Appreciation or appropriation? How Black culture is shaping Gen Z slang

Gen Z Slang Deeply Rooted In Black Culture, Linguistic Experts Say

Source: Mohd Azrin / Getty Popular Gen Z slang words like “rizz” and “slay” have become so widespread that these terms topped Unscramblerer’s list of most popular slang in 2025. But where do these buzzworthy words come from, and how do they become so deeply embedded in our everyday language that friends and even parents start using them? Experts say many of the words now labeled as Gen Z slang actually have roots that reach back centuries, parti…

Appreciation or appropriation? How Black culture is shaping Gen Z slang

Scroll long enough on TikTok or Instagram — or simply watch reality TV — and one might assume anyone under the age of 25 is speaking a different language