Teens say they cringe when brands use these 7 outdated slang words - here's what Gen Z is saying instead

Hollis Johnson

Here's how to talk the talk to impress Generation Z.

• You might think you know what slang words teens are using these days, but there's a good chance it's already out of fashion.
• "YOLO," "swag," and "bae" are out, teens told Business Insider.
• Here's how to use the slang that Gen Z is actually using without seeming completely uncool - or should we say not lit.

In May, Subway Canada ran a poll imploring Twitter users to vote on their favorite bread. Or, as they put it, their "bread bae."

No one voted on it. Subway Canada has 135,000 followers.

To be fair, some theorized that the poll, which ultimately wracked up 13,000 retweets, was fake and simply a PR scheme to troll for tweets. Either way, the internet wasn't having it, with many saying that the use of "bread bae" sounded more like it was aggressively concocted by an out-of-touch marketing employee.

Tons of other brands have tried and failed to pander to teens by using their vernacular. Gen Z slang has appeared in various marketing ads over the years, often drawing the ire of the very consumer base these companies are trying to attract.

In a recent Business Insider survey of 104 teens nationwide, Generation Zs shared insight about how they communicate today. Here are seven words make them cringe, and what they're opting to use instead.