Your 8-year-old just called dinner “bussin'” and asked if you’re “rizzing up” mom. Welcome to parenting in 2025, king.
Before you roll your eyes and mutter something about “back in my day,” hear me out. This isn’t just random gibberish your kids picked up from YouTube Shorts. It’s their language—and understanding it might be one of the most important things you do as a dad this year.
Every generation creates its own language. We had “cool” and “awesome.” Your parents probably cringed when you said “phat” was good. Now your kids are saying “no cap” means “no lie” and something “slaps” when it’s really good.
But here’s the thing, brother—language is connection. When you dismiss their words, you’re accidentally dismissing their world. And in an age when our kids are growing up faster than ever, those connection points matter more than we realize.
Your children are watching how you respond to their culture. Are you the dad who laughs with them or at them? Because they’ll remember.
Bussin’ – Something really good (usually food) “Dad, this pasta is absolutely bussin'”
Rizz – Charisma, especially with romantic interests “Did you see how Jake was rizzing up Sarah?”
No cap – No lie, for real “That test was hard, no cap”
Bet – Okay, sounds good, I agree “Can you take out the trash?” “Bet.”
Slaps – Something that’s really good (music, food, experiences) “This song absolutely slaps”
Sus – Suspicious, sketchy “That new teacher seems kinda sus”
Periodt – End of discussion, period (with emphasis) “I’m not cleaning my room today, periodt”
Salty – Bitter, upset about something “Why are you so salty about losing that game?”
Here’s what most fathers miss: your kids aren’t trying to exclude you with this language. They’re including each other. It’s their way of belonging to something.
But you can belong too.
Not by trying to use their slang (please don’t—it hits different when dads do it, and not in a good way). Instead, show genuine curiosity. Ask what things mean. Let them teach you. Laugh when you get it wrong.
I started asking my kids to translate their texts to me. Not because I was spying, but because I was genuinely interested in how they communicate. Now they voluntarily explain new words they hear. We’ve turned their language into a bridge instead of a wall.
This isn’t really about slang, brother. This is about staying connected to your kids as they grow into a world that looks nothing like the one you grew up in.
When you take interest in their language, you’re telling them their world matters to you. When you ask questions instead of making jokes, you’re showing them you want to understand, not just be understood.
Small moments of curiosity create lifelong patterns of communication.
Your 10-year-old who feels heard when they explain why something is “mid” (mediocre, by the way) becomes the teenager who comes to you with bigger questions. The kid who doesn’t feel judged for their vocabulary becomes the young adult who doesn’t feel judged for their struggles.
Tonight, ask your kid what new words they’ve learned lately. Don’t judge. Don’t correct. Just listen. Maybe even take notes (they’ll find this hilarious and endearing).
Remember, kings—you’re not trying to become a Gen Alpha kid. You’re trying to stay connected to the ones you’re raising. Their language is just the entry point to their hearts.
And honestly? Some of their words are pretty clever. “Rizz” being short for charisma? That’s actually kind of genius, no cap.
