Is using Gen Z lingo in the workplace cool or cringe?

It was my first time meeting Jason* over dinner with friends, and as always, work talk served as an easy icebreaker. The Gen Z creative shared an anecdote that left him speechless – and not in a good way

.He told us that during a shoot, one of his older colleagues said, “Wah, this picture is so slay hor?” Amid the laughter, Jason summed it up: “The energy was not it.”

Separately, Laura*, an intern, shared how her former boss, whom she described as “an English teacher type”  used TikTok-isms like “slay” and “no cap” during one of their meetings. Her verdict? “It was so cringe!”

What Gen Zs really think

Laura was quick to add that Gen Z slang isn’t off-limits to older folks – it’s when it feels forced that things get awkward. After all, language evolves, and every generation has its own lingo. Boomers had “groovy,” millennials had “YOLO,” and now Gen Z is all about “rizz,” “ate,” and “delulu.” But here’s the thing –  when anyone starts tossing these words around like they just memorised Urban Dictionary, it doesn’t always land right.

According to the University of Nottingham, a 2021 study found that when older folks use slang associated with the younger generation (like “rizz” or “GOAT”), it can come across as inauthentic. In fact, 79 per cent of survey respondents said they found such language inauthentic, with over half calling it outright cringy. One even stated: “Young people would likely see this as older people trying (and failing) to relate to them.”

Additionally, a Harvard Business Review report on multigenerational workplaces found that while people across age groups share many workplace values, mismatched communication styles can lead to awkwardness – especially when someone’s trying a bit too hard to connect.

When to use slang

So, does this mean that millennials, Gen Xs and Boomers should avoid internet talk altogether? Not quite. It’s about reading the room and knowing your audience. Saying “that strategy totally ate” to younger colleagues? Sure. Telling your boss the quarterly report “served”? Probably not.

Also, use it sparingly –  a little goes a long way. A playful “slay” lands better than an unironic one. Most importantly, be yourself. After all, nothing’s cooler than being authentic.