GenZ slang and narrative voice

Published over 2 years ago • 2 min read

Hey, Reader!

I have two (incredibly sweet) teenage nephews. They took pity on their dear ol' Aunt Michelle and explained a few slang words that kids their age use but that I might not know.

They proceeded to define a handful of words that I had literally never heard before in my life. Since this tutorial was highly entertaining—and you never know when it could come in handy—I wanted to pass it along.

Are these words nouns, verbs, adjectives? No idea. I'm giving you (roughly) the examples they gave me.

Rizz - to charm a love interest

  • Plausible use: He's over there rizzin' on that girl.

Dip - to leave a place

  • Plausible use: I gotta dip early.

Bussin' - delicious

  • Plausible use: These taquitos are bussin'.
  • Ironic/humorous use (rare): Your shoes are bussin'. (Obviously, I'm not going to eat them, but I sure am drooling over them.)

Cap - lie

  • Plausible use: That's cap. You're cappin'. (That's a lie. You're lying.)
  • Alternatively: No cap! (It's true!)

There you go. A public service announcement for all individuals born before 2005.

Even though my nephews gave me permission to use these words in my everyday life, I promised that I wouldn't. It would feel wrong. Like cussing.

This got me thinking about one of the things I love about books. I love slipping into a foreign tongue...one that I can understand but that I'd never use in a million years.

I'm talking about narrative voice.

I’m not going to murmur sweet nothings to my husband in iambic pentameter like Juliet. I’m not going to twang ornery sass like Huck. I’m not going to address my coworkers in high, heroic prose like Aragorn. Wit won’t flow effortlessly from my lips like it does for Elizabeth Bennet.

But it sure is fun to have these varied voices in my head for a time.

Here are a few books with a strong (and, in some cases, irresistible) narrative voice.

And a few titles for the kiddos that really are fun to read as an adult. There's something about YA and middle-grade novels...they tend to bring on some colorful narrative voice to capture young imaginations.

The entrance

of thy words giveth light;
it giveth understanding unto the simple.
–Psalm 119:130

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As always, I'll leave you with one irresistible indulgence—this Christmas ornament is Aslan-approved.

Your devoted,

Michelle

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