The top 10 slang terms to enter the chat in 2024 — and number one became a global sensation

These are some of the most searched slang terms of 2024.
These are some of the most searched slang terms of 2024.

Oh, word?

The top ten slang terms of the year have been revealed — are you prepared to feel old?

The Google search-based findings, gathered by Unscramblerer.com, reference notorious memes from 2024 — alongside lots of other terminology that will mostly sound like gibberish to non-Gen Alpha and Gen Z readers.

Many of the top slang words are based on viral memes like Hailey Welch’s “hawk tuah” incident. Tim & Dee TV
Many of the top slang words are based on viral memes like Hailey Welch’s “hawk tuah” incident. Tim & Dee TV

“The English language is ever changing. Every year new slang words are created. Many slang words are born through trending topics and viral videos on social media,” a representative for the online word game said.

Simply put, if you’ve finally figured out the meaning of the term “rizz,” abandon hope — it’s not even in the newly released top ten.

Here are the terms that helped to change the language this year.

10. Preen

A slang term for a child that acts or wears clothes like a teenager. It was searched 20,000 times.

9. Oeuvre

This French-based word, searched 25,000 times, refers to the repertoire of a musician, artist, or writer.

Some terms refer to people who consider themselves to be loners or independent thinkers. Garret Bautista – stock.adobe.com
Some terms refer to people who consider themselves to be loners or independent thinkers. Garret Bautista – stock.adobe.com

8. Katz

Sadly not a reference to the iconic Lower East Side deli, the word, searched 34,000 times, now means anything fun or entertaining.

7. Sen

A slang term for self — searched 50,000 times.

6. Schmaltz

Here’s a word older types will know — and it’s making a comeback among the young. For those who don’t know, it’s a Yiddish term referring to anything highly melodramatic or sentimental. It was searched 65,000 times.

Terms referring to melodrama were also included in the list. sebra – stock.adobe.com
Terms referring to melodrama were also included in the list. sebra – stock.adobe.com

5. Sobriquet

Gen Z thinks they’re so fancy. This other French term, which was searched 105,000 times, refers to a nickname or descriptive title of a person or thing.

4. Hawk Tuah

Search on that thang — 180,000 times. Hawk Tuah is the phonetic sound that online sensation Hailey Welch, forever now known as the Hawk Tuah Girl, made on camera when describing a sex act during a man-on-the-street interview.

3. Skibidi

Gen Alpha blows their lids by watching YouTube videos about a race of “Skibidi” human-toilet hybrids taking over the world.

The phase Skibidi — which became a popular Halloween costume — was searched 205,000 times.

The Skibidi toilet meme was also on the list. DaFuqBoom/YouTube
The Skibidi toilet meme was also on the list. DaFuqBoom/YouTube

2. Sigma

It may be all Greek to you, but sigma has more meaning nowadays. It refers to a lone wolf who doesn’t subscribe to traditional social roles and was searched 220,000 times.

1. Demure

Be extra mindful of this one. The modest meaning word became a worldwide hit on TikTok and led to a fashion trend of ladies dressing “very cutesy” yet gracefully reserved. It was searched 260,000 times.