Language evolves fast, and Gen Z doesn’t just speak a new dialect—they’ve basically created a whole new internet-fuelled universe of phrases, reactions, and vibes.
If you’re still using certain words or expressions you thought were timeless, there’s a decent chance you’ve already been silently judged. It’s not personal—just generational. So if you’re wondering why a teenager side-eyed you at the coffee shop, it might be because you casually dropped one of these now-extinct phrases. Here are 17 things that practically scream, “I still remember dial-up.”
1. “Cool beans!”
This one’s been clinging on for dear life since the ‘90s, but to Gen Z, it sounds like something your overly enthusiastic PE teacher might say. It’s quirky, it’s wholesome, and it’s wildly out of date. These days, if something’s cool, you’re better off just saying “slay” or “valid” or even just a dry “bet.” Saying “cool beans” is like turning up to a rave in Crocs. (Actually… Crocs might be fine. The phrase, not so much.)
2. “Netflix and chill”
Once the cheekiest euphemism of the 2010s, this one’s now a cultural relic. Gen Z knows what it used to mean, but at this point, it’s like referencing MySpace—you’re giving away your age without even realising. Besides, they’ve moved on to much more subtle (or chaotic) ways to say the same thing. If you’re still saying this unironically, prepare for polite smiles and quiet cringe.
3. “YOLO”
Ah yes, the rallying cry of reckless decisions everywhere. YOLO had its moment in the sun circa 2012, but saying it now feels like you’re trying to summon the ghost of peak Instagram filter culture. Gen Z is all about being unbothered and nihilistic in a completely different way. They won’t yell YOLO. They’ll just shrug and say, “It is what it is,” then dye their eyebrows bleach blonde.
4. “Talk to the hand”
Using this phrase is the verbal equivalent of owning a flip phone and thinking it’s still cutting edge. Gen Z has never used this in real life unless they were being ironic or quoting a millennial aunt on Facebook. If you really want to shut someone down now, all you need is a deadpan look, a slow blink, or a well-timed “anyway.” The hand, tragically, no longer has authority.
5. “Epic fail”
This phrase had a solid run during the early internet meme era, but Gen Z prefers their cringe in silence. Saying “epic fail” now feels like quoting Vine in a TikTok world—it’s not wrong, it’s just… expired. Instead, they’ll go with “that’s rough,” “not the vibe,” or a subtle side-eye emoji. The drama is still there—it’s just quieter and more stylishly delivered.
6. “All the feels”
Sure, it got us through Tumblr in 2013, but Gen Z isn’t as into emotional outpourings that sound like hashtags. They express feelings with a single tear emoji, a meme, or by just disappearing for 48 hours. If you say “all the feels,” you might as well be wearing a flower crown and quoting “The Fault in Our Stars.” Beautiful in its time, but its time has passed.
7. “You go, girl”
This one’s harmless, but it definitely triggers a mental image of someone wearing bootcut jeans and cheering during a makeover montage. It’s cute, but very “aunt who owns wine-themed dish towels.” Gen Z prefers hyping each other up with things like “you ate” or “she’s mother.” If you’re still in “you go, girl” territory, you’re probably not keeping up with TikTok speech evolutions, and that’s okay. Just don’t expect it to land.
8. “I did a thing”
There was a time when this phrase announced haircuts, engagements, and DIY disasters. Now, it feels like you’re trying to soft-launch excitement through passive language, and Gen Z isn’t having it. They’re much more direct, and they don’t need to apologise for existing. If you “did a thing,” just post it with confidence. No need to downplay it like it’s a secret shame from Pinterest circa 2011.
9. “Sorry not sorry”
This was sass at its finest a decade ago, but now it just feels like it’s trying too hard. Gen Z doesn’t apologise for petty things—they’ll just do it and keep scrolling. If you’re going to be unapologetic, own it. Don’t wrap it in a phrase that sounds like it came from a throw pillow in a home goods store.
10. “Cray cray”
Unless you’re doing a full impression of someone from 2010, this phrase has definitely passed its sell-by date. It was fun, it was zany, and now it makes you sound like you’re quoting early YouTube culture. Gen Z will just say “unhinged” or “feral” now—terms that somehow sound cooler and also slightly more terrifying. “Cray cray” is now officially just cringe cringe.
11. “Winning”
If you say this, people will immediately hear it in Charlie Sheen’s voice, and not in a good way. It’s a cultural reference Gen Z may not even fully get, and if they do, they’d prefer to forget. Nowadays, if something’s going well, Gen Z is more likely to say “W” or just hit you with a confident “period.” No exclamation marks necessary.
12. “Can’t even”
This phrase had its moment during the peak of pumpkin spice and oversized scarves. But now, it sounds like you’re halfway through writing a BuzzFeed quiz from 2014. Gen Z still experiences emotional overwhelm—they just express it with a single “help” or a thousand-yard stare on BeReal. The drama’s still alive, but it’s gone minimalist.
13. “Totes”
“Totes amazing,” “totes awkward,” “totes adorbs”—once upon a time, shortening every word felt fresh. But to Gen Z, it just sounds like satire—and if they say it, it’s definitely ironic. If you’re still using “totes” unironically, you might as well start handing out business cards that say “Certified Millennial Since Birth.”
14. “Awesomesauce”
This word had an oddly strong grip on the late 2000s, but Gen Z has absolutely banished it. There’s something about combining food imagery with enthusiasm that just doesn’t fly anymore. They’re much more likely to react with “slaps,” “fire,” or just “dead” (in the good way). Leave “awesomesauce” in the archives where it belongs—with jelly shoes and live-tweeting “Glee.”
15. “No worries if not”
This one’s more recent, but it’s already getting called out. Gen Z sees right through the fake chill energy. It’s often used when people are scared to ask for something directly, and younger people have clocked it as peak people-pleaser behaviour. They prefer just saying what they want. Directness is in. Being vague and overly polite? That’s very “email from a millennial boss.”
16. “#Blessed”
Hashtag culture is already on the way out, but this one has become especially mockable. What used to be a humblebrag is now just a neon sign flashing, “I’ve been on Facebook since 2008.” If you’re feeling grateful, Gen Z prefers something lowkey like “feeling lucky” or no caption at all. Irony speaks louder than hashtags these days.
17. “Adulting”
This phrase was once relatable and funny—back when we were all shocked we could make dentist appointments and buy avocados. However, Gen Z grew up in chaos. They don’t romanticise being functional; they just do it… or don’t, without turning it into a whole thing. Say this out loud now, and you might as well be announcing that you just discovered paying bills is a thing. To them, it’s giving “millennial with a mug that says coffee is my spirit animal.”
