Is it all just gibberish? Like almost every generation before them, Gen Alpha now has its own language. But some critics think their unique vocabulary shows young people spend too much time online.
What the sigma! Top slang revealed
Is it all just gibberish? Like almost every generation before them, Gen Alpha now has its own language. But some critics think their unique vocabulary shows young people spend too much time online.
How many of these words or phrases do you recognise? Mog. Sus. Cap. Negative aura. Fanum tax. If you scored five out of five, congratulations! You might well be a member of Gen AlphaPeople born between 2010 and 2025. .
As this generation grows older, it has started to develop its own slang. For instance, Fanum tax refers to Fanum, a popular content creator on TwitchA video streaming service which broadcasts video game livestreams and esports competitions. . When friends are eating in Fanum's presence, he insists that they share their food. That is the "tax" they have to pay.1
The same is true for the word "sigma". It originally developed in right-wingSometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government. forums to describe men who travel their own path. It was based on an out-of-date theory about packs of wolves: alphas rise to the top of the pack, whereas sigmas reject any company to become a "lone wolf".2 But now Gen Alpha has claimed the term, meaning someone popular, cool, or self-sufficient.
Some critics think that Gen Alpha's slang is "often nicheA very specific thing. and insularInward looking, and uninterested in other cultures or ideas. to the internet".3 After all, 65% of this generation pass four or more hours a day on social media.4
But communicating meaning is not always the purpose of slang. It can also be used for "communicating attitudes and cementing relationships".5 This is the argument of linguistSomeone who studies the development and workings of languages. Some linguists study how modern languages work, while others study how languages developed historically; still others try to translate ancient languages. Julie Coleman, who points out that private and colloquialLanguage used in ordinary conversations, rather than formal settings. languages are common among minority communities. They bind the community closer together, while separating them from the mainstream.
Slang is often considered informal. When a writing a school essay, or sending a work email, slang might cause confusion and even offence. Yet in other contexts slang can be a sign of creativity: using language in an original or unexpected way. For this reason, another respected linguist called Anne Curzan refers to slang as "the people's poetry".6
When it comes to children and teenagers, words like sigma, skibidi and rizz allow them to move away from their family and closer to their peers. While parents might be confused by these expressions, adopting slang, experts say, is an important stage of growing up. By developing their own language, they argue, Gen Alpha is developing its own identity too.
Is it all just gibberish?
Yes: Gen Alpha have grown up online and spend record amounts of time on social media. Their slang is based on memesA funny image, video, text or idea etc that is shared quickly online. , streamers and influencers - no wonder it sounds so strange.
No: Slang is not meant to communicate meaning so much as a sense of belonging. That is why you find slang in schools, prisons, online communities and among so many young people.
Or... Slang may be informal, but it is also inventive, because every new generation creates a new language. By coming up with original words and phrases, Gen Alpha is making its own identity.
Gen Alpha - People born between 2010 and 2025.
Twitch - A video streaming service which broadcasts video game livestreams and esports competitions.
Right-wing - Sometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government.
Niche - A very specific thing.
Insular - Inward looking, and uninterested in other cultures or ideas.
Linguist - Someone who studies the development and workings of languages. Some linguists study how modern languages work, while others study how languages developed historically; still others try to translate ancient languages.
Colloquial - Language used in ordinary conversations, rather than formal settings.
Memes - A funny image, video, text or idea etc that is shared quickly online.
What the sigma! Top slang revealed

Glossary
Gen Alpha - People born between 2010 and 2025.
Twitch - A video streaming service which broadcasts video game livestreams and esports competitions.
Right-wing - Sometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government.
Niche - A very specific thing.
Insular - Inward looking, and uninterested in other cultures or ideas.
Linguist - Someone who studies the development and workings of languages. Some linguists study how modern languages work, while others study how languages developed historically; still others try to translate ancient languages.
Colloquial - Language used in ordinary conversations, rather than formal settings.
Memes - A funny image, video, text or idea etc that is shared quickly online.