Walk through just about any comment section, TikTok video, or Discord server today, and you’ll encounter baffling slang terms like “cap,” “rizz,” “gyat,” and “no kizzy.” While some find this modern vernacular fun and even poetic, others react with a mix of confusion, disdain, and even outright hostility. On Reddit and across social media, many users openly criticize the use of Gen Z slang, branding it immature, performative, or just plain annoying. So why does this specific linguistic evolution polarize people so much?
TL;DR
Modern slang like “cap,” “gyat,” and “rizz” may help younger generations bond and express identity, but it also triggers frustration in others who see it as immature or exclusionary. Reddit threads reveal a range of reactions, from lighthearted teasing to intense disdain. Language is always evolving, but the pace and platform-driven nature of today’s slang make it especially divisive. At its core, the backlash often reflects deeper beliefs about communication, culture, and authenticity.
Where These Terms Came From: A Quick Breakdown
Before diving into the controversy, let’s briefly define the main slang terms under fire:
- Cap: Used to say someone is lying. “No cap” means “I’m not lying.”
- Rizz: Short for charisma, especially used in flirting situations. If someone has “rizz,” they’re charming or smooth.
- Gyat: An exclamation expressing surprised admiration—usually directed toward someone’s physical appearance, especially their backside.
- No kizzy: Similar to “no cap,” it emphasizes honesty or sincerity.
These terms, frequently popularized by platforms like TikTok and Twitch, often evolve from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), rap lyrics, or internet memes. They catch on like wildfire within digital subcultures and often spread beyond their originators.
“If You Use That Term Unironically, I Will Assume That You Are Immature” — Real Reddit Rage
One of the most viral Reddit comments about modern slang bluntly states: “If you use that term unironically, I will assume that you are immature.” It was posted in a thread complaining about “rizz” and “no cap” making their way into everyday conversation. The comment resonated with thousands of upvotes, echoes, and elaborations.
This outrage isn’t limited to a single instance. Dig into r/NoStupidQuestions, r/linguistics, or even r/AskReddit, and you’ll discover a recurring sentiment: many people feel alienated, annoyed, or even insulted by rapidly changing internet slang.
Why the Hate?
Several major reasons emerge from online discussions:
- Generational Divide: Many older users grew up with gradients of slang that changed relatively slowly. Now, thanks to social media, new lexicons emerge almost monthly. It can create a sense of disconnection and confusion.
- Perceived Immaturity: Words like “gyat” are sometimes associated with hyperbole or juvenile humor, leading to perceptions that they reflect immaturity or a lack of seriousness.
- Authenticity Crisis: Slang terms often begin in specific communities (especially Black and LGBTQ+ communities) and get co-opted by outsiders. Some Redditors call this “mining culture for clout” and accuse users of using slang to perform a persona rather than express themselves naturally.
- Exclusionary Language: Even if unintentionally, slang can act like an inside joke. Those unfamiliar with the terms may feel out of the loop or even mocked.
“Cringe” Culture and the Need to Feel Superior
Reddit is no stranger to “cringe” culture—where users take pride in calling out behaviors they find embarrassing or inauthentic. This gives rise to posts like “People who say ‘rizz’ in real life need to be stopped” or “Am I the only one who cringes when someone says ‘gyat’?” These comments often garner hundreds or thousands of upvotes, creating an echo chamber where ridicule becomes the norm.
But why such passionate reactions to a few syllables? Linguists suggest the reason runs deeper. According to Dr. Lynne Murphy, a linguist at the University of Sussex, “Mocking language is often a coded way to mock the people who use it.” In other words, the ridicule is rarely just about the words—it’s about who is using them, and the cultural judgment attached.
Shifting Digital Norms Accelerate Resistance
Unlike past decades, where slang typically stayed confined to certain schoolyards or city corners, today’s internet-fed vernacular is omnipresent. A new term can come from a niche Twitch streamer and become national lingo within a week. For some, that’s exciting—linguistic Darwinism at its finest. For others, it feels like a whiplash culture they can’t follow or make sense of.
Moreover, the performative nature of the internet incentivizes users to lean into virality. Saying “rizz” on TikTok isn’t just speaking—it’s engaging with an algorithm, crafting a trending persona, and attracting dopamine-generating likes. No wonder it ruffles feathers.
Does Slang Really Equal Immaturity?
One of the most common criticisms—voiced loudly on Reddit—is that using trendy slang signifies mental regression or lack of growth. But history doesn’t always support that claim.
Slang has existed for centuries. Shakespeare invented words. Jazz culture gave us “cool.” In the ’90s, “dope,” “phat,” and “mad props” had their moment in the sun—and were likewise dismissed by older generations as meaningless fluff. And yet, people turned out just fine.
In fact, slang plays several essential roles in communication:
- Group Identity: Slang fosters camaraderie among people with shared interests or demographics.
- Creativity: Making new words or twisting old meanings shows linguistic playfulness.
- Emotional Nuance: Some slang expresses feelings far more effectively than standard vocabulary.
So perhaps it’s not that people using “kizzy” are immature—but rather that critics are holding language to a fixed standard that’s always been subject to change.
Balancing Act: How to Criticize Without Dismissing
This doesn’t mean all slang should go unexamined. Some Redditors and linguists point out problematic aspects—like the appropriation of AAVE by influencers who lack awareness of its cultural roots. Similarly, terms like “gyat” can cross into objectification territory, and being socially mindful about such language is crucial.
But criticizing in a constructive way is more effective than blanket dismissals. Saying “that’s cringey” serves more to alienate than to educate.
One Redditor, in a thoughtful post on r/OutOfTheLoop, wrote: “I don’t get ‘rizz’—but I asked my cousin and now I kind of love it. Language is ridiculous anyway. Why not be fun with it?”
In the End, It’s Just Words—Until It’s Not
If you’ve ever bristled at hearing “cap” in conversation, that’s valid. But remember: your parents likely thought “cool” sounded foolish once, too. Language is a living organism, and modern slang is just another way it adapts to a changing ecosystem of technology, identity, and expression.
So next time someone throws out “no kizzy,” take a breath. You don’t have to use it. But understanding why people do reveals more than just vocab—it offers a glimpse into how generation after generation keeps reinventing the way we communicate.
Final thought: Even if you roll your eyes at today’s slang, tomorrow’s will be even weirder. And someone will hate it just as much.