Having adult children helps me keep up with what’s going on in the world social media. I have a Facebook account, but rarely do I ever log in. I have an Instagram account, and check it about once a week; I mainly follow furniture builders and golf course architects.

Lately, I’m finding memes to be really interesting, they are almost a secret language for any one on any of the social media platforms.

As my way of updating those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, or maybe you want to get caught up with some of the latest memes, here’s my two cents.

What’s a Meme?

A meme is an idea, behavior, activity, concept, catchphrase, style or piece of media that spreads from person to person within a culture via the internet—often with the aim of conveying a particular phenomenon, theme or meaning represented by the meme.

Here are a few of the funny memes I found:

“OK Boomer”

The phrase “OK Boomer” is a pejorative retort used to dismiss or mock perceived narrow-minded, outdated, negatively-judgmental or condescending attitudes of older people, particularly baby boomers. This phrase would be used in a conversation between a millennial or member of Gen Z, and a baby boomer.

Used in a conversation:

Baby Boomer: “…This talk about climate change is a bunch of hog wash.”

Millennial or Gen Z: “Yah, OK Boomer.”

“Peter Pan Syndrome”

Peter Pan Syndrome is an inability to grow up or to engage in behavior usually associated with adulthood. The term comes from the fictional children’s character Peter Pan, who never ages or grows up.

Used in a conversation;

Millennial or Gen Z: “I don’t feel like looking for a job, why can’t I play Red Dead Redemption all day long.”

Baby Boomer: “It’s time to move on with your life, quit acting like Peter Pan.”

“Nap Roulette”

This is working without a safety net, this is for those of you who are risk takers. Nap Roulette is when you’re going to take a nap sometime during the day, and you’re such a risk taker that you don’t set any alarm as to when you’re going to wake up.

How it’s used:

“I’m going to take a nap and not set my alarm, I may sleep 20 minutes, 2 hours or maybe till the next morning, who knows, it’s out of my control.”

“Vibe Checked”

Vibe Checked is a process by which a group or individual obtains a subjective assessment of the mental and emotional state of another person, place or thing.

Used in a text where Aunt Mable is being Vibe Checked:

“Please don’t invite Aunt Mable to the family Christmas party this year, I was with her last week and she’s really throwing off a negative vibe, and I don’t think we need to deal with her attitude.”

Additionally, just because “The vibes are off” isn’t a good excuse to leave work early.

I hope this helps with your communication skills with the Millennials, Gen Xs and Gen Zs. Here’s my advice, don’t tell them you know this secret form of communication, so, the next time you’re in a conversation, spring it on them as a way to increase your “street cred.” You know you’ve impressed them when they roll their eyes as they walk away shaking their head in embarrassment!

Happy memes!