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22 Annoying Slang Words That We’re Ready to Retire

Updated on Jul. 10, 2025

TBH, this Gucci list is dank AF. (If you can say those annoying slang words out loud with a straight face, you are stronger than we are.)

The purpose of slang words

Slang serves an important purpose in society—it helps language evolve and gives people an easy way to fit in and feel like part of the group. Some slang words draw heavily from pop culture and become fun insider jokes. Others spring to life on social media, a sort of shorthand that becomes the norm. And then there are those annoying slang words that divide us instead of bringing us together.

These words are mostly used to shame, demean, ostracize and hurt others. While these things can be subjective, Reader’s Digest has put together a list of annoying slang words we’d love to see retired. Read on to find out what these trendy terms are and see if you agree.

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Annoying Slang Words That We’re Ready To Retire - OK boomer on green background
READER'S DIGEST

OK, boomer

Millennials’ most devastating volley fire in the war of the generation was just two words: OK, boomer. We could explain why the 60-year-olds are beefing with the 30-year-olds, but honestly, we don’t care. Can’t we all just be a little nicer to one another and recognize that people of every generation make good contributions to society?

slang words thot
Reader's Digest

Thot

This is modern slang for an old-fashioned “whore.” It’s a crude term some people use to describe women or girls who do things they consider “slutty,” like sending nudes or sexting with lots of different people. It’s demeaning and gross, and the fact that there’s no male equivalent says a lot about the societal double standard. Sometimes, people don’t realize how hurtful these sexist labels can be—it takes only a little awareness to choose kinder words and make a real difference.

slang words gucci
Reader's Digest

Gucci

The luxury brand name has become synonymous with “really great” and “very cool,” as in “That’s Gucci” or “Those shoes are Gucci.” It was cute the first 100 times. Then Lil’ Pump came out with Gucci Gang, and we all heard the word so much that it lost all meaning. Turns out every era has its own version of Guccipeople in the ’20s had some pretty wild slang of their own—but we’d be happy going back to great.

slang words smash
Reader's Digest

Smash

Before you venture onto Tinder, you might want to brush up on some of the popular slang terms used on dating sites. One such word: smash, slang for “have sex.” But did we really need another euphemism for sex? And even if we did, did we need one that sounds so … painful?

slang words ya basic
Reader's Digest

Ya basic

Calling someone basic means that they’re boring and only like things other people like. But why shame people for what they like? There’s so little joy in the world as it is. Let people have whatever makes them happy, even if it’s not your thing.

slang words belfie
Reader's Digest

Belfie

Butts are in. So are selfies. Which is how we arrived at peak belfie, or butt selfie. You can’t scroll through social media these days without seeing a (usually photoshopped) butt … or five. Can we drop the cutesy slang pretense and just admit people like butts and that’s fine?

slang words k
Reader's Digest

k

A lowercase k is one of the most commonly used text abbreviations, and never has so much been said by one single letter—a letter oozing with disdain. Texting a single k (with no punctuation) to someone is technically a short version of OK. But these days, it is slang for “You’re boring and annoying. Never talk to me again. Or do. I don’t care. You’re nothing to me.”

slang words thirst trap
Reader's Digest

Thirst trap

If someone is desperate for attention and will do anything to get it, they may post a thirst trap, a photo or video that aims to get the internet “thirsting” after them. But wanting attention is a very basic human need, and instead of shaming people for trying to get it, perhaps we should be focusing on teaching them better ways to connect with others.

slang words LB
Reader's Digest

LB

You may not have heard this one said out loud, but chances are, you’ve seen LB, slang for “like back,” a million times on social media. It’s the shortest, laziest way to insist someone follow or like your account because you followed or liked theirs. It’s all the worst parts of social media rolled up into two letters—not to mention a clear example of how social media etiquette often goes out the window. Just like what you like because you like it.

slang words bruh
Reader's Digest

Bruh

A long, long time ago, we used brother to refer to the son of our mother. A long time ago, we used bro to refer to our brothers and pals as close as family. And now we have bruh, a term that used to be slang for brother (an alternative to bro, if you will) but is increasingly used for pretty much everyone: brothers, friends, parents, strangers—you name it. And it can mean anything. Still, this one flies too close to frat boy speech for us.

slang words AF
Reader's Digest

AF

AF is internet slang for as f*** and means that something is really great or next level: “These enchiladas are tasty AF.” You get the punch of using a curse word without actually cursing. Which is all fun and games … until you have to explain it to Grandma at Thanksgiving. Maybe save the AFs for the group chat and go with something Grandma-approved.

slang words peach
Reader's Digest

Peach

Peach is cutesy slang for a woman’s butt. You often see it under a picture of a girl squatting with a caption like “growing my peach!” and maybe a little peach emoji. Good for you for exercising. Also, good for liking your butt and having that self-confidence. But please just call it a butt.

slang words receipts
Reader's Digest

Receipts

We’re living through the decade of “receipts.” Everyone from celebrities to random strangers on the internet is posting pictures, transcripts, videos and call recordings as proof of a wide variety of wrongs done. If you’re on a reality show, then fine, bring all the receipts; that’s your job. If you’re talking to Susan at the office water cooler, cut it out; no one wants to get dragged into your feud with Mike.

slang words ratchet
Reader's Digest

Ratchet

This is a cruel term used to describe someone who looks really bad or something that’s seen as stereotypically poor or low-class, and it may come with a hefty dose of racism on top. It’s definitely at the top of the list of things you should never say at work—or ever, really.

slang words ghost
Reader's Digest

Ghost

The word ghost is fine in a paranormal context, but when it’s used to end a relationship without an explanation or even a goodbye, then it’s more horrific than all the scary movies put together. Ghosting is essentially cutting off contact without an explanation. Here’s a rule to live by: Unless you’re dealing with someone dangerous or abusive, don’t ghost people. It’s mean, and everyone deserves closure.

slang words bet
Reader's Digest

Bet

Nope, we’re not talking about laying down cash with hopes of a bigger payday. Bet just means “yes.” (Sometimes it’s a more enthusiastic form of agreement, like “for sure” or “sure thing.”) You’re substituting one three-letter word for another three-letter word that sounds nothing like it. It’s like using Jack as a nickname for John—you can, but why?

slang words tbh
Reader's Digest

TBH

To be honest, this phrase is so overused that there are entire chats full of tweens who can’t start a sentence without it. At best, TBH (aka “to be honest”) is irritating and unnecessary; at worst, it’s a way to say hurtful things under the guise of “just being honest.”

slang words thicc
Reader's Digest

Thicc

Curvy women are having a cultural moment, and that’s exciting. And a woman with a lot of curves, especially through the hips, thighs and butt, is deemed “thicc.” It’s a compliment but can be considered an insult by those who grew up in an era when thick meant “stupid.”

slang words yummo
Reader's Digest

Yummo

If you’re talking to a toddler refusing to eat peas then, sure, that food is “yummo!” If you’re in adult company, however, you might want to rethink using baby talk. This particular baby term is one of those annoying slang words that we really should retire.

The bottom line: Slang words might make us sound cool—for a time. But not every trend deserves to stick around. So next time you are tempted to drop a “k” or send a belfie … maybe just don’t.

slang words sambo
Reader's Digest

Sambo

This racial slur isn’t a new slang word by any means, but unfortunately, it made a big comeback in 2019. Don’t use racial slurs. Not this one. Not any of them. Ever. Once you learn the origins of popular slang words like this, they take on a whole new meaning. And that’s your cue to stop saying them.

slang words dank
Reader's Digest

Dank

This slang word has so many meanings, it’s basically become meaningless. Sometimes it means something really cool or unique on the internet. Other times it refers to high-quality weed … or something that’s overused. And then there’s the original meaning: musty or damp. Slang can differ by age, race, location and other factors, so the meaning of this slang term might depend on where you live. The upside is that you can use it to mean anything in almost any context, and you probably won’t be wrong. The downside is that it’s imprecise and pretty meaningless.

slang words vsco
Reader's Digest

VSCO

Pronounced “visko,” VSCO, is an app for editing photos. But like so many apps these days, it’s taken on a life beyond the digital sphere, embodying a certain type of breezy aesthetic as modeled by “VSCO girls.” They’re adorable, but at best, it feels like using kids for marketing, and at worst, it’s objectifying young women.

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