Clock it and other Gen Z 2025 slang that left Millennials scratching their heads
By Valerian Khakayi, December 21, 2025Kenyan Gen Z have always had a way of making everyday things feel exciting and full of life, and by 2025, they have taken their slang game to a whole new level.
What might sound ordinary to others is often flipped into something playful, expressive, and uniquely theirs, showing just how creative and fast-moving their culture has become.
In 2025, Gen Z slang has become one of the biggest reasons many Millennials feel left behind. Social media has amplified these expressions, helping them spread quickly across platforms, but they’re no longer limited to online spaces.
These coded phrases have seamlessly made their way into everyday conversations at school, at work, and among friends, making it even harder for the older generation to keep up with the meanings and context behind them.
For Gen Z, it is a way of making communication fun and expressive, while some Millennials often find it difficult to decode the coded language.
Here are some of the top Gen Z slang terms that ruled 2025.
Clock it
First on the list is “clock it.” If you’re a Millennial, you might be thinking of it as something related to time or a timepiece, but for Gen Z, it has a completely different meaning.
It is often used in the sense of calling out or pointing something out especially when it’s obvious. But in conversation, it’s often used to show agreement. Like you’re standing with someone.
Period
This one’s a classic, but it’s not used in the way millennials might use it in grammar class. For Gen Z, this slang is used to end a statement powerfully. It means the discussion is closed and nothing more needs to be said.
It’s giving
This is one of those phrases that you just have to experience to truly understand.
It is used to describe the vibe or energy something has, whether that is a person, outfit, or situation.
Umebant
If you have been hearing the term umebant being thrown around lately, you are not alone.
The beauty of umebant in today’s context lies in its versatility; unlike before, when it was often tied to specific contexts of failure in games, the phrase has now become much more inclusive.
It is humorously used to describe someone who is in trouble, confused, facing an unexpected setback, messed up or stuck in an awkward situation.
Purr
It is one of those slangs that is often used to express agreement or approval, and it has a very specific tone.
It’s usually used when something is impressive, stylish or attitude-filled.
Ate
The phrase “ate” is used to express something that’s been done exceptionally well, particularly when it comes to style, performance, or attitude.
Tea
While “tea” has been a part of global slang for a few years now, its application in 2025 has become even more nuanced.
For Gen Z in Kenya, “tea” refers to the latest gossip or the scoop on a situation.
Yapper
It is used to refer to someone who talks too much, often annoyingly or unnecessarily. It’s usually used playfully among friends.
No cap
Though “no cap” has been floating around for a while, its continued usage in 2025 still throws some millennials for a loop.
It is used to emphasise that someone is telling the truth.
Cooked
For Kenyan Gen Z, “cooked” is used to mean they are completely tired, finished, or mentally exhausted. It can also be used when someone has messed up badly.
While Millennials might struggle to decode some of these phrases, it is clear that Gen Z is setting the tone for a new era of communication.
So, the next time you hear a young person drop some of these phrases, don’t be caught off guard by what they actually mean, or you might find yourself feeling left out of the loop.