They may have been incredibly popular a few years ago, but there are plenty of millennial sayings that are now widely considered overused and even cringy. This article shares 19 of the common words and phrases that people might still use ironically but are definitely past their prime.
“I can’t even”
This millennial phrase is used to express an overwhelming emotional response, typically frustration or astonishment. It essentially reflects a loss for words or an inability to deal with a situation. Fortunately for those who hate hearing it, the overused saying is slowly getting phased out!
“JOMO”
The acronym “JOMO” stands for “joy of missing out,” a twist on the more well-known “FOMO” or “fear of missing out.” People use it to express their happiness at being able to stay home and disconnect from social activities—though it’s become quite a cringy phrase to use over the years.
“Break the internet”
Urban Dictionary defines this phrase as “causing a large commotion on the world wide web with many social networks and news outlets discussing the same thing.” The saying was popularized by viral media stunts or highly shareable social media posts. If one thing’s for sure, you wouldn’t catch a Gen-Z saying this!
“Humble brag”
When people use this phrase, it’s basically a subtle way of bragging while pretending to be modest. Millennials often use it when complaining or understating something that’s actually intended to impress others. Having heard it so many times, we can honestly say the world is now sick of it.
“Turn up”
Those older than millennials likely don’t understand this and those younger wouldn’t be caught dead uttering it—either way, people don’t want to hear it anymore. To “turn up” means to get excited, turn up the energy, or even get drunk, typically in relation to a party or celebration.
“Bye Felicia”
A few years ago, using the phrase “Bye Felicia” would elicit laughter from all around. Now, it’s a pretty dated saying. For those who don’t know, it’s used as a blunt, dismissive farewell, indicating that the person leaving isn’t significant. It actually originated from the movie Friday and was used on annoying characters.
“Pics or it didn’t happen”
As shared by Know Your Meme, this one is “often used on message boards or in comments to challenge an unbelievable or outlandish claim by inquiring photographic evidence.” It began being used because people tend to exaggerate or fabricate experiences on social media and was then used humorously among friends or in online interactions.
“You got owned”
Once very popular, this phrase is now almost exclusively used ironically, as anyone using it seriously would most likely be judged. It essentially indicates that someone has been defeated or outperformed, typically in a competitive or argumentative environment, such as online gaming.
“True dat”
If you’re a millennial, you’re probably guilty of using this phrase a few too many times over the years. It’s slang for “that’s true,” acknowledging agreement with something that’s been said in a casual way. In 2024, however, people have had enough of it and anyone using it is considered pretty uncool.
“Gotta bounce”
When someone has to “bounce,” it means they need to leave or head home. A few years ago, lots of younger people were using the phrase to nonchalantly announce their departures, especially when exiting social gatherings with friends, but thankfully the saying is also on its way out now.
“Left on read”
Another overused phrase that everyone is sick of is “left on read,” which means “one person sending a text communication to someone else without getting a response back,” as per Cosmopolitan. It’s often associated with feelings of being ignored or slighted in online interactions.
“Mood”
Millennials use the word “mood” to express identification with or recognition of someone else’s feelings or situation. It’s used more on social media than in real life, but it’s still a very common saying when people relate to something. Since it’s very overused, however, people are getting tired of it.
“On fleek”
The phrase “on fleek” was absolutely everywhere a few years ago, but use it now and you’ll be considered stuck in the past by younger generations. When something is “on fleek,” it means that it’s perfectly styled or groomed, originally popularized by social media in relation to eyebrows.
“Snatched”
Similarly, to be “snatched” means to be looking good, perfectly styled, or attractive, often used to compliment someone’s appearance or outfit. The word has roots in drag culture, showcasing the cross-cultural influence of millennial slang, though Gen Z has come up with plenty of new words to replace it.
“Spilling tea”
If you’ve got any gossip or juicy details to share, you’ve got tea to spill—at least, according to millennials, that is! In this instance, tea symbolizes scandalous information, often shared among close circles or publicly on social media. The phrase is still used today, but people are starting to get sick of it.
“Sus”
The word “sus” is used to describe something (or someone) shady or dubious and is a shortened form of the word ‘suspicious.’ USA Today says that “the term became popular in the 2020s thanks to the multiplayer online game Among Us.” We all know that millennials love to abbreviate, and this is just one example!
“She/He is canceled”
If you’ve heard of “cancel culture,” a movement that holds individuals accountable for their actions by withdrawing support for them, you’ll know what it means when someone gets “canceled.” In recent years, people have gotten increasingly sick of hearing this phrase.
“IRL”
This once-popular saying stands for “in real life” and is used to distinguish actual events from those occurring online. When typed, it’s not so bad—but when spoken out loud, it can be incredibly frustrating! It has no fewer syllables than the actual words!
“Receipts”
Yet another millennial word people are sick of hearing is “receipts,” which is a slang term that means ‘proof’ or ‘evidence.’ It’s mainly used in the context of calling out someone’s dishonesty or hypocrisy. While we support accountability, the word is pretty annoying to hear when it’s used so often!
