If you’re a parent and you’ve heard your kids using the word ‘gas’ in their conversations or spotted it in their text messages, you might be scratching your head, wondering what they’re talking about. No, it’s not about the fuel or gaseous state of matter. Welcome to the world of teenage lingo!
The Many Meanings of 'Gas'
Most commonly used in youth culture, 'gas' has multiple slang meanings. One of them is a coded reference for marijuana. Just like words like 'weed' or 'green', 'gas' is yet another synonym used to discuss this substance clandestinely. On a lighter note, 'gas' can also be used to describe something that is cool or awesome. Much like the older slang 'lit' or 'rad', if a young person refers to an event or a thing as 'gas,' they mean it's highly enjoyable or exciting.
Stirring up Excitement: 'Gas' as a Verb
Talking With Your Kids About Slang
- “What’s a new word you and your friends are into right now?”
- “When I was your age, people would say something was ‘all that and a bag of chips’ if it was awesome. What’s your favorite word to describe something as cool?”
- “I know emojis can mean something different to kids than they do to parents. Are there any emojis I use you think I should stop using?”
- “If you could describe yourself using just one emoji, which one would you pick?”
Remember that staying connected with your child’s world helps in building strong and open relationships. Understanding slang or youthful jargon is a small, yet significant step towards that. ‘Gas’ up some conversations today!