Brainrot is a term used to describe the negative impact of overconsuming low quality content online, particularly on Tiktok. This low quality content has become the origin of a lot of memes and their own slang. Brainrot words are terms and phrases that have originated from low quality content and memes online. The majority of these words are complete nonsense and references to cultural memes. As a result, much of teen slang and Gen Alpha slang is related to brainrot content online.
If you’re a parent, you likely hear your kids saying things that you don’t understand. This can be incredibly frustrating. We have put together this resource to help you get a better understanding of what your kids are saying and referencing when they speak using brainrot words.
What are Brainrot Words?
Brainrot words are mostly nonsense catchphrases that are references to memes within Gen Alpha and Gen Z. Younger generations are leaning into brainrot content as a form of entertainment. These words are typically the result of a viral meme on Tiktok, and can come up really quickly. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are proud of their ability to keep up with these words, and part of the fun is that older generations can’t keep up. As a result, many brainrot words are absurd and used ironically to make the context even more difficult to understand.
Brainrot Words List
These are some of the most popular brainrot words. The majority of these words originated from short-form videos on Tiktok that then went on to become memes. As the videos go viral, the word spreads and makes its way into teen slang.
Ohio – Used to describe something very bad or cursed. This comes from the internet joke about the state of Ohio having a weird or negative reputation.
6-7 – A nonsense phrase from the drill rap song Doot Doot by Skrilla. In the song, “six seven” is said right before the beat drops. The audio clip went viral on TikTok.
Cringe – Something extremely embarrassing or awkward. It comes from the physical reaction of cringing due to secondhand embarrassment.
Sybau – Acronym for “shut your b*tch *ss up.” Used online to quickly shut down someone’s comment or opinion.
Duke Dennis – A well-known YouTuber and Twitch streamer, famous for his NBA 2K gameplay and energetic personality. He’s also a key member of the AMP content group and frequently appears in memes and viral clips.
Fr – Short for “for real.” Used to show agreement or seriousness.
Did You Pray Today? – A reference to an audio clip of rapper Young Thug that went viral on TikTok. Like most brainrot words, it is often used jokingly or out of context.
Sussy Imposter – A mash-up of “sussy” (short for suspicious) and “imposter,” both popularized by the game Among Us.
Glazing – Giving someone way too much praise, to the point where it seems like sucking up or being overly obsessed.
Doom Scrolling – Mindlessly scrolling through negative or overwhelming social media content, especially on TikTok.
Fine Shyt – A term used to describe a very attractive woman. Usually said with admiration.
Skibidi – A nonsense word made famous by the viral Skibidi Toilet videos on YouTube. Skibidi is one of the most popular and iconic brainrot words and is credited with pioneering the genre.
Sigma – Refers to a “sigma male,” supposedly above an alpha male. The term is often used ironically to mock masculinity stereotypes.
Chad – A slang term used to describe a stereotypically attractive, confident, and popular guy. Often used sarcastically to mock over-the-top masculinity or social dominance.
Gigachad – An exaggerated version of a “Chad.” Gigachad represents the peak of physical perfection and confidence, often used humorously or ironically to describe someone who is seen as untouchably attractive or dominant.
Aura Points – A made-up unit of measurement for how cool someone is. People can gain or lose aura points based on their actions.
Negative Aura – A made-up term used to describe someone with a bad vibe or uncool energy. When someone loses so many aura points that they’re put in the negative, then they have negative aura.
Blud – A slang term short for “blood,” often used in British slang to refer to a friend, brother, or close associate. Commonly used online in humorous or exaggerated contexts.
Shmlawg – A playful twist on the word “dawg,” used to refer to a friend or buddy. The exaggerated spelling adds a layer of irony or absurdity often found in brainrot humor.
Not the Mosquito Again – A meme phrase used to show frustration or disbelief when something annoying keeps happening. Often used jokingly in reaction to repeated minor annoyances or online chaos.
Put the Fries in the Bag – A nonsense meme phrase that mimics a threatening or urgent demand, usually said in a dramatic or exaggerated voice.
Goon Cave – A private space set up for “gooning,” which refers to spending extended periods in a state of arousal. Often includes multiple screens, mood lighting, and is jokingly associated with watching a lot of adult content.
Low Taper Fade – Originally a popular haircut, this phrase is now used (often sarcastically) to describe something trendy or desirable.
Cooked – Slang for being in trouble, messed up, or in a hopeless situation.
Crash Out – To completely lose control or have an emotional meltdown.
Rizz – A person’s ability to flirt or attract others romantically. Comes from “charisma.”
Top G – A nickname made popular by Andrew Tate, meant to represent a dominant or successful man. Often used sarcastically.
Anita Max Wynn – A play on words that sounds like “I need a max win.” Refers to Drake’s online gambling persona.
Zesty – Describes someone acting flamboyantly or with exaggerated energy. Can be playful or mocking.
Fanum Tax – A joke about stealing a bite of a friend’s food. Named after the YouTuber Fanum, who often does this in videos.
Gyatt – Slang used to describe a woman with an especially attractive backside.
Looksmaxxing – Putting effort into improving your appearance through grooming, fitness, or style upgrades.
Mewing – A trend involving jaw exercises and proper tongue posture, believed to improve jawline definition.
NPC – Stands for “non-playable character.” Used to describe someone who seems unoriginal or robotic, like background characters in video games.
Goofy Ahh – A phrase used to describe someone or something as silly, ridiculous, or bizarre. Often used in a mocking or playful way in memes and TikTok videos.
Goated With the Sauce – Slang for someone who is extremely skilled or impressive. “Goated” comes from “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time), and “with the sauce” adds extra flair.
Biggest Bird – A meme phrase used to brag or flex, usually in a ridiculous or exaggerated way. It comes from viral TikToks and is often paired with the line, “I’m the biggest bird.”
Chungus – A meme that features a comically large version of Bugs Bunny. The word “chungus” is now used more broadly to describe anything oversized or absurd.
Uwu – An emoticon that represents a cute, shy, or happy face. Commonly used in anime, K-pop, and furry communities to show affection or excitement.
Italian Brainrot Words
Italian Brainrot is AI-generated content that is purposefully and ironically low quality. This includes a variety of absurd characters with ridiculous made up lore behind them. While there are hundreds of Italian Brainrot words and characters, only a handful are really popular and mainstream.
Tralalero Tralala – An Italian brainrot character known for being a blue shark that wears Nike sneakers. Frequently appears in surreal or absurd meme content.
Ballerina Cappuccina – One of the most iconic brainrot characters. She has a cappuccino cup for a head and the body of a ballerina. Often seen spinning or dancing in dreamlike videos.
Ballerina Cappuccina Brainrot
Cappuccino Assassino – A stealthy ninja version of Ballerina Cappuccina. This character has a disposable coffee cup for a head and usually appears in combat-themed or fast-paced edits.
Chimpanzini Bananini – This Italian brainrot character features a chimpanzee shaped like a banana.
Chimpanzini Bananini Italian Brainrot Example
Tung Tung Tung Sahur – A wooden creature holding a bat. Often shown in brainrot videos as a recurring main character.
Bombombini Gusini – A whimsical character whose name alone has become viral. The design usually includes exaggerated, cartoonish features and is central to many nonsensical brainrot edits.
Lirili Larila – A character with a soft, melodic name often used in whimsical or dreamlike AI brainrot videos. The appearance is usually colorful and elf-like or fairy-tale inspired.
Bombardino Crocodilo – A chaotic mash-up of a bomber, a drink (Bombardino), and a crocodile.
Bombino Crocodilo Italian Brainrot
Frigo Camelo – A surreal combination of a refrigerator and a camel. This brainrot character walks the line between absurd and hilarious, making frequent appearances in AI-generated nonsense videos.
What Can Be Considered Brainrot?
Brainrot content is a type of online content that is silly, random, and often low quality. Generally, it shows up in short videos on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels. Gen Alpha and Gen Z frequently send these videos to their friends, and also share them a lot at school. After friends laugh at a video, it can become a form of an inside joke. Brain rot videos use strange sounds, weird humor, and quick edits to grab your attention. This kind of content has created its own slang and inside jokes that many teens now use when they talk to each other.