vocabulary

Teen Slang Stew

Teen Slang Stew

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director




As Youth Ministry Director, I have the pleasure of leading Mission Adelante’s youth fellowship, Adelante Youth Club! Every Wednesday, teens from our neighborhood gather to play games, worship, and learn together. Over the years, I have noticed that though teens may go to different schools, play different sports, and come from different cultures, they all seem to speak a common language (not plain English) – the vocabulary of which I have slowly but surely picked up. So, here are the ingredients for a classic Teen Slang Stew. If you can’t follow, refer to the substitutions for more clarity! I am hoping I will have the instructions for the recipe in 2024! 

TEEN  $L@NG STEW

Yield: 💯
Prep time: A lifetime is ideal but 2 years at a minimum

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs cap

  • ¼ cup side eye (bombastic or criminal offensive preferred)

  • 1 tablespoon slay

  • ⅓  cup fire

  • 3 quarts tea

  • 2 teaspoons flex

  • 5 pints sus

  • 1 teaspoon ground fit check

  • 5 dope cloves

  • 2 quarts yeet

  • 1 ghosted, chopped

  • 4 finna, thinly sliced

  • 1 tablespoon bruh, chopped

  • 2 whole tryna

  • 10 bet

  • 1 cup periodt

  • ⅔ cup shook

  • 3 teaspoons dried vibing

  • 2 gallons bussin’

  • 1 16 oz can snatched, drained

  • 1 dash rizz, to taste

  • ¼ cup mid (optional)

  • 430 grams all-purpose clapback

  • 8 extra large it’s giving, diced

**Substitutions

  • Cap - fake or a lie

  • Side eye - expressing criticism, disapproval, animosity, or scorn. Side eyes have varying levels of intensity – bombastic or criminal offensive are the highest degree.

  • Slay - To be extremely stylish or successful at something

  • Fire - Hot, trendy, amazing, or on point (formerly "straight fire")

  • Tea - Gossip, situation, story, or news

  • Flex - To show off

  • Sus - Suspicious, shady, not to be trusted

  • Fit check - Show me or tell me about your outfit (fit is short for outfit)

  • Dope - Cool or awesome

  • Yeet - To throw something

  • Ghosted - To cut off communication

  • Finna - Intending to do something

  • Bruh - Used to express exasperation 

  • Tryna - Trying to

  • Bet - A way of saying “yes” or “ok” or “it’s on”

  • Periodt - Used for dramatic emphasis (I think)

  • Shook - To be incredibly shocked or shaken up

  • Vibing - Chilling out, having a good time

  • Bussin’ - Awesome or great, especially when referring to food

  • Snatched - Looks good, perfect, or fashionable; the new "on fleek"

  • Rizz - One’s appeal, allure or charisma

  • Mid - Low quality, mediocre, not good

  • Clapback - Quick and vicious response to criticism 

  • It’s giving - Precursor to describing the vibe, style, or mood something, someone or a situation is embodying

Experience the US/Mexico Border Encounter

You are invited to travel with Westside Family Church to the US/Mexico border the first week of April 2024 to raise awareness and learn firsthand what is happening at our border and more about the plight of refugees that come to our country. The purpose of this trip is to listen, learn, ask questions, and consider how God might have you get involved within Kansas City upon returning home.

If you are interested in joining them this Spring, April 3-6, 2024, click here for more info and to sign up: Border Encounter Application ( The deadline to sign up is December 20.)

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