Phrases That Could Start an Argument Between a Boomer and Gen Z Coworker
In mixed-generation offices, words can cause tension without anyone raising their voice. One person’s casual comment might feel dismissive, outdated, or even offensive to someone from a different age group. These misunderstandings usually come down to how each generation grew up using language and what certain phrases mean to them.
This list looks at real phrases that have caused friction between age groups at work, and explains why they spark disagreement more often than people expect.
Ok Boomer
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This started as a meme response online, but is often read very differently in person. Older coworkers tend to hear it as condescending or age-based dismissal. Even when said playfully, the phrase rarely doesn’t come without friction.
Adulting
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Writers covering generational language note that Boomers often read “adulting” as lowering the bar for maturity. Millennials and Gen Z use the term lightly, while Boomers associate adulthood with early independence. The word signals different expectations around responsibility, which can cause tension in mixed-age teams.
Triggered
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The phrase tends to reinforce the belief that younger colleagues dramatize routine workplace discomfort. The word shifted from a clinical term to general slang for irritation or stress. Many Boomers associate it with serious trauma, so hearing it used casually can feel exaggerated.
I Did a Thing
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Boomers tend to prefer direct communication, especially at work. When someone says “I did a thing,” it’s often meant to tease a surprise or share a milestone lightly. This phrase can come across as vague or unnecessarily coy, which complicates collaboration in settings that value clarity.
Do It for the ’Gram
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Referencing Instagram might be second nature to Gen Z, but for some Boomers, the idea of prioritizing how something looks online over why it’s being done can be frustrating. The phrase signals different values, which often play out in workplace debates over what matters more.
Sorry, Not Sorry
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It’s meant as bold or cheeky, but tends to land as smug. When someone says “sorry, not sorry,” it’s often after making a decision that affects others, which can make it feel dismissive. Many older workers interpret it as an unwillingness to collaborate or take feedback, even when none of that was intended.
Tea
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Saying “spill the tea” or “what’s the tea” might sound fun to younger employees, but the slang can fall flat or raise eyebrows with Boomers. They may not recognize it as light gossip or banter and instead interpret it as unnecessary or out of place in professional settings.
Pay Your Dues
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For Baby Boomers, putting in years of work before advancing still holds weight. To Gen Z, this can sound more like gatekeeping than guidance. When this phrase surfaces, it often triggers a deeper disagreement about what workplace advancement should actually look like.
Skipping Morning Greetings
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Some Boomers consider saying “good morning” a basic courtesy. Gen Z workers, specifically those raised on text communication or remote work, might see quietness as respectful or efficient.
Big Yikes
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Saying “big yikes” about a tough situation can come off as making light of it. It’s even worse when the tone doesn’t match the seriousness of the topic. What Gen Z uses to call out something uncomfortable or off, Boomers might hear as overly casual or even sarcastic.
Let Me Do It for You
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Tech-savvy coworkers often mean well when jumping in to help. But for Boomers, being bypassed during a task can feel like being written off. Even if it’s faster, it often sparks frustration over not being given a fair shot to do it themselves.
Lewk
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This stylized spin on “look” is meant to praise someone’s appearance, usually fashion-related. The problem is that most Boomers don’t recognize the term, and hearing it in the workplace can sound out of place. Compliments that require translation rarely go over well in mixed-age teams.
That’s Fire
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Calling a presentation or idea “fire” is high praise for younger coworkers. But Boomers unfamiliar with the slang may take it literally or miss the meaning entirely. Without explanation, the compliment can get lost, and make the feedback feel vague or confusing.
Threads
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Boomers using “threads” to describe an outfit may be trying to keep up with younger coworkers’ lingo, but Gen Z might read it as retro or even ironic. The harmless intent can easily get lost.
Salty
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To Gen Z, calling someone “salty” just means they’re irritated or bitter. But that word doesn’t always translate across generations. Boomers unfamiliar with the term might take it as a jab or personal criticism. That confusion can quickly lead to friction.
Don’t Flip Your Wig
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Once used to lighten a stressful moment, this old-school phrase can feel minimizing to younger coworkers. Gen Z tends to prefer direct and serious acknowledgment of their concerns. A line like this can seem dismissive instead of calming if emotions are already high.
Lit
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Calling something “lit” might sound fun or celebratory, but it doesn’t always land well across age lines. Boomers often link the word to older slang about drinking or being out of control. In the workplace, that disconnect can make the word feel out of place when used to describe meetings or achievements.
Loaded
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To Boomers, saying someone is “loaded” may mean they’ve had too much to drink. Gen Z sometimes uses it to mean something intense or packed with energy, often linked to phrases like “lit.” This reversal in meaning can lead to total confusion in casual conversation about work events.
That’s a Bummer
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Though it’s used by Boomers to express disappointment, this phrase can sound far too mild to younger coworkers. Gen Z might hear it during serious conversations about layoffs or burnout and interpret it as a lack of empathy. A well-meaning reaction can come off as detached if it doesn’t match the emotional tone.
We’ve Always Done It This Way
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Boomers often use this phrase to explain established workflows or reassure coworkers that a method is reliable. To Gen Z, it usually feels like the conversation has been shut down before it even starts. Younger employees tend to value experimentation and quick adaptation, so hearing this line can signal resistance to change or a lack of openness to new ideas.