This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will earn a few pennies. Thanks!
Reading your middle schooler’s texts or emails can be like deciphering a foreign language. With abbreviations and middle school slang that is outside your lexicon, things can get lost in the translation. Keep up with the lingo with these basic middle school terms you should know.
GOAT
Your kid doesn’t want to go to the petting zoo; they’re talking about the “greatest of all time”. Lebron James often gets this title in basketball circles, but you may hear this phrase referring to someone in their friendship circle as well.
TBH
To be honest. . .this phrase seems harmless, but kids will ask for TBH responses on social media. They can be kind (i.e. “I don’t know you that well, but you seem really cool.”), but whenever the license for open criticism is given behind a screen, words can come out that don’t always land with good intention.
AF
When your middle school child refers to something as cool af or savage (aka bada**) af, the f word following as is a four letter word. This short phrase is popular on t-shirts, social media, and in everyday conversations. Talk to your child about appropriate language use and be aware of clothing choices that uses this phrase. Curse words within their peer group are bound to happen but advertising it on their social media accounts or physical person may not be the best choice.
OOTD
If your kid is snapping or instagramming their “OOTD” it’s simply their “outfit of the day”. Checking out how your child expresses their personality and individuality through their OOTD can be a basis for conversation about feeling comfortable in their own skin.
Squad
Your child’s close group of friends is their squad. Having someone say “squad goals” about your kid and their friend group is the ultimate compliment. It means that they are a tight knit group that really have a strong bond.
Parental Alerts
When a child is texting their friend “9”, it’s a notification that their parents are nearby or in the house. “99” means that their parents are gone. Be alert to these numbers if your child or their friends are planning some unsupervised gatherings.
Ultimately, middle school slang will change as often as your child’s OOTD, but you can help alleviate any lost in translation messages by communicating with your child IRL (in real life).
Keep up with middle school, real life interests, with these popular YA novels. You’ll enjoy reading them with your child as well!
The Hate U
One of UsWonderReady Player One:High HeatTook: A GhostPeak (A PeakWalk Two MoonsEverything, EverythingPaper Towns
