Lingo: Extra

The Bridge: In a world where Gen Z’s attention is constantly being fought for, many go above and beyond to stand out, and Zoomers notice. In fact, they don’t quite appreciate the over-effort. Whether it be hyper-sexual music videos, politicians trying too hard to relate to them, or (and this is subjective) a really terrible outfit on instagram, teens across the country are using one word to describe when enough is really TOO much: “Extra”.

Overkill

Sometimes enough is too much, especially for Gen Z. With all the technological advancements, cultural movements, and wacky fashion trends, Zoomers have developed a sensitivity to things that go on, and on…and on – a bit too long.

From alcohol to social media, socially advanced youth are exercising moderation – but what about those of us that overindulge?

This week’s lingo is “Extra”, a word used to describe any and everything above what is required.

The Most 🎉

Like most Zoomer language, the power of the statement lies in its simplicity. Never wanting to come across as too judgmental or discriminatory, casually describing something as extra allows for teens to voice their disproval – similar to the phrase “it’s not giving”.

For example, the founder of Oculus (a virtual reality gaming company) claims to be making an exploding headset that will detonate if you lose while playing a game. Horrifying. Yes.

But we can’t help to imagine the Gen Z responses (and comments on social media) being full of “so extra 🙄”, and other interchangeable terms like “doing the most” and “doing too much”.

We agree.

Check out our lingo chart below for “extra” terms and definitions:

“Extra” – Something that is superfluous, annoying, and unnecessary.
“Doing too much / DTM” – A phrase often used to describe “extra” behavior, both online and offline.
“Go off (I guess)” – A phrase sarcastically used when someone is being obnoxious. “Go off” is a common compliment to greatness, adding “I guess”…not so much.
“Doing the most” – Similar to “doing too much”, this phrase is frequently used when someone overreacts to a situation – being “extra”.

What are some “extra” things you’ve noticed floating around the internet lately? Let us know in our comments! Make sure to follow our TikTok: @thegenbridge!