Explain internet slang, memes, or trends I don't understand
Plain-English meaning, origin, how people actually use a term or meme, and whether it is safe to use yourself.
The prompt
Explain some internet slang, a meme, or an online trend to me.
Term, phrase, or meme: [WHAT I SAW - paste it or describe it]
Where I saw it: [e.g. "my teenager's group chat", "TikTok comments", "a coworker's Slack message", "a news headline"]
The exact context: [the sentence or post it appeared in, if I have it]
Why I'm asking: [just curious / want to reply / worried about my kid / thinking about using it at work or in marketing]
For each term, give me:
1. Meaning in plain English, including what it means in the context I shared. If it has several meanings, list them and say which one fits.
2. Where it came from, briefly.
3. How it's used: tone (joking, sarcastic, affectionate, insulting), who tends to use it, and 2 example sentences.
4. Should I use it? Whether it would sound natural or awkward coming from me, given my situation.
5. Flags: whether it has an offensive, sexual, drug-related, or hateful second meaning, or is linked to harmful challenges. Say so plainly if it does.
Rules:
- Slang changes fast. If you're unsure, or the term may be newer than your knowledge, say so rather than guessing, and suggest how I can check.
- If I'm a parent worried about safety, end with a calm way to bring it up with my child.
- If I'm considering it for marketing, note the risk of sounding forced or out of date.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Learning & Teaching prompts
What to fill in
- WHAT I SAW - paste it or describe it
- the sentence or post it appeared in, if I have it
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the RTF structure (Role, Task, Format). RTF tells the model who to be, what to do and what shape the answer should take. It is the quickest structure that still gives noticeably better results than a bare request.
Related prompts
- Practice a new language with a patient tutorConversation practice with gentle corrections, vocabulary, and grammar at your level.
- Learn any topic efficientlyA structured mini-course on any topic: roadmap, core concepts, examples, mistakes, and practice.
- Explain a concept simply — at any levelClear explanations using analogies and examples, from 'explain like I'm 10' to expert.
- Learn from a document or textbook chapterTurns a document into a structured lesson with key ideas, questions, and practice.