7 Gen Z and Gen Alpha Words for Money To Embarrass Your Grandkids With
Written by
Nicholas Morine
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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As Generation Z enters the workforce in a serious way — and Gen Alpha gets set to join them — the lexicon surrounding money and wealth, as well as the appearance of both, has drastically shifted.
On all corners of the internet, words perhaps foreign to older Americans are cropping up at breakneck pace. What is “rizz,” and why is someone who possesses it considered to be a “rizzler”? Does it take a “guap” to acquire flawless “drip”?
Having a more serious money conversation? Avoid these phrases.
From ‘Bougie’ to Beyond: Gen Z and Gen Alpha Money Slang
An attempt to decode or demystify some of the most popular money-related slang below.
Bougie
While the term “bougie” may not be exclusive to the younger set, it seems to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence, according to OppU.
The terms refers to someone, or something, that represents luxury or finery. A perfectly presented charcuterie board, the experience of traveling first-class on a jetliner — or even better, a chartered flight — could be described as bougie.
Drip
“Drip” is easy: Drip is a word used to describe a person’s overall aesthetic, particularly their clothing. More specifically, it’s typically used to gesture towards a flashy, cool or uniquely eccentric outfit or part thereof.
Designer sunglasses, bespoke suits, iced-up gold (real gold) chains or a pair of stylish shoes could all add to an impeccable drip.
Guap
Guap is probably the most strictly money-centric word in the Gen Z or Gen Alpha vocabulary being popularized online: Guap just means a lot of money, in simplest terms.
Rack, Benjamin, Stack
There’s no set amount of guap, unlike a “rack” ($1,000) of cash, or a Benjamin ($100). Oh, and there’s 10 racks — or 100 Benjamins — in a stack ($10,000).
Rizz
Rizz and rizzler are related, per Parade. Rizz is all about charisma, and having an abundance of charm, sex appeal and an aura — aura being another Gen Z favorite — of cool.
A rizzler is someone who has a surplus of rizz and exhibits it on the daily, likely due to a combination of their aura, their drip and their innate charisma.
Having a healthy bank account may not be a requisite, but it certainly helps.
The Evolution of Language
OppU’s Samantha Rose summarized the fast-changing nature of language as younger Americans contribute more to a shared culture, one dominated by memes and in which new words seem to be introduced daily.
“A new generation of young people is changing language, culture and how we think about money. So step aside, millennials. Gen Z’s time has come,” Rose wrote.
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