As new Kentucky generations begin to outnumber those born before 1975, and out of state folks move here, we are seeing a whole new form of communication. There are words coming out of peoples’ mouths that leave us pondering, and often raising an eyebrow quizzically. Some of these comical expressions and words sound nothing like what one would normally say to express themselves in Kentucky. In most cases, they honestly just don’t seem to make any sense.

The younger generations create their own language, in some cases just to feel cool, or befuddle their parents or elders. Here are 12 words or phrases that may cause a Kentuckian to look perplexed:

  1. Bruh/Brah

DJ Ghost Apparently, this actually means, “brother, or bro” to younger generations, though to many of us over 40, it sounds like their calling one another a bra…

  1. Bump

Wiki This is the new term for “playing music loud” when it comes to teens. Gone are the day of rocking out or jamming… at least for now.

  1. Deets

Pixabay This is the modern way of asking for, or offering details. “Hey man, you got the deets on that chic”?

  1. Code 9

Wiki This is another phrase teens use that means the parental units are nearby, or about to catch or hear something not meant for their ears.

  1. Fungry

Southern Foodway Alliance This is the new way of cursing for kids, without saying the actual profanity. This means the person saying it is so hungry they are “f@$#%& hungry”. If they are still young enough, perhaps they should try chewing on some soap to clean out that mouth.

  1. Mirin'

SIU Review We admire someone. The new generation apparently, “be mirin” specific people, places or things.

  1. Ratchet

Peter McConnochie If you hear a teenager say this word, they are likely not talking about a tool, but instead mean someone is rude or hateful.

  1. MOS or PAW

Breaking News If you hear your child say this on the phone, or see it posted on social media, they obviously don’t want you knowing what they are doing. Mom Over Shoulder or Parents are Watching, would be the meaning behind those letters. Be sneakier…

  1. Catfish

Metro These are good eating to most of us, but to the newer generation, a catfish is someone using a fake profile on social media. To me, just saying, “that’s a fake profile” makes more sense…

  1. Turnt

Wiki This is a flexible term used when the kids are “turnt” meaning turned on/want sex, or tore up/intoxicated. On Walking Dead, it simply means, “they are a zombie now”.

  1. Pron

Peter Dutton This is not a shrimp, it is the new word for porn. Thus, if the kids are discussing pron, you now know they are not craving specialty seafood.

  1. YOLO

Joshua Kruger People have apparently gotten to lazy too say, “you only live once”. Instead, the youth have shortened it to YOLO when doing something exhilarating like hanging at the Gorge. When first heard, it brings to mind someone with a speech impediment saying “hello”.

Kentuckians like to speak plainly, in most cases, though we do have our “twang”. It seems like modern society is in such a hurry, they cannot even take the time to say a whole word. Instead, they have to shorten it for convenience, or a “coolness” factor. The majority of this new language doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s becoming more common to see teenagers talking while their parents look on with a seemingly blank expression…What are some modern expressions or words that you have heard, and find baffling?

DJ Ghost

Apparently, this actually means, “brother, or bro” to younger generations, though to many of us over 40, it sounds like their calling one another a bra…

Wiki

This is the new term for “playing music loud” when it comes to teens. Gone are the day of rocking out or jamming… at least for now.

Pixabay

This is the modern way of asking for, or offering details. “Hey man, you got the deets on that chic”?

This is another phrase teens use that means the parental units are nearby, or about to catch or hear something not meant for their ears.

Southern Foodway Alliance

This is the new way of cursing for kids, without saying the actual profanity. This means the person saying it is so hungry they are “f@$#%& hungry”. If they are still young enough, perhaps they should try chewing on some soap to clean out that mouth.

SIU Review

We admire someone. The new generation apparently, “be mirin” specific people, places or things.

Peter McConnochie

If you hear a teenager say this word, they are likely not talking about a tool, but instead mean someone is rude or hateful.

Breaking News

If you hear your child say this on the phone, or see it posted on social media, they obviously don’t want you knowing what they are doing. Mom Over Shoulder or Parents are Watching, would be the meaning behind those letters. Be sneakier…

Metro

These are good eating to most of us, but to the newer generation, a catfish is someone using a fake profile on social media. To me, just saying, “that’s a fake profile” makes more sense…

This is a flexible term used when the kids are “turnt” meaning turned on/want sex, or tore up/intoxicated. On Walking Dead, it simply means, “they are a zombie now”.

Peter Dutton

This is not a shrimp, it is the new word for porn. Thus, if the kids are discussing pron, you now know they are not craving specialty seafood.

Joshua Kruger

People have apparently gotten to lazy too say, “you only live once”. Instead, the youth have shortened it to YOLO when doing something exhilarating like hanging at the Gorge. When first heard, it brings to mind someone with a speech impediment saying “hello”.

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