There’s nothing more embarrassing than trying to be “hip” or “cool” and using new-age slang that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
That’s why we all collectively shook our heads when Christopher Luxon decided to give Generation Alpha’s “brainrot” style of speech a go in a video posted to Instagram and TikTok.
“Straight up, we’re getting New Zealand back on track, no cap. The phone ban in schools ate, and it left no crumbs. See the lack of regional fuel tax? It’s giving back on track. Delivering tax relief has so much rizz, Nicola Willis understood the assignment. Slay.”
The reaction was mixed, with most people left cringing from second-hand embarrassment. It’s giving don’t ever do that again.
New slang comes with every generation, and Generation Alpha, born after 2010, has a particularly peculiar way of speaking.
Often described as “chronically online” language, many of their words and phrases originate from TikTok, giving rise to terms like “sigma” (a more humble variation of “alpha”), “rizz” (used to describe how good someone is at wooing or courting), and “skibidi,” which I think means bad.
Even as a 22-year-old, I find it hard to keep up with what’s being said.
As the kids say, “this would put a Victorian child into a coma” (whatever that means).
