What’s GYAT and why are teens saying it?
Be warned: It’s not a G-rated phrase.
According to Bark, an on the internet monitoring business that tracks teenage slang, GYAT (which rhymes with “squat” or “bought”), can be an acronym for “Girl Your A** Thicc” or an abbreviation for “goddamn.”
Imagine it not, teenagers necessarily mean it as a compliment.
City Dictionary describes that “GYAT” is applied when complimenting a person with a curvaceous body, when “GYATT” (spelled with two Ts), describes a person or female with a big butt.
Dictionary.com has a more common definition: “Gyatt or gyat is a slang phrase that is used to express robust enjoyment, surprise, or admiration.”
“Dayum is a stylized way of stating damn, normally used to show shock, with humorous intent, rather than in reaction to injury,” John H McWhorter, an associate linguistics professor at Columbia College, tells TODAY.com. “It was initially a southern Black pronunciation, exaggerated for result.”
“Gyat” emerges from comparable origins.
The place did GYAT come from?
“GYAT advanced from ‘goddamn,’” describes McWhorter. “Specifically, a heightened way of stating it has usually been ‘GOT-damn!’ which GYAT is primarily based on.”
Kelly Elizabeth Wright, a postdoctoral investigate fellow in language sciences at Virginia Tech, tells Right now.com: “It appears there are several competing theories for the provenance of this expression, and for the reason that of this, there are also conflicting opinions on what variety of time period it is. Some take into consideration this to be Black Southern, many others Jamaican, and nevertheless others a lot more normally Black … there are a lot of spots exactly where individuals traditions overlap.”
She adds, “If you were to talk to me what group seems to be working with it the most presently, I’d spot it with youthful, on the internet gamers.”
In accordance to Wright, “GYAT is one of hundreds of nominees for 2023 Term of The 12 months, an yearly vote held by the American Dialect Modern society.”
How teenagers are employing ‘GYAT’
We can thank Gen Alpha — those people born after 2012 — for putting “GYAT/TT” on our radar.
“Kids get started applying this form of slang as they embark on independence from their mother and father and gravitate towards their peer teams and form their very own identities,” David Burke, aka “Slangman“ and co-host of the podcast “Slingin’ The Slang!” tells These days.com.
Teens use GYAT verbally and on social media and messaging platforms like TikTok, Twitch, Discord and YouTube. Slang like GYAT can start off a discussion or be shorthand to get close to electronic character limits.
Burke says GYAT is not an insult.
“If another person states, “Wow you have a GYAT” it doesn’t necessarily mean, “You have a major butt,” he points out. “It indicates you have a big beautiful butt.”
Can mothers and fathers say ‘GYAT?’
Sorry, but no.
Burke claims it’s vital for dad and mom to be ready to interpret teen code to make guaranteed they interact in safe habits, but the lingo is “age-stamped.”
“If mothers and fathers start utilizing GYAT, teens will end,” he says.
Dropping “GYAT” in any dialogue — primarily in a group of kids — will embarrass most teenagers, says Titania Jordan, CMO of Bark.us. She provides, “There’s a good line amongst remaining a amazing or ‘cringe’ parent.”
It is superior to provide up the matter in non-public.
“Inquire in a joking manner or form it in a textual content information to your teenager and see how they respond,” indicates Jordan. “Parents can also make it a match by asking their teenager to quiz them about slang.”
In most situations, your curiosity will be hilarious to your child.
“Either way, you are bonding,” says Jordan. “However that takes place with teens is a gain.”
This story initially appeared on TODAY.com. More from Today:
