What may seem like normal words, take on a whole new meaning for teens now known as Gen Z.
James Callahan, a sociology teacher at Lowell High School, decided to create an urban dictionary to define the terms kids use nowadays.
"Teenagers sort of have their own language and I want to be able to understand that and try to reach them at their level," Callahan said.
Callahan's spreadsheet went viral when one of his students shared it on Twitter. The post was liked and shared more than 500,000 times.
"It's been an interesting week. I'm trying to embrace it," said Callahan.
His dictionary explains that "being dead" actually means you're amused.
How about a snack? Nope, not food related but used to describe a good-looking person.
What’s a “snack?” 🤔
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) May 3, 2019
(It’s not something you eat!) This high school teacher made a whole new urban dictionary for terms used by young people today... and it went VIRAL! 📖📲 Some of the definitions may surprise you! WATCH @boston25 at 6PM - to better understand Generation Z! 😂 pic.twitter.com/Jru5cIoHJG
How about .. take an L? It's actually short for take a loss.
Callahan hopes his Gen Z dictionary helps him better communicate with his students.
"So it's always kind of fun if I can use their words in my instruction, in my lectures, and the kids get a kick out of it, too, so I feel like it makes me a more effective and better teacher," Callahan said.
He says now that he's received so much attention from across the country, he's hoping people will not only use his dictionary but also donate to some educational funds such as the Donors Choose website to help Lowell schools.
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