Anyone who spends any amount of time on social media has noticed the way language has changed. There are words on internet platforms that will make you go “viral.” Kids like to repeat these endlessly annoying phrases like it’s their job.

If you have heard a young person say, “6-7,” just know that you are listening to a phrase that has gained popularity on social media.  Likewise, the internet has brought us the terms “brainrot,” “skibidi rizz ohio,” and “Labubu Matcha Dubai Chocolate.”  Does anyone know what any of this means?  Probably not, but rest assured, it is designed to drive adults crazy.

‘Twas ever thus.  I’m sure that the grownups in the 1920s were just as scandalized when they heard their youngsters using slang, though at least that slang referred to actual words. If a weak sister decided to take the fall for a hatchet man, she could end up with a three-spot. Translation: If a pushover took the punishment for a gunman, she could end up in jail for three years.  23-skeedoo, doll.  At least she didn’t get the big sleep and wind up in a wooden kimono.

Of course, we all used slang growing up, and I must admit that the slang of the 1960s and 70s was the grooviest of all.  We had our minds blown on a regular basis and my friends and I were the hippest chicks around.  Everything was far out and right on.

The 1990s saw slang influenced by the TV, movies, and music of that time.  Bart Simpson gave us “don’t have a cow” and “eat my shorts.”  Pee Wee Herman said, “I know you are, but what am I?” Arnold Schwarzenegger told us, “I’ll be back.”  The Fresh Prince assured us that “It’s all good.” 

While reading about all these language inventions, I happened upon the term “familect”.  According to Atlantic contributor Kathryn Hymes, “When people share a space, their collective experience can sprout its own vocabulary, known as a familect.”  These are the words specific to your family experience and can include mispronunciations of words like “scrimps” for shrimp, inside jokes, and catchphrases that have a special meaning to your family. 

Actually, familects are good things. Steph Balzer, writing in Why Is This Interesting, noted that familects help families build identity and nurture intimacy. Familects also give us a chance to laugh as we celebrate our shared history.

Our familect includes lots of quotes from movies and memorable sayings by yours truly, such as, “Who’s whistling?” and “Do you have the tickets?”  Oh yes, my children will never let me live those phrases down.  In my defense, I asked who was whistling as we were in a New York City cab and it turned out our wild driver started whistling every time he drove on the sidewalk.  Who’s whistling, indeed!  Jeez! On the tickets quote, I plead nolo contendere.

But, hey, enjoy your own familect!