As 2025 wraps up and we enter 2026, language continues to evolve, and teenagers’ vocabulary changes every day, but not every slang word or phrase deserves to come along for the ride. Throughout this past year, Gen Z has come up with many short phrases that have been overused, misused, or inappropriate.

The Emperor Grapevine staff has discussed this at length, and the following list highlights the words that have run their course and NEED to be retired. We, as a generation, will leave these words behind and make room for new and improved ones. 

Note: 67 tops everyone’s list for obvious reasons.  Let’s not even discuss it.

1. Baby Boo

Meaning/origin: The term “Baby boo” first started trending when a rapper named Young Boy Never Broke’s song called “What You Is” included the line, “She gon’ call me baby booter.” But the confusion mainly came from people mishearing the line as “baby boo.” After people heard this, it became a popular sound bite on TikTok, where many people began making dances to it.

Why it should be banned: EGV staff determined the phrase to be “overused,” “cringy,” and “ridiculous.”

2. Where my hug at?

Meaning/origin: It is a term often used as a joke by older classmen, typically males, in a mocking manner. Example: In a situation, it would be used if a senior has a relationship with a freshman girl and makes fun of the scenario and asks for a hug in a cringy way. Many think it’s inappropriate and just immature, so kids like to say it, mocking the situation. 

Why it should be banned: An EGV staffer member stated, “I honestly think it’s so weird and creepy how an almost 18-year-old, about to graduate, mind you, wants to talk to a kid fresh out of middle school like bro, you can not tell me that’s not crazy.”

3. Dubai 

Meaning/origin: Yes, Dubai is an actual place, but when someone says “Dubai,” they aren’t talking about the country, but instead the chocolate. Dubai chocolate gained popularity on TikTok when a pregnant woman had a pregnancy craving, inspiring the creation of Dubai chocolate. It became so popular that it came up with many variations like Dubai chocolate strawberries, Dubai chocolate ice cream, Dubai chocolate brownies, and other Dubai-inspired desserts.

Why it should be banned: One student stated, “I honestly think ‘Dubai’ should be a banned word because, like, it is just a city and it shouldn’t be anything else. Yes, they do have chocolate, but making it a phrase that everyone says every day is just not necessary.”

3. Huzz 

Meaning/origin: The word game originated from streamers online, and it has spread to TikTok media. This word is slang for crush or when you might find someone attractive, having a crush on them, or in ¨talking¨ status with them.

Why it should be banned: 

4. Mogging

Meaning/origin: ¨Mogging” is when you stand out in a group picture, therefore, for your looks. For example, you take a photo with your friends, and you stand out the most, whether you look the best, the lighting, or the way you’re dressed.

Why it should be banned: It should be banned because it negatively affects society’s beauty standards and expectations for appearance, and it may influence people’s views on their own appearance, especially among younger teens. 

5. Mewing 

Meaning/origin: Mewing is named after British orthodontist John Mew, who started promoting the method, and it is also named after him. It is a method you may try to make yourself look better in photos. It’s mostly done by guys to show off their jawline and make it more prominent. It’s done by putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth a certain way to show your sharper looking jawline.

Why it should be banned: See “mogging” explanation.

6. Chopped cheese

Meaning/origin: This phrase is used to call someone or something ugly or odd in a harsh way. Ex. ¨I look like chopped cheese¨ ( I look ugly).

Why it should be banned: “I believe that the term ‘chopped cheese’ should be banned because the term refers to someone’s looks as something very negative, and it doesn’t promote kindness.”

7. Clock it

Meaning/origin: The term comes from ballroom and drag culture and was used to call someone out. It is used when someone has something to confront or address, such as calling someone out. Ex. She told the girl that she didnt like her attitude, clock it.

Why it should be banned: One EGV staffer stated, “Just agree instead of saying this.”  Another described it as “girly.”

8. UwU

Meaning/origin: It´s used as an expression, or you can say ¨emoji¨ ¨U¨´s are the eyes, and the ¨w¨ is the cute smiling mouth. It was popular within the anime and manga fandoms as a cute emoji representing a happy, soft, or affectionate face.

Why it should be banned: “It’s so freaking corny, I don’t know why people still even say it.”

9. I know Dada

Meaning/origin: The word means someone is acknowledging or claiming knowledge about a respected, powerful, or “in charge” person. 

Why it should be banned: We should get rid of it because it just sounds weird, and as if you’re disrespecting the person in charge.

10. Kirkified 

Meaning/origin: The words originate from Charlie Kirk, an American Republican political activist. As he would go on many campaigns to preach on his political rights. He was very well known for going to colleges and speaking on his opinions on political views, and the students would either agree or disagree. But on September 10, 2025, he was brutally assassinated. He enjoyed talking about his political views, which millions did not agree with, so when his death occurred, many were glad and started to make videos, jokes, and even started photoshopping his face onto other images, which ended up resulting in the word “Kirkified.”

Why it should be banned: “I mean, I personally didn’t like him. I thought the point he was trying to prove was stupid, or whatever, but I also don’t think it’s okay to make a joke out of a dead person.”