(credit: OneSideProFoto/Shutterstock)
TALLINN, Estonia — Have you ever overheard two teens talking, only to realize you didn’t recognize any of the words coming out of their mouths? In a digital age where language evolves at the speed of a viral TikTok video, a new survey is revealing just how much our language has changed in 2024. How did researchers do this you ask? They looked at all the slang terms people are trying to keep up with online.
A team from Unscramblerer.com examined the Google search data of Americans in each state to see which expressions they’re Googling. From quirky internet trends to unexpectedly sophisticated terminology, this year’s list paints a colorful picture of odds terms that would probably leave most people over a certain age completely confused.
Topping the charts is the word “demure,” which garnered a staggering 260,000 searches, thanks to TikTok personality Jools Lebron’s playful reimagining of the traditionally reserved term. No longer just a description of modest behavior, “demure” has been transformed into a nuanced commentary on style and social appropriateness.
The rest of the list reads like a linguistic roller coaster. This year’s top 10 features everything from the independent and self-reliant “sigma” (220,000 searches) to the utterly bizarre “skibidi” (205,000 searches), a term that emerged from surreal internet videos featuring singing toilets and dancing heads.
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising entry is “hawk tuah,” which rocketed to 180,000 searches following a viral street interview with Haliey Welch. The term, an imitative spitting sound, became an instant internet sensation due to its sexually suggestive meaning.
Top 10 Most Searched Slang Words of 2024:
- Demure (260,000 searches) —Â Reserved, modest or shy in manner or appearance.
- Sigma (220,000 searches) — A ‘lone wolf’ who operates outside traditional social hierarchies.
- Skibidi (205,000 searches) — Refers to a viral internet trend featuring animated videos of singing toilets.
- Hawk tuah (180,000) — Imitative of a spitting sound made famous during a viral street interview.
- Sobriquet (105,000) — A nickname or descriptive name given to a person or thing.
- Schmaltz (65,000) — Refers to excessive sentimentality or melodrama.
- Sen (50,000) — Slang for self.
- Katz (34,000) — A term for anything enjoyable, fun, or pleasing. It can also mean “yes.”
- Oeuvre (25,000) — Refers to the complete works produced by an artist, writer, or composer.
- Preen (20,000) — Slang for a child who tries to act like a teenager.
A spokesperson for Unscramblerer.com, which conducted the research, offered some insight into this linguistic phenomenon.
“The English language is ever changing. Every year new slang words are created. Many slang words are born through trending topics and viral videos on social media. However, only few manage to stick around long enough to be added to the dictionary and remain in daily use. Slang words are a normal and fun evolution of language. We encourage everyone to learn some new words and surprise their children by using them,” the spokesperson says in a statement to StudyFinds.
The study, which analyzed Google Trends search data from Jan. 1 to Oct. 25, 2024, demonstrates how social media continues to be a powerful force in language evolution. From academic terms like “sobriquet” to playful internet slang like “sen,” the list proves that in 2024, language is anything but static.
What’s the Slang Like in Your State?
Obviously, every state in America has its own unique terms for certain things. The study also found several words making the rounds to each state which locals are feverishly looking up online. Along with the words making the country’s top 10, these words were among the top unique terms searched for in each state:
Alabama
Dei — Diversity, equity, inclusion. A family friendly way of saying “woke.”
Aura — The vibe someone gives off. When used by tweens and teens it is likely a reference to how “badass” someone is. “Aura points” supposedly make you cooler.
NTMÂ — Stands for “not too much.” Often used in texting and TikTok to mean that nothing much is happening.
Arizona
Dei
Aura
Crash Out — For Gen Z, the meaning of the term has changed to “I’m gonna lose my mind!” Essentially losing control and getting upset, stressed or acting irrationally.
Arkansas
Dei
Hurkle durkle — Linger in bed. A TikTok trend for lying in bed or lounging about.
California
Skrrt — Mimics the sound of screeching tires. Used to show excitement, surprise, or a quick shift in direction.
Dei
Womp Womp — Shows disappointment in a humorous way. Like a sad sound when something goes wrong.
Colorado
Dei
SMHÂ — Internet slang for “shaking my head.” Used to express disapproval or disappointment.
Aura
Crash Out
Connecticut
Dei
Skrrt
Delaware
Caret – A symbol(^) often used online to point to or emphasize something in the text above, typically to show agreement or highlight a specific comment.
Florida
Aura
Georgia
Slay — Doing something exceptionally well (slaying it). Praising style, talent and confidence.
Aura
Delulu — Short for “delusional.” Mostly used to describe fans who are overly idealistic. It means believing in something far-fetched. Often used jokingly.
Pookie — To show endearment and affection. Used for a close friend, partner, or family member. A playful way to say someone is special.
Brat — Someone who is unapologetically rebellious, playful, and stylish. The word found a new positive meaning through Charli XCX 2024 album release. In slang, brat refers to a confident and energetic person who enjoys breaking norms.
Womp Womp
Dei
Fein — A person who is obsessed with something or someone. On TikTok, the usage can also describe people who are excited or mischievous.
Idaho
Rizz — Style, charm, or attractiveness. The ability to attract a romantic partner and make others like you.
Gyatt — Is slang for “God damn.” People say it when they are surprised or impressed. It’s especially popular with Gen Z.
SMH
Illinois
Dei
Indiana
Dei
Aura
SMH
Rizz
Caret
Kansas
Dei
Rizz
Aura
Kentucky
Aura
 Caret
Louisiana
Dei
Aura
Caret
Maine
Dei
Caret
Skrrt
Maryland
Dei
Caret
Massachusetts
Based — Popularized by rapper Lil B. Being unapologetically yourself and not caring what others think. Used to show agreement or give props to someone for confidently being themselves.
Caret
Skrrt
Michigan
Dei
Aura
Minnesota
Dei
SMH
Mississippi
Dei
Pookie
Crash Out
Missouri
Crash Out
Dei
Montana
Aura
Rizz
Nebraska
Dei
SMH
Gyatt
Rizz
Aura
Nevada
Based
Dei
Crash Out
New Hampshire
Dei
SMH
Rizz
New Jersey
Caret
New Mexico
Dei
Gaslighting — A type of manipulation that makes you doubt your memories and feelings. The person doing it may lie and deny things.
Aura
New York
Dei
North Carolina
Dei
Caret
North Dakota
Aura
SMH
Ohio
Dei
Rizz
Aura
Oklahoma
Dei
Aura
Gaffe – A mistake or awkward comment that embarrasses you in public.
Oregon
Aura
Rizz
SMH
Pennsylvania
Aura
Rhode Island
Dei
Caret
Brat
South Carolina
Dei
Caret
South Dakota
Dei
Rizz
Aura
Teetotaler – Someone who does not drink any alcohol.
Tennessee
Dei
Aura
Texas
Dei
Aura
Utah
Dei
Aura
Vermont
Dei
Brat
Skrrt
Washington
Caret
Dei
Wisconsin
Dei
Wyoming
Dei
Aura
SMH
So, next time you want to sound hip, why not drop a “hawk tuah” or describe something as supremely “katz”? Just be prepared for some surprised faces – and maybe a few impressed eye rolls.
Methodology
Researchers used Google Trends to discover the top trending slang terms and Ahrefs to find the number of searches. America’s most popular slang terms can be discovered in Google Trends through the keyword “meaning.” People will hear or read slang terms and search for the meaning of the term (for example, “demure meaning”). Ahrefs shows many variations of meaning searches like “slang” or “trend” (for example, “demure slang”) and similar keyword combinations (for example, “what does demure mean”). The team added up 150 search variations of top slang terms.
