I am a millennial. For those in their early 20s, that might sound ancient, but let me assure you, we have still got plenty to say. We run companies, launch startups, get married (and divorced), travel, and discuss politics — and yes, we watch Reels and TikToks, too. So does Gen Z and every other generation — even boomers are still hanging in there (especially when it comes to politics). And, of course, there will always be that familiar generation gap humour. While we are discovering that houseplants and jogging are actually good ideas, zoomers are out there laughing at us, cancelling the language and spelling conventions we have used for years. Laughing emojis are passé now, and capital letters are a thing of the past. No one replies with LOL, let alone LMAO at the most hilarious video of a kitten chasing its tail. And then there are the new words. One day, you wake up and realise you haven’t the faintest idea what is going on. Are you delulu? Are you from Ohio? Have you lost all your rizz?

Sure, you could browse explanation lists and watch Reels, where Gen Z slang gets translated into something remotely human. But should you? I don’t think so, and here is why.

So, you have learned to cringe. Well, surprise, surprise — no one says cringe anymore. And by the time you have picked up the latest replacement, it will have already been swapped for something even more absurd.

Remember when your parents tried to chat with you and your friends in a cool way? Well, here is the reality check: you have become that awkward adult. So, instead of trying to keep up, you are better off learning another dad joke — the kids will appreciate it... in 10 to 15 years.

Honestly, Gen Z is as doomed as we are. Generation Alpha is already emerging, and believe me, you don’t want to know about Skibidi toilets. Let zoomers and alphas have their battles, while you continue quoting The Office and Friends and calling everyone dude.

We live in a world where you can’t always tell whether the person in front of you is 18 or 38. But if you say dope instead of gas, and they don’t look at you in bewilderment, you can relax — that person was definitely born in the 20th century.

I recently asked some Gen Z friends why they use the chair emoji instead of skulls (if you’re lost, these are the new laughing faces). One of them explained that the chair reminds them of "h", which stands for "ha" — so 🪑🪑🪑 means hahaha. Another said they use chairs to invite people to sit down while reading amusing comments. So, if they can’t agree on the meaning themselves, why should you worry? Just chillax and enjoy tending to your new houseplant. After all, we are not boomers... yet.