Everyone knows that February 14th is Valentine’s Day. In the Midwestern US, the third Saturday of October is called Sweetest Day (to the bafflement of countless people who have moved to the region with no idea the day had any significance). And on TikTok, there’s October 1. All are recognized — at least, by some […]

Warning! NSFW content ahead! We’ll leave the actual meaning of “rainbow kiss” for the end of this article. That will let readers get a general idea of what this TikTok trend is all about while avoiding the graphic details. Content creators often use slang terms on the social media platform as teasers or for their […]

Cooks understand the importance of adding zest to many recipes. Zest is the grated rind of citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, and it adds bright flavor to a dish without the acid contained in the fruit itself. The noun “zest” and the adjective “zesty” have been used for many years in other contexts as […]

We’ll start with a different question. What do “sodoku,” “selfie,” and “toxic” have in common? They’ve all been chosen at some point during this century as the “word of the year” by Oxford University Press, which publishes the renowned Oxford English Dictionary. In 2023, that publisher called “rizz” the word of the year, thanks largely […]

Many terms used on TikTok and other social media platforms seemingly come out of nowhere. They’re often unique to young-skewing apps, and it’s virtually impossible to guess their meanings without context or regular exposure to Generation A (or Z) kids. “Gyatt” and “rizz” are two that are often used in TikTok posts. (Sorry, we’re not […]

TikTok, like most social media platforms, is usually a one-way street; creators post content, and surfers watch it. Direct, real-time interaction is unusual rather than the norm. You can exchange direct messages (DMs) or set up group chats on the app, of course, but those features are rarely used. Most people’s interactions come in the […]