Ever wished you had a Teen Slang Decoding Guide every time your teenager dropped words like ‘finstas,’ ‘moots,’ or ‘bussin’ in conversation?
Well, grab a cuppa, folks, because we’re about to tackle the most baffling online lingo head-on.
In a new survey by Tesco Mobile, researchers uncovered 22 of the most head-scratching terms rattling around the internet these days.
The biggest offender is “finsta”—a secret, heavily curated Instagram account that many teens keep just out of their parents’ reach. In fact, one in four teenagers (27%) confessed to having a hidden profile, which might explain why so many parents feel about as lost as a golf ball in a sand trap when scrolling social media.
Take “GRWM,” for instance, short for “get ready with me.” It sounds friendly enough but can leave an unsuspecting mom or dad mightily confused.
Then there’s “poggers,” a celebration term that’s as spirited as a championship fist pump. Meanwhile, “moots” are mutual followers, “OOTD” stands for “outfit of the day,” and “clappered” means someone is worn out—kind of like a caddie after 36 holes in July.
This parental bewilderment isn’t exactly surprising, especially when you consider that 37% of teens think their folks are actively snooping on them via social media—enough to drive some to create “spam” accounts where they post only the PG stuff.
Throw in the fact that a third of these kids tweak privacy settings to keep prying eyes out, and it’s clear parents need all the help they can get just to keep up.
Emma Herridge, Marketing Director at Tesco Mobile, which led the study, put it bluntly: “Parents want to keep their kids safe, and these days that means bridging a digital gap.
Our research shows just how much activity goes unnoticed. By fostering open conversations, families can feel more at ease navigating the virtual world together.”
To make things a little smoother, Tesco Mobile teamed up with Internet Matters to create the Little Digital Help toolkit, packed with practical tips on parental controls and online safety.
They’ve also rolled out handy conversation starters, giving moms and dads a straightforward way to ask their teens the big questions—like what exactly it means when they say they’re “mid,” “bet,” or “ratioed.”
Internet Matters Content Lead, Sheena Peckham, encourages parents to keep the lines of communication open: “We recommend talking to your kids early and often about their online life.
Simple steps like using built-in supervision tools and ensuring their devices have the right apps and settings can go a long way.”
For quick reference, here’s the full breakdown—our unofficial “Teen Slang Decoding Guide” in plain English—guaranteed to boost your cred if you’re ever feeling as mystified as a weekend golfer facing a tricky bunker shot:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Finsta | Fake Instagram account |
| GRWM | Get Ready With Me |
| Poggers | Expresses enthusiasm |
| Moots | Mutual followers |
| OOTD | Outfit Of The Day |
| CL / ICL | Can’t lie / I can’t lie |
| Ratioed | More negative responses than positive |
| Touch grass | Spend more time offline |
| NPC | Non-player character; someone lacking independent thought |
| ASMR | Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response — a tingling response to certain sounds/visuals |
| N00b | Newbie |
| Rizz | Someone’s style or charm |
| Aura | Cool, confident vibe |
| Cap / No Cap | Telling a lie / Not lying |
| Goated | The Greatest Of All Time |
| BRAT | Confidently rebellious, bold, and defiant |
| Clout | Power, influence, popularity |
| Bussin’ | Exciting |
| Snatched | Looking stylish or attractive |
| Bet | Expressing agreement |
| Mid | Mediocre, average |
| Drip | Sharp outfit or accessory |
With these translations in your back pocket, you’ll be ready the next time your teen sends you into a spin with “cap,” “drip,” or “ootd.”
Now go forth, dear parents, and chat with your kids like you’re the coolest caddie on the course—because knowledge, much like a trusty putter, can help you navigate even the trickiest hazards. Happy decoding!