From 6-7 to aura farming: Defining 2025’s viral internet slang

Each year, the internet gives birth to a new lexicon, one that’s as fast-moving and unpredictable as the online trends that fuel it. 2025 is no different, with a fresh crop of viral slang that’s quickly become shorthand for everything from viral moments to internet culture’s quirks.

More than words, these phrases are creative expressions of identity in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you’re on TikTok, Twitch, or the latest meme loop, these are the terms that have dominated conversations among Gen Z and Gen Alpha this year.

Buckle up, because we’re about to break down the slang that has defined 2025. You’re about to hear these words everywhere, whether you’re ready or not.

Aura farming

Aura farming is the art of cultivating an undeniable, magnetic energy that draws people in. It’s all about crafting a vibe so strong and captivating that others can’t help but be pulled into your orbit. Whether it’s exuding confidence, radiating charm, or just owning the room, aura farming is often used to elevate one’s status and influence.

While the phrase technically evolved from a 2024 meme, it truly peaked this year. A prime example? Sung Jinwoo, the protagonist of Solo Leveling, who’s become the internet’s unofficial king of aura farming. His journey is all about leveling up, both in power and presence, as he faces stronger dungeon bosses. In a sense, the entire anime is one big exercise in aura farming, a constant evolution of strength and influence, perfectly embodying the idea.

Cook, cooking, cooked

When someone says “let me cook,” they’re preparing to flex their skills or impress with a creative idea or a solution. It’s the digital equivalent of saying, “Let me show you what I can do.” Whether it’s a fire take or a dope outfit, you’ll know they’re about to serve something incredible.

But cooking isn’t always a win. In a different context, when someone says they’re “cooked,” it means they’re out of options, overworked, or done for — like they’ve been taken to their limit. In a way, it’s the inverse: where “let me cook” invites success and flair, “I’m cooked” signals that it’s all over for them. Alternatively, you could also say, “I’m fried.”

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Fanum tax

If you’re not familiar with this quirky phrase, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Born from the antics of Twitch streamer and former AMP collective member Fanum, “Fanum tax” is a silly way to describe that cheeky act of snagging a bite of someone else’s food, without asking. (You gotta pay the Fanum tax!) Explaining the phrase to GQ, Fanum simply said, “Feed your friends, bro.”

But beyond the simple act of food theft, this term has morphed into a bit of a phenomenon, extending its reach to describe everything from friendship dynamics to viral TikTok trends. It’s become a phrase to insert, often ironically, into just about anything.

Clock it

“Clock it” is all about drawing attention to something noteworthy. It’s a call to remember, an invitation to keep something in mind for later, like a spoiler for a big twist or a prediction that’s about to come true. It’s the ultimate way of saying, “I told you so,” but with a more stylish flair.

Clock that tea

“Clock that tea” is a phrase used to describe the act of noticing or picking up on juicy gossip, drama, or revealing truths, often before others do. It combines the slang terms “clock,” meaning to observe or catch onto something (see above), and “tea,” a term used for gossip or truth. For example, if someone walks into a room and instantly picks up on the tension between two people, they’ve clocked that tea. It’s a way of acknowledging someone’s sharp perception when it comes to spotting social dynamics or hidden drama. The phrase is rooted in queer vernacular and is particularly common in drag and ballroom-adjacent spaces.

However, “clock that tea” is often incorrectly paired with finger claps, a rhythmic hand gesture from ballroom culture in which you touch your index finger and thumb together in rapid motion. Finger claps are a sign of applause and celebration, a way to support drag and ballroom performers without disrupting their performance.

Ate, chewed, nibbled

When something “eats,” it means it was so good that there’s nothing left to improve upon. Eating and leaving no crumbs means absolute perfection, whether we’re talking about a performance, a look, or a viral moment. It’s a way of giving top-tier praise, acknowledging that what just went down was next level.

Originally coined within LGBTQ+ communities, particularly Black and Latinx ballroom culture, “ate” was a term used to describe moments of excellence. Over time, it made its way into the mainstream lexicon, where it now signifies a flawless execution. But here’s where things get interesting: the evolution of “ate” has introduced new internet phrases like “she chewed” and “she nibbled.” These are used when something is still impressive, but maybe not quite as flawless. It’s a tiered approach to praise — “she chewed” is close, but not quite the perfect “ate,” and “she nibbled” signals that it was good, but there’s room for more.

Bop

Remember when “bop” used to refer to a catchy song? Well, in recent years, the word has taken on a very different meaning. Bop can also refer to a promiscuous person with multiple sexual partners, someone who posts their body online for views, or imply a sexual act, often linked to casual or performative sexuality. While the term is often viewed as a derogatory way to shame young women — think of “bop” as Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s version of “slut” — it’s also used within the sex work community.

This meaning was revitalized and adapted by online sex workers on platforms like camgirl sites and OnlyFans, who use bop as part of “algospeak,” or a strategy to bypass content moderation and platform restrictions. The term’s popularity surged even more with the rise of the Bop House, a viral content house made up of OnlyFans creators that helped cement bop as a coded term within digital sex work culture.

Mewing

Mewing, a technique originally linked to reshaping your jawline by positioning your tongue in a certain way, has been floating around the internet for a while now, particularly in DIY beauty and wellness circles. But in 2025, it’s taken on a new form. Teenage boys, especially, have turned “mewing” into a reason for not participating in class. Essentially, they’re too busy mewing to talk or contribute. It’s become a tongue-in-cheek excuse, allowing them to avoid answering questions or doing any actual work.

This unexpected use of the term shows how internet slang can evolve in unpredictable ways, morphing from a niche beauty trend into a full-blown classroom strategy.

Mogger

Mogger is the term for someone who effortlessly makes others look like background characters simply by standing next to them. It comes from the verb mogging, which means to outshine or overshadow someone in terms of looks. If you’ve ever felt like your glow-up evaporated the moment a ridiculously good-looking friend walked into the room, congratulations: you’ve been mogged.

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A mogger is a person blessed with top-tier genetics, symmetrical features, or a jawline sharp enough to slice through glass. This term floats around in online spaces obsessed with appearance, like “looksmaxxing” (the art of optimizing one’s looks) and mewing (see above).

Gooning

Simply put, “gooning” is a kink centered around extended, often non-orgasmic masturbation that brings the participant into a trance-like state of uninhibited pleasure. While it’s similar to edging in that climax is often delayed or avoided, gooning is less about control and more about losing it. And while the phrase entered internet subcultures over the 2010s and 2020s, its meaning has expanded over time.

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In the queer community, “gooning” is the word du jour, used both sincerely and ironically to describe ecstatic, over-the-top obsession or emotional surrender, sexual or otherwise. What began as a niche kink term now doubles as cultural shorthand for any kind of intense, exaggerated immersion, whether someone is lost in a thirst trap, spiraling through memes, or watching their favorite show on loop. This layered usage reflects not only the term’s absurdity but also Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s tendency to remix kink language into humor, self-parody, and commentary on overstimulation. As a result, “gooning” exists in multiple registers: a sincere erotic practice, an internet in-joke, and a tongue-in-cheek way to say, I’m losing it — in every sense of the phrase.

6-7

“6-7” is a nonsense catchphrase turned IRL emote, born from the chaotic life cycle of TikTok sounds. The phrase comes from Skrilla’s rap track “Doot Doot,” where he says “6–7” in a distinct cadence. However, the meme isn’t really about the song. TikTok grabbed the sound and immediately rerouted it into basketball edits, especially highlighting 6-foot-7 NBA player LaMelo Ball.

From there, the meme took on a life of its own. The most influential version features a kid at a basketball game using the “6-7” lyric as an emote — an up-and-down bouncing hand motion performed purely for fun, the way a video game character might dance or taunt. That motion quickly became the default “6-7” gesture offline.

What does it actually mean? In short: nothing. “6-7” is pure silliness, a filler phrase with no literal definition, divorced from its origins and repeated simply because it feels good to say. Kids use it to be goofy, to match the vibe of the sound, or because someone nearby said the number six or seven, and that’s close enough to justify doing the gesture. It’s the kind of phrase TikTok takes from music to memes to mimicry in record time, turning nonsense into shared language overnight.

W

“W” is internet shorthand for a win — literally. It’s used to celebrate a moment, opinion, or action that feels like a victory, whether major or petty. Calling something a “W” or commenting “W take” signals approval and alignment, the digital equivalent of giving someone a trophy for their stance.

Its counterpart is “L,” meaning loss. Though rooted in sports and gaming culture, “W” has fully crossed into meme speak and stan spaces, where it’s used both sincerely (“Huge W for her”) and sarcastically (“W job, bestie,” typed when someone obviously fumbled). The tone depends on context, delivery, and how chronically online the participants are.

Lock in

To “lock in” means to focus with absolute intensity — no distractions, no messing around, full commitment.

The phrase picked up momentum in gaming and sports circles, where teammates urge each other to lock in before high-stakes moments. But in 2025 internet slang, it’s used more broadly to hype up friends before anything requiring energy or determination, such as meeting a deadline, shooting a thirst-trap, going to the gym, or even committing to a bit in a group chat.

Someone who is locked in is tuned in, disciplined, and fully embracing the task. Because of its overuse in meme culture, it’s also frequently deployed ironically (“Time to clean my kitchen. I’m locked IN”).