Many Gen Z employees will be returning to the office this autumn for the first time since Covid. The resurgence of in-person rather than exclusively online conversations may result in older workers being confused about the linguistic choices of their younger colleagues. This is a guide to some popular Gen Z terms.
Navigating generational communication challenges in the workplace
Research has shown that corporate jargon often isolates younger workers who may not be familiar with terms such as ‘deep dive’. However, a similar fate may await Gen X managers. Jessica Kelly, CEO of Meet your Mind, identified potential disadvantages of these situations as difficulties in collaboration and communication. To combat this, here is a quick look at Gen Z terms you might come across at work.
slay
Although slay might have violent connotations, its modern usage has roots in the black and queer communities, where it is most closely appropriated to “killing it”. Examples where slay might be used in a workplace setting include:
“I’ve just finished all my work for today”, “Slay”
“The report wasn’t that difficult”, “That’s so slay”
Cozzie Livs
This is an affectionate way of referencing the UK’s current economic situation. For example, if asked to go to post work drinks, someone who is trying to save money might reply, “I’ve got to think about cozzie livs”.
That Slaps/Hits Different
Generally, these refer to something that is very good. The term originated in the hip-hop scene to describe a good song, but today they can be used for pretty much anything. In a work context one might say, “That report slaps/hits different”.
Ate
To “eat” is to do something well. If a colleague does well in a presentation, you might say “They ate that up. No crumbs”. Leaving “no crumbs” is generally a good sign.
Understood the assignment
This expression essentially signifies complete comprehension and proficiency in a given task. When someone truly comprehends their assignment and excels at it, you might say, "Mark’s presentation impressed the clients. He truly understood the assignment." It can also be employed to praise someone's attire when it perfectly matches the occasion, reminiscent of Princess Diana's iconic revenge dress: She fully understood the assignment.
Say less
This term has been around for a while, initially used as a substitute for "say no more," particularly within the Black community. However, it has gained recent popularity among Gen Z. You would employ this phrase to convey to your colleagues, "I've got it, no need for further explanation," when they are outlining a task, for instance.
It’s giving
The term "it's giving" (typically followed by a description, such as "overtime" or "girl boss") signifies that something or someone is exuding a particular aura or atmosphere. Be aware that this expression can be employed in both a positive and negative context.
Era
The phrase "In your [blank] era" serves as a way to encapsulate the predominant themes and interests of a specific time frame. This expression can be applied to multiple contexts, ranging from the profound to the light-hearted. For instance, being in your "villain era" signifies a phase characterized by a disregard for societal norms and conventions, while entering your "healing era" implies a dedicated period of self-improvement and self-care. In a workplace context you might say “in my spreadsheet era”.