1. The Word “Hubby”
Millennials often use “hubby” in a sweet, affectionate tone when referring to their spouses. But Gen Z finds it overly saccharine and weirdly infantilizing. To them, it sounds like something you’d read in a Facebook caption next to a matching flannel photo. It’s more likely to trigger an eye-roll than an “aww,” according to BuzzFeed.
In general, Gen Z tends to be less into pet names that sound overly cutesy or performative. They favor more natural or funny ways of expressing affection. Even among married couples, words like “partner” or just first names feel more down-to-earth. “Hubby” has entered the cringe lexicon.
2. Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans were practically a second skin for millennials, symbolizing everything from indie rebellion to office-casual chic. But Gen Z has been vocal—especially on TikTok—about how over this tight-fitting denim trend they are. Instead, they’re championing baggy jeans, mom jeans, and low-rise styles reminiscent of early 2000s fashion. They see skinny jeans as uncomfortable and overly restrictive.
This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about shifting aesthetics. Looser fits allow for more playful silhouettes and align better with Gen Z’s more androgynous, gender-fluid style norms. Many young people say skinny jeans just don’t match the laid-back, oversized energy they’re going for. The decline of skinny jeans even sparked the now-infamous “skinny jeans vs. Gen Z” debate in 2021.
3. Using the Cry-Laugh Emoji 😂
To millennials, the cry-laugh emoji is the universal sign for “that’s hilarious.” But Gen Z has declared it cringe, with many opting for the skull emoji 💀 instead, to say “I’m dead” (as in dying of laughter). They argue the cry-laugh emoji feels dated and overly eager. To them, it reeks of Facebook moms and overly enthusiastic group chats.
In its place, the skull emoji has become a shorthand for something so funny it’s metaphorically lethal. This swap says a lot about Gen Z humor—darker, more ironic, and very meme-aware. The emoji shift also marks a generational difference in digital expression. Even reactions are now about being low-key cool instead of overtly expressive.
4. “Adulting” as a Concept
For millennials, “adulting” became a way to humorously navigate the challenges of growing up, like paying bills or scheduling dentist appointments. But Gen Z has started to side-eye the term, seeing it as both overused and a bit immature. They argue that calling basic life skills “adulting” makes them sound like optional achievements. There’s a sense that it’s a way to avoid accountability.
Instead, Gen Z tends to be more direct and less self-congratulatory about adulthood. They’re more likely to vent about burnout or systemic issues rather than joke about having to do laundry. To them, “adulting” sounds like a millennial coping mechanism disguised as a meme. In their eyes, it’s better to just call it life.
5. Avocado Toast Obsession
Avocado toast was practically a millennial mascot—Instagrammed endlessly, blamed for unaffordable housing, and served at every hip café. Gen Z, however, seems to view the trend as peak basic and totally played out. They still eat avocado toast, but they’re not romanticizing it like millennials did. It’s just food now, not a lifestyle.
Today’s younger food trends lean more experimental and often veer toward nostalgia (think: mini pancakes or cosmic brownies). Plus, Gen Z is all about function—like nutrient-dense snacks that double as gut health boosters. Their feeds now feature chia puddings, matcha lattes, and elaborate smoothie bowls. Avocado toast has been downgraded from trend to tired.
6. BuzzFeed Quizzes
Remember when everyone knew their Harry Potter house or which Friends character they were, thanks to BuzzFeed quizzes? Millennials loved these bite-sized personality assessments, sharing their results with pride. But Gen Z finds them cheesy, outdated, and often too simplistic to be meaningful. They’ll mock them in TikToks or skip them entirely.
Instead, Gen Z is more into astrology charts, MBTI, or even hyper-niche TikTok trends like “core” aesthetics (e.g., cottagecore, weirdcore). They prefer identity exploration that feels more individualized or complex. BuzzFeed-style quizzes feel one-size-fits-all and kind of forced. What used to be fun now reads as try-hard.
7. “I Did a Thing”
Millennials often use this phrase when they post a selfie after a haircut or a humblebrag about a personal achievement. But Gen Z finds it painfully self-conscious and overly quirky in a performative way. The tone feels disingenuous, as if the speaker is pretending to be modest while fishing for compliments. It’s become the punchline of many tweets and videos.
Gen Z generally prefers being straightforward or leaning into irony. They see no need to wrap announcements in cutesy deflections. Saying “I did a thing” now sounds like you’re stuck in 2015 internet culture. They’d rather just show the haircut or achievement without the preamble.
8. #Girlboss Culture
The “girlboss” archetype once felt empowering to millennials—think power suits, hustle culture, and curated LinkedIn profiles. But Gen Z has taken a hard turn, critiquing the movement for being individualistic and rooted in corporate feminism. They argue it often ignores deeper issues like worker exploitation or economic inequality. In short, they’re over the aesthetic of empowerment without systemic change.
Now, phrases like “girlboss” are used ironically or even sarcastically. Memes like “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” reflect this shift in tone. Gen Z prefers authenticity over perfection and solidarity over personal branding. The hashtag hustle has officially lost its shine.
9. Live, Laugh, Love Decor
Millennial homes often featured these mass-produced inspirational signs—“Live, Laugh, Love” being the most notorious. Gen Z has turned them into memes, mocking how bland and generic they are. They see them as the interior design version of pumpkin spice lattes—basic, uninspired, and trying too hard. The trend feels emotionally shallow to them.
Gen Z’s home aesthetics skew more eclectic and ironic—think thrifted wall art, mushroom lamps, or vaporwave posters. They’re not into aspirational mantras unless they’re being subverted. You’ll find TikToks of people “ironically” decorating with these signs to make fun of them. It’s kitsch to them, not comfort.
10. Engagement Photo Shoots in Fields
Nothing says millennial engagement like a couple posing in a golden-hour wheat field, possibly holding a chalkboard with their wedding date. Gen Z has started to view this as overly staged, painfully cliché, and frankly indistinguishable from a stock photo. They want their love stories to feel less filtered and more authentic. Think less “Pinterest board” and more “photo dump on a disposable camera.”
Gen Z engagement photos now often feature unconventional locations—arcades, diners, rooftops—and lean into candid moments. They prioritize mood and personality over perfection. A blurry kiss in a corner booth says more than a perfectly posed shot in nature. The new goal is “aesthetic honesty,” not just beauty.
11. Overuse of Bitmoji
Bitmojis were huge for millennials, especially when Snapchat integrated them into everything from chat threads to Snap Maps. But Gen Z finds them creepy, overly detailed, and oddly stuck in the uncanny valley. They prefer more minimal or stylized avatars like Apple’s Memojis or custom TikTok profile pics. Bitmojis just feel like an outdated version of self-expression.
Plus, Bitmoji style hasn’t evolved much, and it clashes with Gen Z’s design sensibilities. While millennials saw them as fun and customizable, Gen Z sees them as awkward and cringey. They’ve become the “dad joke” of digital avatars. Some even uninstall Bitmoji altogether as a statement.
12. Side Parts
Once a staple of millennial identity, the side part has fallen out of fashion with Gen Z, who now swear by the middle part. On TikTok and Instagram, younger users have made countless memes mocking the “millennial swoop” as outdated and even unflattering. The side part’s association with early 2010s fashion and emo hairstyles hasn’t helped its image. Gen Z often sees it as a visual cue of someone stuck in a pre-2020 aesthetic.
Meanwhile, Gen Z has embraced sleek center parts as the go-to style for both casual and polished looks. The shift reflects a larger trend of minimalism and symmetry that’s currently in vogue. Hair tutorials across platforms have contributed to the growing popularity of this look. Even some millennials have started experimenting with middle parts to see what all the hype is about.
13. Captioning Everything with “This.”
Millennials love to post a relatable meme or moment and caption it with a simple “This.” as if to say “this is me.” But Gen Z finds the format stale and lacking in context. It’s seen as lazy captioning that tries to be deep without actually saying anything. It’s become a target for parody posts and meta-jokes.
Gen Z prefers either full-on irony or direct commentary. They’re more likely to explain why something resonates, or let it speak for itself without extra text. “This.” has become a shorthand for dated internet humor. If you’re still using it, you might be giving away your age.
This post 13 Millennial Trends Gen Z Is Already Making Fun Of was first published on American Charm.
