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 […]

No, it’s not a hotel. Every generation has its own shorthand, expressed by words, phrases, abbreviations, or acronyms. GenX brought “gnarly” and “hella” into common usage. Millennials gave us “bae” and “fam.” Most boomers are probably ashamed about a time when they regularly said “groovy” and “right on.” “Gyatt” (sometimes spelled “gyat”) is one of […]

TikTok — and all social platforms — are loaded with acronyms. POV, TFW, NPC, NSFW are just a few of the ones you’ll commonly hear or see in TikTok posts; you can research those terms in your spare time if you’re interested. FYP is one of the most important acronyms associated with TikTok, but you […]

It’s the mid-2020s, and there are very few people in the developed world who still don’t know what “LOL” or “BRB” means. (If you’re one of the few, they stand for “Laughing Out Loud” and “Be Right Back” and are used universally in texts and other online communications.) Those abbreviations date back to the very […]

TikTok has given birth to numerous trends. Lip-synch and dance videos are the ones most identified with the social media platform, along with the periodic TikTok challenges that go viral and attract widespread media attention. Users get the opportunity to watch and join the party when popular TikTok videos show up on their timeline. Even […]