Move over 'OK boomer', there's a new generational term in town, and it's being embraced by everyone from Hollywood A-listers to teenagers on TikTok. The word 'unc' is experiencing a meteoric rise, becoming a playful marker of age and status for Generation Alpha. But what does it really mean, and why is it suddenly everywhere?
From TikTok to Tinseltown: How 'Unc' Went Viral
The term gained significant traction after a viral TikTok in July, posted by content creator Riley Hardwick. In the video, Hardwick reflected on chaperoning kids at a school prom, declaring he had "just found out I'm chopped, and also unc". For the uninitiated, 'chopped' is slang for ugly, while 'unc' refers to an older person. This moment amplified the word, propelling it into the mainstream lexicon.
The trend has since been adopted by celebrities, adding a layer of star power. Pop star Sabrina Carpenter recently referred to record producer Jack Antonoff as "unc" in a social media post, complete with a heart emoji. Perhaps more surprisingly, baby-faced actor Timothée Chalamet claimed the title for himself in an all-caps Instagram post celebrating his 30th birthday, proclaiming: "TIMMYTIM IS OFFICIALLY UNC".
Defining 'Uncle-Like Energy': What Makes an 'Unc'?
So, what exactly qualifies someone for 'unc' status? According to language-learning platform Preply, which has tracked the term's surge, "unc" is used by the youngest generation, Gen Alpha, to address anyone older than them. It signifies more than just age; it's about a specific vibe. As Preply explains, "Anyone … can be called 'unc' if they carry a certain older-sibling or uncle-like energy."
The age threshold for being deemed an 'unc' is shockingly low by traditional standards. When one teacher polled his teenage students, one respondent suggested the status could apply to anyone aged 20 or over. Signs of possessing this 'uncle-like energy' include nostalgic cultural references like watching Friends, knowing the lyrics to the Black Eyed Peas' 'I Gotta Feeling', or being baffled by newer slang like 'six-seven'.
A Softer Shade of Generational Divide: Respect or Teasing?
While it might seem like a simple put-down, linguists suggest 'unc' operates differently from the dismissive 'OK, boomer'. A spokesperson for Preply describes the use of such kinship language as a form of "linguistic softening." Calling someone 'unc' is "more playful than confrontational" and can "signal respect, familiarity or gentle teasing rather than dismissal."
This practice has deep roots in many cultures, particularly across Asia and Africa, where using 'auntie' and 'uncle' for non-relatives is a standard sign of respect. The term also has a long history in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), though its connotations there can vary between respectful and derogatory. Some commentators and creators have noted that Gen Alpha's adoption might be a form of cultural appropriation, and have corrected younger users for applying the label incorrectly to people under 30.
The data underscores the term's explosive popularity. Preply reports that searches for the word "unc" now pull in a staggering 5.9 million monthly searches globally, with queries for "unc meaning" skyrocketing by 74%. Whether it's a fleeting fad or a lasting linguistic shift, 'unc' has firmly planted itself as the defining generational label of the moment—a playful, if pointed, nod to the ever-widening gap between the digital natives of Gen Alpha and everyone else.
