What do slay, sigma and skibidi mean? Kids' favourite slang words of 2024 revealed by Oxford University Press

If you thought knowing your brat from your brain rot had you up to speed, think again, as Oxford University Press has revealed its top three kids’ slang words of 2024.

Having previously crowned brain rot as its word of the year, the institute this week turned its attention to the younger generation by publishing results of the Children’s Word of the Year.

Kindness was the word that came out on top after a survey of more than 3,000 youngsters.

But the institute also revealed what the respondents had chosen as their slang word of 2024 and revealed the top three to be slay, sigma and skibidi.

They do all at least start with the same letter but have definitions that seem destined to confuse anyone who is a millennial - let alone a Gen X or Boomer.

Whether or not you actually want to add these phrases to your lexicon is a personal choice, but here are the definitions to at least keep you in the conversation.

What does slay mean?

Slay means to “greatly impress or amuse someone, or be extremely impressive, stylish or successful”, states the Oxford University Press.

The word was chosen by 28 per cent of children as their favourite colloquial phrase to see it top the list. The use is seen to be growing as well with 17 per cent picking it last year.

The University Press added: “Respondents offered a wide range of contexts and examples as to how they use the word attesting to its conversational usefulness and versatility.

“Common phrases include: that’s so slay, you slayed it, your outfit slays, she’s a slay, slay queen.”

What does sigma mean?

This is another positive one, although it does have controversial roots due to its association with self-styled misogynist influencer Andrew Tate.

According to the university press sigma, which came second on 16 per cent, means: “Good or cool and can be used to describe males who are regarded as cool and admirable, especially in an independent and individualistic way.”

What does skibidi mean?

This one has baffled parents, as well as experts, with the university press admitting the definition is “difficult to nail down”.

“Skibidi does not have a specific meaning and can be used to mean bad or cool,” it states.

Despite the lack of a clear-cut meaning, it was selected as the favourite slang term of 15 per cent of the respondents.