Authentically Adele

Life has been so busy lately! Last week flew by, and somehow, I didn’t get around to practicing my son’s spelling words with him before his test on Friday.

Friday morning, I jumped out of bed and found my son, Ezra, sitting at the kitchen table doing some work. Here’s how our conversation went:

Me: Ezra, I’m so sorry we didn’t properly practice your spellings this week.
Ezra: That’s okay, Mum. Don’t worry, I’m gonna flunk it!
Me: Wait, what? You’re going to what?
Ezra: I’m going to flunk it.
Me: No way, Ezra. Don’t say that! You know your spelling words, and you won’t flunk it!
Ezra: That’s what I mean, Mum. I know these words, so I’m gonna flunk it!
Me: … Do you mean pass it?
Ezra: Yes, Mum—flunk!
Me: Oh, sweetheart. Flunk doesn’t mean pass. It means fail.
Ezra: No, Mum, it doesn’t!

At this point, I interrupted him with, “Back in my day…” but then I froze mid-sentence. Hold on. No. NO! I cannot believe I’ve become that mum—the one who doesn’t understand her child’s slang.

I suddenly remembered how I used to tease my own parents when they didn’t get the words my friends and I used. Back then, “bad” meant “good,” “good” was just okay, but “dope” was the absolute best. No one said “pretty” or “beautiful”; instead, we’d say things like, “You’re tight” or “You’re the bomb!”

Now, I’m wondering: What happened to me?

Can you remember any words you used as a kid that confused your parents? What are some words you’ve heard your children—or other kids—say that made you stop and think, “Wait… what does that mean?”

Looks like I have some learning to do!