What Does Your Teen Mean By "NGL?": Decoding Teen Slang

Perhaps you must have felt too that your teen is using an entirely different language. It's as weird as one moment they might be discussing school and in the next, they casually drop in the word ‘NGL’ in all their conversations. So if you have also been secretly Googling about what it means, this article is for you. And possibly get ready to be a part of this ever-changing world of teen slang where parents are constantly scrambling the acronym rules to keep up with their Gen Z kids.

Read below this article to explore what NGL actually stands for and why teens are seen using it quite frequently.

NGL stands for ‘Not Gonna Lie.’ It is typically used by teens as a preface to an honest opinion or confession. So the next time they say, ‘NGL, I didn't study for today’s test,’ they probably mean it and are being truthful. 

The fun fact is every generation has its own slang. So before you actually roll out the term ‘NGL,’ know that in the 1950s, teens said ‘cool cat’ to describe someone trendy. In the ‘80s, everything was ‘totally rad.’ And in the 2000s, OMG and LOL were a thing, the revolutionary ones.

The only constant thing is that teen slang keeps on evolving, and surprisingly, adults catch up with it just when it's going out of style.

If you feel teen slang ‘NGL’ is merely a way to be cool, it's not; it's rather a form of identity and connection. These acronyms actually allow teens to communicate faster and keep things casual while blending in with their peers.

With almost 84 percent of teens being the main hangouts of social media players such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, it has turned quite trendy to use short, snappy communication and slang such as NGL in their day-to-day conversations. The reason? It just fits perfectly into the character limits and those fast, quick conversations.

It is essentially important to keep up with the teen slang as it's not just about bridging that generational gap but also bridging that communication gap. It portrays that you’re actually interested in your kid’s world, which eventually allows for deeper conversations with your little ones.

Are you thinking of ways to stay updated without embarrassing yourself or to stop yourself from becoming that parent who tries just too hard? Here are a few helpful tips so you can stay updated about the latest teen slang trends.

The best way is to casually ask your teen about what it means whenever you hear a new term. Did you know that they are much more interested in explaining when they don't feel like they are being interrogated?

If you want to decode those typical teen slangs, there’s nothing better than resorting to a Google search. Sometimes, the definitions may shock you. So be prepared!

Another approach is to carefully pay attention to the phrases you notice that are being used frequently, particularly in text messages or social media posts. Who knows, you might get some context clues or hints.

In short, teen slang such as NGL is actually a way for kids to express themselves. Of course, you don't need to adopt their lingo; however, showing your teen that you are curious is what matters too. Who knows, you might learn something new as well! The next time you hear an NGL in a conversation, you totally understand that.