Decoding Gen Z Slang: What Does "Big" Mean?
According to the modern slang, the word ‘Big’ is used as an adjective to add emphasis or intensiveness in different contexts. For instance, ‘big mad’ means being extremely mad about something, while ‘big sad’ signifies a state of extreme sadness. Furthermore, the term ‘big brain’ is used to depict someone or something as highly intelligent or act of extreme wit. Thus, ‘big’ can amplify the sentiment or quality it precedes, intensifying the overall meaning.
Examples
Person 1: "Man, I just finished running five miles today!"
Person 2: "Wow, that's big tired. Better get some rest."
- I guess you could say I was big nostalgic yesterday. I was cleaning out my attic and found all these old childhood toys. Not just a little sentimental, then, huh? So you were truly big nostalgic.
- That's a new one. I love it.
- Person A: "Hey, how did your presentation go today?"
- Person B: "Oh, it went Big! I was so nervous before but I nailed it."
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How to Communicate with Children about "Big" Slang
- Start with an open dialogue: As parents, be open, curious, and willing to discuss current slang with your teen.
- Relate slang to emotions: Discuss the terms ‘big mad’, ‘big sad’ and ‘big brain’ as ways to express intensity of feelings or descriptions.
- Encourage appropriate usage: Teach your teen the right contexts in which to use these words, especially during ’texting’.
- Use slang as bonding time: Engage in conversations around daily experiences they may have had regarding the use of such slang words. Educate yourself: Keep up with the contemporary language of teens to show interest and understand their conversations.
Summary
Understanding Gen Z slang, such as the use of “big” to emphasise intensity of feelings, can significantly improve communication between generations. It’s not just about deciphering their language, but also sharing their experiences.
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What to do if you recognize your child's dangerous slang
Keyword alert is a feature in parental control apps designed to notify parents or guardians when specific words or phrases are detected in their child's online activity.
When triggered, the parental control app sends an alert to the parent's device, allowing them to promptly address any potential issues and ensure their child's online safety and well-being. We recommend adding slang related to drugs and sext to your keywords alert.
