in my mind all week.”
• Synonym: Unprovoked.

Extra (Adjective) 

• Meaning: Refers to someone or something that is grabbing too much attention or being dramatic. To overreact in certain situations.
• Example: “You don’t have to be so extra about it!”
• Synonym: Excessive or unnecessary.

Vibe check (Noun)

• Meaning: A litmus test for the mood or energy attributed to a person or place. It’s a way of finding out if someone is okay, how they make you feel or checking the atmosphere in a particular place.
• Example: “I just met Hannah and I don’t think she passed the vibe check.”
• Synonym: The energy test.

Woke (Adjective) 

• Meaning: To be alert and aware of your surroundings by taking note of important things being said.
• Example: “You are so woke on social and political issues.”
• Synonym: Aware or conscious.

GOAT / Greatest of all time (Noun)

• Meaning: Refers to someone who is the best at what they do in their field or any particular skill.
• Example: “Lewis Hamilton is the GOAT in Formula One!”
• Synonym: Best or great.

By: Anelitha Hiti
Illustration: Shutterstock