Facebook Slang, an article for those parents tired of asking their teens to please speak English…
As a parent with a teen growing up in the millennium, you have likely been exposed to a whole new segment of teen lingo: Facebook jargon. Without the slightest understanding of Facebook, most of what your teens are saying is fairly impossible to comprehend. Worry not. Presented before you is a detailed breakdown of what each, nonsensical Facebook related expression means. In addition, we have included an appropriate response to facilitate an actual – brace yourself – conversation. We hope this helps:
Your kid: Me and Jason are in a poking war.
Translation: Jason and your child our engaged in a virtual "poking" war. Facebook has a feature where you can "poke" a friend. Said friend will then receive a message that says, "So-and-so poked you. Poke back?" This can go on for weeks, months, even years. What's the point of this? Nobody is quite sure.
Suggested Follow-Up Questions: Who started it?
Your kid: My crops are dying.
Translation: Contrary to what you may assume, your child did not casually pick up farming. He/she is most likely referring to "FarmVille," a virtual game on Facebook where you can create your own farm, complete with crops, animals, a house, and more. Other Facebook friends can "visit" your farm and comment on how great it looks.
Suggested Follow-Up Question: Have you been visiting your friends' farms and helping them fertilize their plants? You know that gives you more fuel…
Your kid: My best friend and I are married!
Translation: No, your child has not regressed back to third grade when it was cool to stage weddings on the playground. Instead, he/she simply finds it terribly amusing to virtually "marry" his/her best friend on Facebook. This way, under "relationship status" it will say "married to x." Think of this as the new and improved best friends' necklace.
Suggested Follow-Up Question: None. Just smile and nod.
Your kid: My friend tagged me in this picture.
Translation: On Facebook, it is popular to "tag" people in pictures, which basically means adding their name at the bottom of the picture to identify who each person is. This can sometimes get confusing because many teens find it funny to tag their friends as animals, random people, and even buildings. Therefore, if you happen to see your child tagged as a funny looking cat, do not despair. His friends do not actually view him as a cat.
Suggested Follow-Up Question: Can I see it? (Do not be perturbed if your teen says no. In fact, expect this).
Your kid: I joined a group in support of soda!
Translation: Your child feels strongly that "soda" is the preferred term over "pop" and joined a group stating as much on Facebook. Even if he/she does not feel strongly about this, it is still important to join a group.
Suggested Follow-Up Question: Is your soda group beating the pop group?
Your kid: Dude, I just got moved up to a mogul. Awesome.
Translation: Your teen is involved in a game known as "Mafia Wars" on Facebook that involves starting a "mafia" with his/her friends, moving up levels, and buying weapons with his/her virtual money.
Suggested Follow-Up Question: Are you planning any attacks, sweetie?
These six translations should help clarify much of what your teen talks about on a daily basis. Unless, of course, your teen has become engaged in the ever popular Twitter. In which case, you may be in dire need of another translator!
Emily Goll is the editor of My Dog Ate My Blog and has also written about accredited online universities for Guide to Online Schools.
If you still need help, check out the iPhone app, LRNtheLingo. It is great at defining and explaining texting codes, emoticons and all types of slang.
See also:
ABC News Video on Teens and Texting with JuJu Chang
Urban Dictionary: You too can know understand all these crazy new words
How Teens Use Technology in Their Social Lives: Ericsson CES Preview
