Teens 2022

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Teens 2022
Here's the ultimate (and updated) list of teen slang phrases and words in 2022 with meanings.
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It often seems like teenagers' sole mission is to reject the way their parents do things, from fashion to music to how they use the English language. Teen slang words are a constantly evolving dictionary that makes anyone above age 22 feel like they woke up in a foreign land.
But this stage too shall pass, and in the meantime parents of teens don't need to feel clueless each time their adolescent starts to speak. (Yeet? Fleek? Help!)
If you've just recently deciphered omg, lol, and tbh, or you finally figured out why everyone loathes a Karen, I hate to break it to you, Boomer, but your slang needs a major 2022 refresh. Rather than spend hours scrolling through the confusion and horror that's often found in the depths of Urban Dictionary, we've compiled the most popular Gen Z slang and sayings right here.
You can safely bet your teens will continue to roll their eyes nearly every time you speak, but proper use of these new slang words and slang phrases will earn you at least grudging respect. Although I wouldn't go around speaking like a TikTok teen at the office...that's just majorly cringe.
Teens today are busy - sometimes too busy even for spaces, as evidenced by this mashup abbreviation of "Am I right?" This word often doesn't require a response and is meant to emphasize something that both parties agree on. "The weekend could not get here sooner, amirite."
When teenagers use this word, they're usually not talking about someone who's been hitting the gym. Instead, fit is short for outfit, as in, "That fit is on point! Do you have a hot date or something?"
When your teen wants to express a feeling or desire without coming on too strong, she may add the adjective low-key or lowkey to help downplay it. "They're announcing who made varsity today, and I'm low-key freaking out," or, "He's low-key cute, but I'm keeping my options open." (Predictably, highkey means the exact opposite.)
When a relationship is more than friends but less than a couple, it might be a situationship. Think of it as the modern counterpart to the old Facebook relationship status option, "It's complicated."
The exact meaning may vary, but savage, like dope or fierce, is definitely a compliment. A teen may call their friend savage for a particularly well-done insult or retort. Doing something savage shows bravery or a total lack of care/fear.
As Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce taught us, anyone or anything savage refers to something extremely cool and unbothered.
An opp (short for opponent) is an enemy or competitor, someone who is working against you in some way. The next time you deny your teen's request for cash or an outing on a school night, you might find yourself in the opp category.
Sussy is an increasingly popular alternative to the slang term "sus," short for suspicious. It entered the mainstream thanks to the video game Among Us and now refers to anyone or anything that seems a little...off.
When something hits different, it is significantly better than usual, as in, "A nap on a cold, rainy afternoon just hits different."
To sleep on something is to overlook its importance or value. "Don't sleep on that new guidance counselor; I heard she used to be a backup dancer for Doja Cat."
To yassify something or someone is to glam them up until they're almost unrecognizable. It originally referred to influencers' common use of beauty filters on social media, but in late 2021 a YassifyBot account popped up on Twitter and began churning out images of famous faces (think, Queen Elizabeth or Severus Snape) digitally enhanced until they look like Bratz dolls.
Pronounced "mook-bong," this form of entertainment originated in South Korea and features live footage of someone eating large amounts of food. Its popularity gained steam on YouTube during the coronavirus (or "rona," to your teen) pandemic, and many fans find the videos and their accompanying eating noises comforting and relaxing.
An acronym for "Where you at?" that's usually used in text messages. Feel free to use it the next time your teen breaks curfew: "WYA, get home NOW."
Moods are something your teenager has in bulk. But when it comes to Gen Z slang, mood refers to something the speaker can relate to or agrees with. For example, after a tough day, your teen might post a photo of a screaming toddler with the caption "Mood" to express solidarity.Mutuals
Mutuals, sometimes shorted to moots, are two people who follow each other and interact on social media. It's a common word on TikTok and other platforms to refer to internet friends.
If you know what this one stands for, you know. (See what I did there?) Often used on social media alongside more obscure TV show or movie references, or to caption an otherwise unlabeled photo.
When you're looking your best, your teen might grace you with the compliment "snatched," or particularly stylish. Savor it, because moments like this don't come around often.
I'll avoid literally spelling it out for you, but just imagine three more letters in the middle and you'll get the picture. Although sometimes used as a term of endearment among friends, you usually don't want to be labeled a bih.
In slang terms, drip is a synonym for style, particularly the fashionable or sexy kind. If millennials had swag, Generation Z has drip.
Think of these two as opposite ends of the cool spectrum. Something wonderful is fire, while something terrible is trash. In other words, it's like Grease versus Grease 2 .
When something inspires aspirational envy, or two things go together extremely well, the reaction is, "Goals." One example: "Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' marriage is goals." Another example: "Parents keeping up with their teenager's lingo for more than a month? Goals."
Looking for more slang? Check out: The Newest Teen Slang Trends of 2021 .
Robin is a mom of three and longtime journalist who previously worked for The Associated Press covering California and national politics.

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These are for the main character energy in all of us.
Much like the many tricky-to-navigate facets of being young, the teen movie genre is one of the most intricate ones to get right. Over the years, studios have spawned some of the most iconic teen movies of all time like Mean Girls , LOL (did Miley Cyrus shape anyone else's formative years?), and Booksmart , but flicks that cater to the Gen Z experience are hard to come by. Thankfully, 2022 has provided us with a more accurate representation of teens today — I mean, we finally have some of the best new teen movies dropping that cover a range of topics from grief to navigating first relationships (and queer ones, at that). While it's a small step toward seeing our real lives reflected on-screen, it's still progress.
We don't know about you, but this is by far our favorite movie genre, and lucky for us, we can expect to see a lot of them this year. So whether you are looking to find a new rom-com couple to stan or just looking for an easy way to escape, we've rounded up the 10 best new teen movies of 2022 (well, so far, anyway).
When overachiever Avery's long-distance boyfriend hints at wanting to take their relationship to the next level, she creates a study to get in touch with her sexuality. She enlists the help of her oldest friend, Larson, as a test subject. It results in more than sex education — Avery learns that there’s more to sex and love than mechanics.
Seventeen-year-old musical prodigy Lennie Walker struggles with overwhelming grief after her older sister, Bailey, suddenly passes. When Joe Fontaine, the charismatic new guy at school, enters Lennie's life, she's instantly drawn to him. Lennie's vivid imagination helps her navigate her first love and first loss to create a song of her own.
Tall Girl is back and better than ever. This time around, Jodi is popular, confident, and landed the lead role in her school's musical. Did we mention she also has a boyfriend now? Her new status brings on a ton of pressure and insecurities, and she's having trouble getting adjusted to all the changes. Jodi also forms new relationships while old ones are tested, and she realizes that standing tall comes with a whole new world.
In this coming-of-age comedy, Troye Sivan plays a punk gay teenager from Miami who's exposed to HIV the weekend of his high school graduation. As he waits the three-month period to get tested, he builds a bond with someone from his support group and makes some discoveries about himself along the way.
Thirteen-year-old Nate has big Broadway dreams, but he faces an issue when he isn't cast in the school play. So, he and his best friend Libby embark on an adventure to New York City where he unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost Aunt Heidi. Together, they must prove that life's greatest adventures are only as big as your dreams.
Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse's romantic comedy is set in the future, where the best of the best humans reside and colonize on Mars. They play two very different college students, Sophie and Walt, who join forces for an unlikely adventure so they can meet their significant others on Mars. The duo forms an unexpected friendship (and maybe something more) along the way.
In this comedy, two metal-loving friends Hunter and Kevin start a band but can't find a bassist. They end up enlisting the one girl in their high school who plays the cello so they can win the Battle of the Bands. Their friendship and musical skills are tested along the way, but it's all worth it in the end if they get to be worshipped like some of their favorite rockstars.
Rowan Blanchard stars as Paige, an aspiring artist who's forced to join her high school track team as punishment for painting punny murals across her high school campus. The only problem is she isn't the one who did it. She uses her new stint on the track team to track down the culprit and also pursue the girl she’s been crushing on since elementary school. She soon finds herself falling for an unexpected teammate and discovers what real love feels like.
In this comedy, Rebel Wilson stars as a high-school cheerleader who falls into a coma right before the biggest night of her senior year: prom. Twenty years later, she wakes up from her coma and decides to finish her high school education to reclaim her popularity and be crowned prom queen.
Grace VanderWaal will be reprising her role as Stargirl Caraway for the movie's sequel where the beloved character heads to Hollywood. She's set to perform original music for the new movie, which follows Stargirl as she meets aspiring filmmakers and stars in their movie musical.


Welcome to the Books for Teens 2022 Catalog!

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Read on to see all that 2022 has in store, including swoony romances, enchanting fantasies, intriguing mysteries, and much more!
Follow us on Twitter ( @MacmillanLib ) for all book-related news, on Instagram ( @Macmillan_Lib ) for pretty pictures of books, and read our “ Day’s YA ” reviews of upcoming and backlist YA titles.
Click here to view the Edelweiss catalog of these titles.
WA KING ROMEO by Kathryn Barker 9781250174109 Available now | 1/4/22 Flatiron Books Ages 12-18
A spectacularly genre-bending retelling of Romeo and Juliet that asks the big questions about true love, fate, and time travel. Year: 2083. Location: London. Mission: Wake Romeo. Can Jules wake Romeo—and rewrite her future?
“Packed with Shakespearean references both playful and somber . . . This breathtaking, meticulously plotted adventure revitalizes a classic into a vital call to hope for the pandemic generation.” — Publishers Weekly , starred review
WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE by Emma Lord 9781250783349 Available now | 1/4/22 Wednesday Books Ages 12-18
An effervescent, endearing, joyful contemporary romance of one young woman searching for her birth mother one summer, by New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.
“Brimming with energy, rapid-fire banter, and affectionate theater references, this memorable Mamma Mia! retelling explores the meaning of family . . . Lord thoughtfully pays homage to a recognizable conceit while skillfully modernizing it for today’s readers with knowing nods to social media and the stresses of contemporary adolescence.” — Publishers Weekly , starred review
“An entertaining personal journey with plot twists galore.” — Kirkus Reviews
YOU HAVE A MATCH by Emma Lord is now available in trade paperback (1/4/22).
SIEGE OF RAGE AND RUIN by Django Wexler is now available in trade paperback (1/4/22).
COLD THE NIGHT, FAST THE WOLVES by Meg Long 9781250785060 Available now | 1/11/22 Wednesday Books Ages 12-18
A captivating debut about survival, found family, and the bond between a girl and a wolf that delivers a fresh twist on classic survival stories and frontier myths. Sena Korhosen must compete in a sled race on her frozen planet in order to flee, but the tundra is a treacherous place, and as the race unfolds and their lives are threatened at every turn, Sena starts to question whether she and Iska together are strong enough to get them all out alive.
“The worldbuilding is intricate, and the icy setting is so detailed that readers will feel the need to bundle up as they speed through to the exciting and satisfying conclusion . . . Fast and furious.” — Kirkus Reviews
“In this atmospherically told debut . . . Long skillfully navigates her resourceful heroine through a treacherous, chillingly described tundra setting.” — Publishers Weekly
“A forceful debut for teen fans of danger, the outdoors, and the underworld” — School Library Journal
PERFECT FIFTHS by Megan McCafferty 9781250781871 Available now | 1/18/22 Wednesday Books Ages 13-18
The fifth and final book in the beloved, New York Times bestselling series—now with a new foreword by Rebecca Serle. Readers have followed Jessica through every step (and misstep) from her life as a high schooler, to her years in college, and a twenty-something stumbling towards adulthood. In the hilarious and satisfying conclusion to the Jessica Darling series, readers will finally get a peek inside the mind of Marcus Flutie, with a finale perfect in its imperfections.
ANATOMY: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz 9781250774156 Available now | 1/18/22 Wednesday Books Ages 13-18
A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.
“Schwartz’s magical novel is at once gripping and tender, and the intricate plot is engrossing as the reader tries to solve the mystery. She doesn’t miss a beat in either the characterization or action, scattering clues with a delicate, precise hand. This is, in the end, the story of the anatomy of the human heart.” — Booklist , starred review
“With an elegantly macabre touch, Schwartz stitches a haunting romance with the gritty realities of corpse-related medical practices in 19th-century Edinburgh.” — Publishers Weekly
THE SE DEADLY GAMES by Diana Urban 9781250797193 Available now | 2/1/22 Wednesday Books Ages 14-18
A must-read, propulsive YA thriller with deadly stakes, stunning twists, and a shocking ending you’ll never forget. Crystal’s little sister has been kidnapped, and the kidnapper is playing games with her. If Crystal wins the game, she gets her sister back, but if she refuses, she risks losing her sister forever. Diana Urban’s sophomore novel will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.
“A chilling and engaging thriller.” — Kirkus Reviews
EVERYTHING THAT BURNS by Gita Trelease is now available in trade paperback (2/8/22).
PAYBACK by Kristen Simmons is now available in trade paperback (2/8/22).
RECLAIM THE STARS: Seventeen Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Córdova 9781250790637 Available now | 2/15/22 Wednesday Books Ages 12-18
Seventeen fantasy and science fiction short stories from leading voices in the Latin American diaspora, including Daniel José Older, Anna-Marie McLemore, Mark Oshiro, Romina Garber, Isabel Ibañez, and more!
“There is a little something for everyone in this powerful, essential anthology.” — Kirkus Reviews , starred review
“Featuring 17 short stories from ‘a collective of science fiction and fantasy authors who spanned the Latin American diaspora,’ [this] anthology invites readers to expand the bounds of their belief with each impossible creation . . . each story leaves a distinct impression, and no voice or subject matter feels stale.” — Publishers Weekly , starred review
BRIGHT RUINED THINGS by Samantha Cohoe 9781250768841 Available now | 2/15/22 Wednesday Books Ages 13-18
Set over the course of one day, a girl realizes her life on a glittering, magical island isn’t what it seems in a 1920s-set fantasy, inspired by The Tempest .
“This dizzying struggle over power, magic, and dreams will sink readers into this ­fantasy’s web of ambition and family tension. A strong choice for libraries serving teens.” — School Library Journal
“Cohoe ably combines a postcolonial reading of The Tempest with the literary tradition of edgy, electric aristocrats and outsiders in London’s 1920s social scene.” —BCCB
FULL FLIGHT by Ashley Schumacher 9781250779786 Available now | 2/22/22 Wednesday Books Ages 12-18
A heartbreaking novel about finding your first love and what happens when it’s over too soon. When Anna’s strict parents forbid her from seeing the school rebel, Weston, Anna and Weston learn what it truly means to fight for something they love. With the marching band contest nearing and the two falling hard for one another, the unthinkable happens, and Anna is left grappling for a way forward without Weston.
“A powerful, unforgettable story of loneliness and belonging.” — Kirkus Reviews , starred review
EDGEWOOD by Kristen Ciccarelli 9781250821522 Available now | 3/1/22 Wednesday Books
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