Throughout history, humor has constantly changed. What people found funny decades ago is often very different from what makes us laugh today. These shifts in comedy keep things fresh and give each generation its own style of humor. Recently, however, a new form of humor—often called “brainrot”—has taken over social media and everyday conversations. While it may seem ridiculous, many students still find it funny. To better understand why, I asked several freshmen what they think about modern slang and humor trends.

“I don’t mind it; there’s a time and place,” Daniel Hasley (9) said. “I don’t like when people use it at inappropriate times. I don’t use it in a serious moment, or when someone is in a bad mood, but I would use it during downtime with friends.”

When asked how often he uses slang, Jace Frame (9) replied, “On the # reg brotato.” (yes, that was his exact response). When asked why he finds slang like this funny, he answered, “Because it’s advanced lingo.” Responses such as this illustrate how inside jokes and shared language can make slang more entertaining for those who understand and use it.

Many students use slang to stay up to date with trends and feel connected to what’s popular online. Elijah Obando (9) shared some of his favorite trends, saying, “Rizz and the Cleveland Browns were funny, but phonk is also.” When asked which trend he liked the least, he didn’t hesitate: “6-7. I hate 6-7.”

In conclusion, while modern slang and brainrot humor may seem confusing, or even annoying, to older generations, they play a big role in how students connect with each other today. Even if these trends don’t always make sense, they reflect the ever-changing nature of humor and how each generation finds its own way to laugh. And, if older people think we don’t work hard enough, or aren’t smart because of it, like, OK unc.