A new linguistic survey has uncovered the words that make Brits squirm with embarrassment in everyday conversation, revealing stark generational divides in what is considered 'cringe'. The study, conducted by language learning platform Preply, quizzed over 1,500 UK adults to identify the most irritating slang terms currently in circulation.
The Most Cringeworthy Words According to Brits
Preply enlisted 1,502 UK adults aged 18-64 for their comprehensive survey on embarrassing language. Across all age groups, the numerical phrase '6,7' emerged as the most cringeworthy term, deemed embarrassing by 24.4% of respondents. This was closely followed by the viral internet term 'skibbidi' at 21.6%, with 'preggo' (20.8%) and 'sorry, not sorry' (18.1%) completing the top four most irritating expressions.
Gen Z's Distinct Linguistic Sensibilities
The survey revealed particularly strong reactions among Generation Z respondents, who displayed markedly different preferences from older demographics. For this digitally-native cohort, 'skibbidi' provoked the strongest negative reaction, with 37% of Gen Z respondents identifying it as their most cringeworthy word - significantly higher than the overall average.
Yolanda Del Peso, spokesperson at Preply, explained this generational divide: "Gen Z's relationship with language is incredibly fast-moving. Unlike previous generations, they are growing up in a digital environment where new words can emerge, become popular or 'cringe' within a matter of months - or even weeks!"
The Accelerated Slang Lifecycle
According to Del Peso, social media platforms have dramatically shortened the lifespan of trendy expressions. "Platforms like Instagram and TikTok definitely accelerate this cycle: a phrase might start as a joke or trend within a niche community, go viral globally, and then quickly become overused. Once it reaches mass adoption, especially among older generations or brands, it often loses its original appeal and becomes 'cringeworthy'."
This phenomenon explains why terms that recently seemed cutting-edge can rapidly fall out of favor. "Ultimately, what we're seeing is a shortening of the slang lifecycle," Del Peso added. "Words move from 'cool' to 'mainstream' to 'uncool' faster than ever before, reflecting how digitally connected and culturally responsive Gen Z is."
Complete List of Gen Z's Cringe Words
The survey identified numerous terms that specifically irritate younger respondents:
- Skibbidi
- 6-7
- Rizz
- Fri yay
- Din dins
- Moist
- Slay
- Bussin
- Wine o'clock
- Wifey
- Holibobs
- Preggo
- Bae
- Fur baby
- YOLO
Several expressions appeared exclusively on Gen Z's cringe list but not in the overall rankings. 'Fri-yay' - slang for Friday - irritated 19% of younger respondents, while 'din dins' (short for dinner) annoyed 17%. Other Gen Z-specific pet peeves included 'moist', 'bussin', 'wine o'clock', and 'fur baby'.
Language as Identity Marker
Del Peso emphasized that for Generation Z, language serves as a crucial marker of identity and social belonging. "Using trending slang can signal that you're culturally in-the-know, but continuing to use it after its peak can have the opposite effect," she explained. "This explains why many young people both mock and deliberately use 'cringeworthy' terms ironically. Irony culture allows them to stay one step ahead of the trend cycle while still participating in it."
Understanding Modern Slang Terminology
The survey also provided definitions for some of the most prominent contemporary expressions:
Skibidi: Originating from the YouTube series 'Skibidi Toilet', this versatile term can mean anything from good to bad, cool to weird, depending on context.
Slay: Used to indicate that someone has performed exceptionally well or impressed others.
Bussin: Describes something as delicious or particularly enjoyable.
It's giving: A phrase used to convey appreciation or describe someone's vibe, as in "it's giving CEO" meaning "you are giving CEO energy."
Aura points: A system for quantifying how cool someone is and whether they bring positive energy, with points gained or lost based on 'cringe' behavior.
Sigma: Describes someone as a dominant leader or lone wolf who is both cool and popular.
The research highlights how rapidly language evolves in the digital age, with social media platforms serving as both incubators and accelerators for new expressions that can quickly transition from trendy to tiresome.
