Ohio has become a meme…but the internet is laughing with the Buckeye State or at It?
The term “Ohio” is one of many internet slang words (74702923007) commonly used among Generation Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2024). The youngest generation’s reference to the Buckeye State seems to be becoming a laughing stock in the online community, making waves on social media sites like TikTok.
What does the term “Ohio” mean within Generation Alpha?
According to NBC, it means weird or embarrassing to many. It comes from “only in Ohio” memes, which refer to incidents that happen in that state and are often bizarre. The article referenced another Gen Alpha phrase: “Skibidi toilet, Ohio rizzler.” If that sounds confusing, you’re not alone.
It all started with a Tumbler post from 2016
A 2016 post on Tumblr went viral and made Ohio a meme star. The image showed a broken bus stop sign reading “Ohio is being eliminated,” according to Yahoo.
Since then, the joke has caught on on other sites like Reddit and Instagram, and has become various meme formats where Ohio is the focus of the joke. Other phrases like “Only in Ohio,” referring to unusual and bizarre moments, soon followed.
What other slang does Generation Alpha use?
Generation Alpha is expected to become the “largest generation in world history,” reports USA TODAY. That means their terminology isn’t going away anytime soon. Here are some common terms you might hear thrown around under Generation Alpha, courtesy of northjersey.com.
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Sigma: A successful, independent man
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Skibidi: “A word typically used to start a conversation, especially one full of brain rot,” according to Urban Dictionary
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Mog/ Moggen: To appear physically or ascetically superior to someone
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Gyatt: Big buttocks
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Meow: An exercise that is said to strengthen your jaw
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Rizz / Rizzler: Have fun and be able to flirt successfully and have charisma
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Fanum tax: A phrase originating from a Twitch streamer and used before grabbing a portion of his food
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: “Ohio” is a meme for Generation Alpha. Here’s how it’s taking over the internet
