Gen Z are known for their next level dislike of skinny jeans and side parts. In terms of dating,
hook-ups and fluid notions of intimacy is where it’s at. As the largest generation in history, their
perspectives on sex and pretty much everything has cultural significance for us all. Are they as
inclusive as we have been told?
I asked this question to twenty-three Gen Z undergraduate students who attend the university
where I work in London, Ontario. Their insights were fascinating! This article explores their
sexual slang and what it reveals about gender inclusivity.
A-Z of gen z slang
Sixty terms were identified and many of them reflect the tensions that exist between traditional
patriarchal ideas of sexuality and gender and more contemporary orientations.
1. ANIMALS- bears, otters, wolves, cubs- terms used in gay/queer cultures
2. BADDY- girls who sleep around, not full-on slut but close
3. BEAUT- short for “beauty”, used to refer mainly to attractive women
4. BIG DICK ENERGY- men who are sexually confident and exude major sexual vibes
5. BITCH- taken up by all genders in ‘playful’ ways, guys say “that’s my bitch” (“that’s my girl”)
6. BITCH BOI/Y- guy who’s too emotional, pathetic, girl-like or more feminine
7. BOO- boy/girlfriend, someone you’re seeing, or maybe also talking to
8. BODY COUNT- number of people slept with, typically used by men
9. BRO CULTURE- dominant masculine culture on campus: all about the boys, sex, party, fitness
10. BROAD- tomboy, don’t call guys on their shit, masculine but hot, no emotional attachment
11. BUTCH-re-appropriated term used by lesbian women, similar to “fag” among gay men
12. CUNT- sometimes used by men instead of ‘slut’
13. DATING- relationship that is significant and often exclusive
14. DUTTY- aka “dirty”, refers to a girl who sleeps around (Toronto term, specifically Jamaican)
15. DYKE- re-appropriated term used by lesbian women, similar to “fag” among gay men
16. EASY- girl who has lots of casual sex, sometimes used instead of “slut”
17. FAG- playful self-referential term used among gay/queer men (“aah fag”)
18. FAGGOTT- Toronto term for guy who’s not living up to masculine ideals
19. FUCK BOI/Y- term girls use for guy who’ll do anything to get laid, only fucking material
20. FWB (friends with benefits)- quite commonly used to refer to casual sex or DL relationship
21. GOING OUT- older term heard less frequently to refer to ‘seeing’ or ‘talking’ to someone
22. HEAD ASS- literally ‘head is in their ass’, when someone is so in love with another person
23. “HE’S SO GAY”- synonym for faggot and in some cases “sad/bitch boy”
24. HO-positive, non-sexual reference among women (“me & my hoes”); men can be “hos” too
25. HOOKUP- casual sex or sex
26. HOT GIRL SUMMER- living your best life, taking care of yourself, not taking shit, liberating
27. HOT ZONES- places where gay guys meet for sex
28. KILL COUNT- number of people slept with, typically used by men
29. LESBIAN- older term some gay women use for themselves, sometimes used derogatorily
30. MAG- London term when you throw up from drinking (“yo, I’m gonna go mag”)
31. NICE GUY- guy who’s actually not nice and turns on women if they don’t respond to him
32. PARTNER- used in queer community to formalize/normalize relationships
33. PLAYER- like a fuck boy, guy who fucks a lot
34. POST-NUT CLARITY- post-coital regret about sleeping with a woman
35. PUM- slang term for pussy
36. RELATIONSHIP- something elusive, feared, and significant; almost akin to “marriage”
37. SAD BOY/I- another term for “bitch boy”
38. “SATURDAY’S ARE FOR THE BOYS” or “she’s for the boys”- akin to “chill broad”
39. SCREWING- synonym for “having sex”, “seeing someone” or “talking”
40. SEEING SOMEONE- versus “boy/girlfriend”, although it’s often similar
41. SHIP- to vouch for, like “stan” and u want them to get together (“I ship X + Y so hard”)
42. SIGNIFICANT OTHER-instead of ‘boy/girlfriend’, used in particular contexts (formal, family)
43. SHORTY- Toronto term for female to hookup with
44. SIDE PIECE- girl on the side, someone guys go to just for sex
45. SLUT-derogatory term that is being re-appropriated by women (“Ima dress slutty tonight”)
46. STAN- to vouch for a couple or someone you want to “ship”
47. STUD- older term to refer to guys with sexual mojo or gay women with game
48. TALKING- earlier stages of “seeing someone”, can include hookups or FWB
49. t/T- drama and an exciting dating/romance prospect, type “t” for basic and “T” for intense
50. “THAT’S MY MAN”- something girls say instead of “he’s my boyfriend”
51. THING- another term for “seeing someone”
52. THOT- That Ho Over There and/or Thotianna by Blue Face, few people use it anymore
53. TING- slightly more significant than “thing” (Toronto term, specifically Jamaican)
54. TOXIC MASCULINITY- hyper-aggressive, sexist masculine displays
55. TRANNY- derogatory term for “transgender” used to be heard more often
56. TWINK- comical term for someone who is “gay and very outgoing about it”
57. VERSED- slang term for “versatile”, referring to a gay or bi guy who tops and bottoms
58. WHEELING- older term, slightly more juvenile and refers to early stages of “talking”
59. WHORE-demeaning term for women with multiple sexual partners, less common than “ho”
60. WIFEY- girl who’s long-term investment material (“she’s wifey”, “wifey that”)
wrapping up:
Varied and funny in some respects, the Gen Z lingo reveals three troubling themes: (1)
Privileging hypermasculinity (“big dick energy”; “kill count”), (2) Vilification of female sexuality
(“dutty”, “cunt”), and (3) Discriminating against gay men (“faggott”; “he’s so gay”). The
students don’t necessarily condone these terms, but they still circulate within local campus
culture.
One of the biggest takeaways from this study is the need to mobilize opportunities to talk about sex, intimacy, and how language itself can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and violence. In Canada and elsewhere, sexual education often takes place in elementary and high school, but not university. This needs to change.