Generation Z has reportedly coined a new slang term, replacing the widely used 'Karen' with 'Jessica' to describe entitled or demanding behaviour. The shift was highlighted in a recent survey by Sky Mobile, which also declared 'LOL' a 'phone ick' among younger Britons.
The term 'Jessica' is said to have gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, where users apply it to individuals, typically women, who exhibit rude or confrontational attitudes in public settings. This evolution in slang comes as Collins Dictionary named 'vibe-coding' its word of the year for 2025.
Vibe-coding, popularised by AI expert Andrej Karpathy, refers to the practice of non-programmers creating code by instructing AI tools. Other words on Collins' list include 'aura-farming' (cultivating a cool persona), 'clanker' (a derogatory term for AI), and 'HENRY' (high earner, not rich yet).
Meanwhile, Dictionary.com selected '67' as its word of the year, a term used by schoolchildren to mean 'so-so' or to annoy parents. The site also noted 'tradwife' (traditional wife) and 'Gen Z stare' (a blank expression) as notable entries.
The survey of 2,000 Brits by Sky Mobile found that Gen Z now considers 'LOL' outdated, preferring alternatives like 'sending me' or the skull emoji. Influencer Boms, from London, criticised the acronym, calling it 'nonsense' and urging people to stop using it.
