Gen Z might not use “bandwidth” and “don’t boil the ocean” in their everyday work jargon, but they’re bringing phrases of their own to the office table. Here are some of the most popular sayings — and emojis — Gen Z is likely to use in the workplace.
B
Basic
Mainstream or unoriginal.
Did you see X Company’s Instagram reel? It got a ton of likes, but it seemed kind of basic to me.
Big Yikes
Embarrassing; “ouch.”
I accidentally sent an email meant for you to my boss. Big yikes.
C
Cancel/Canceled
To stop supporting someone because of their unethical behavior.
I saw that the company fired employees who told people to go out and vote on their social media — it’s canceled.
CEO
Not literally the chief executive officer, but the best at.
She’s the CEO of viral TikToks. I wish we had her on the marketing team.
D
Dead
Often used as “I’m dead” to mean you find something hilarious.
Did you see they tried to promote the company with a TikTok trend from two years ago? I’m dead.
E
Extra
Over the top; dramatic.
He wants us to present the slides and do a separate recording of them? That’s so extra.
F
Finesse
Tweak or do something tactfully, skillfully, or cleverly.
I’ll send my cover letter draft to you by EOD — I just need to finesse it a bit first.
Fire
Great, amazing, exciting.
That graphic you made for Instagram was fire. Nice work!
Fr
For real; true, valid.
If I don’t get that job after the hiring manager spent the entire Zoom interview complimenting me, I’m going to be upset fr.
Flex
Show off.
Can’t wait to flex my presentation skills at the all-hands meeting on Tuesday; they won’t know what hit them.
G
Girlboss
A woman who acts as her own boss, though the term has evolved since its inception to take on both positive and negative connotations. For Gen Zers, typically used ironically as a hard-working person who puts work before anything else. Both a noun and verb.
I’ve been putting in 12-hour days this week. I’m in my girlboss era.
H
Highkey
Very, really, definitely; opposite of lowkey.
I highkey want that promotion but I’ve already made it clear to my boss, like, five times.
Hits different
Experiencing something that feels different or new compared to before.
My afternoon iced latte hits different after that networking event this morning.
I
It’s the ___ for me
Referring to something that stands out about a person, thing or situation; can be used as either an insult or a compliment.
Not X Company running an ad about climate change when they’re literally ruining the environment. It’s the hypocrisy for me.
L
Lowkey
On the downlow; secretly, understatedly.
I lowkey want to volunteer for the social committee, but I haven’t spoken to anyone on it.
Lives rent-free in my head
Something you can’t stop thinking about.
That new jingle from Company Z’s ad lives rent-free in my head.
S
Stan
To be a fan of; liking something a lot.
Did you see Y Company’s new plus-size fashion campaign? We stan.
Sending me
Finding something hilarious; see “dead.”
The gif she sent in #watercooler-chats is sending me.
Sus
Suspicious
Company X announced an influencer campaign last month, but today the influencers they were supposed to work with took down their sponsored posts. I wonder why — isn’t that a little sus?
T
Tea
Gossip, news, or juicy information. Frequently used in “spilling the tea,” when sharing loaded information.
Did you attend the strategic planning meeting on Monday? Spill the tea.
V
Vibe
Feeling, atmosphere
If I want to do a vibe check on a company before applying, I’ll look at their ratings on Glassdoor.
W
W
A win.
I’m so glad sales got the W with that deal last week; things were looking bleak before then.
Emojis
😂
Gen Z’s enemy when it comes to emojis. Reserved for their millennial counterparts.
😭
Hilarious.
💀
Hilarious; see “dead.”
Are you a Gen Zer who needs a guide to the corporate jargon everyone else uses at work? Check out corporate jargon Gen Z should know.
This article originally appeared on TheForage.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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5 money lessons millennials can learn from Gen Z
Millennials have a bad reputation when it comes to money. Student loan debt has left many of them in a difficult financial situation. As a result, they often delay major life milestones like buying a house and having kids.
Gen Z, the generation below them (anyone born after 1997), has watched this happen and improved the way they manage their money. Here are five money lessons millennials can learn from Gen Z.
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Compared to millennials, Gen Z makes more of an effort to save their hard earned cash. More than half (57%) of Gen Z would rather save their money than spend it immediately, according to a survey by Earnst and Young.
“Gen Z views debt as a social shame and strives to save money where and when they can,” explained Ethan Taub, CEO of Goalry, a financial marketplace.
Millennials can follow in Gen Z’s footsteps and make it a priority to save. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways they can do just that. If you live alone, splitting housing costs with a roommate or two can be helpful. This is particularly true if you live in a high-rent city like New York City or San Francisco.
There are also ways to save money daily. For example swapping restaurant lunches for brown bag lunches. For prolonged saving methods, you can use fintech apps to automate savings. As long as you get creative and stay committed to your savings goals, you have a good chance at success.
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Many millennials are unaware of online money-making opportunities. About a quarter (22%) of Gen Z say they make money online, according to a new report by Lexington Law.
For example, if you like to write, you can start a blog and earn cash via affiliate marketing, product sales and banner ads. If you’re crafty, you can sell handmade items on Etsy.
Here’s how to sell your unwanted items online.
Another option is to design websites or test them. When it comes to making money online, there are countless opportunities out there. With some time, internet connection and dedication, millennials can use the online world to help meet their financial goals.
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A side hustle is a way to make money outside of your full-time job. Some of the most lucrative ones include freelance writing, running Facebook ads for local businesses and virtual assisting.
While most side hustles require a lot of time, there are some passive opportunities that busy millennials may be able to pursue. You can rent out a car, host out of town guests in a part of your home or invest in crowdfunded real estate.
No matter which side hustle you choose, the extra money can make it easier to pay down debt, pad an emergency fund and save for a down payment on a house.
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Almost anything can be negotiated — energy bills, insurance products, internet contracts, and even how much you earn. While many millennials may just accept and pay the price they’re given, Gen Z tries to do their research, compare prices and negotiate.
Millennials can reduce their expenses and increase cash flow by doing the same. You can create a budget and start by jotting down all of your recurring bills and how much they cost you. Then, you can do some research and find out if competitors offer better rates.
If you find you’re paying more than you should be, you can call your service providers and inform them of your findings. When asking for lower rates, it’s important that they remain firm and polite. Just remember that negotiating can take time, but if done well, can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars down the road.
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Gen Z is often more conservative with their investments than millennials and other generations that came before them. “They tend to go for smaller but more consistent wins and are likely to see their efforts pay off over time” said Dallen Haws, financial planner at Haws Financial Planning.
Investing consistently into a well-diversified portfolio may not be as “sexy” as telling your friends you’ve invested in the “next Amazon,” it’s proven to work, said Haws. If you can be consistent and steady with your investments rather than looking for win-the-lottery opportunities, you can thrive.
This article originally appeared in Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Featured Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock.
