If you’ve ever listened to your gamer teenager talking to friends or commenting on their day and felt like they were speaking a foreign language, you’re not alone. Between complaining about getting “nerfed” at dinner and calling their classmates “sweaty” after school, kids today use gaming terms in everyday conversation that can leave parents scratching their heads.
Understanding this digital vocabulary means keeping up with trends and staying connected to what matters most to your kids. Steven Gannon, Co-Founder of FollowersPanda, a Twitch growth service, knows this language inside and out. “Gaming slang changes faster than most parents can keep up with,” says Gannon, who helps streamers navigate the platform by day and games by night.
Below, Gannon breaks down the most common gaming terms that tend to confuse parents, explaining what they mean and why knowing them matters for family communication.
The Gaming Dictionary Parents Need
- Nerfed
When your kid complains at dinner that their favourite character got “nerfed”, they’re not talking about foam darts. In gaming, this means a character, weapon, or feature was weakened in a game update. You might hear them say “Ugh, they nerfed my favourite weapon” when discussing their day.
“It’s like if your favourite sports team suddenly had to play with one less player,” explains Gannon. “Kids get attached to their go-to strategies, so when something gets nerfed, it can genuinely affect their enjoyment.”
- OP (Overpowered)
This one’s straightforward once you know what it stands for. When something is “OP”, it means it’s too strong or gives players an unfair advantage. Your teen might say “That test was so OP!” when complaining about homework, borrowing the term from gaming to describe something unfairly difficult.
“When kids complain about something being OP, they’re usually highlighting a fairness issue, whether in a game or in their life,” says Gannon.
- Pog / Poggers
Don’t worry, although it may sound like it, this term isn’t inappropriate. “Pog” or “Poggers” comes from Twitch streaming culture and simply means something exciting or awesome happened. If your kid yells “Poggers!” after a big win, they’re just celebrating.
“Think of ‘Poggers’ as the gaming equivalent of shouting ‘Yes!’ after scoring a goal,” Gannon notes.
- LFG (Looking for Group)
If you ever hear or see your teen say “LFG” while texting friends or planning gaming sessions, they’re not using inappropriate language. It stands for “Looking for Group” and means they want to find teammates for multiplayer games. You might hear them say “I’m LFG for tonight’s raid” when making plans.
“LFG shows kids are looking to collaborate rather than go it alone,” explains Gannon.
- Fanum Tax
This newer term started as a meme on Twitch and YouTube. “Fanum tax” is when someone steals your food or snacks, named after a content creator known for taking his friends’ food. If your kid jokingly says “Fanum tax!” while stealing a chip off your plate, that’s what they mean: they’re playfully announcing their food theft.
“It’s basically the internet’s way of making food theft sound official,” says Gannon with a laugh.
- Sweat / Sweaty
A “sweat” or “sweaty” player isn’t someone who needs deodorant. These terms describe players who take games extremely seriously and try their absolute hardest to win. While it can be used negatively, it’s not always an insult – sometimes it’s just acknowledging someone’s skill level.
“Being called sweaty can actually be a compliment, as it means you’re good enough to intimidate other players,” notes Gannon.
- Griefing
This term describes players who intentionally ruin the game experience for others. Griefing can include blocking other players, destroying their creations, or generally being disruptive. It’s worth knowing this term since it relates to online behaviour and digital citizenship.
“Griefing is something parents should definitely know about since it relates to online bullying,” says Gannon.
- Mains
When your kid talks about their “main” during dinner conversation, they’re referring to their favourite character or weapon they use regularly. You might hear them say “I’m switching mains” when they’re trying out a new strategy or character.
“A player’s main is part of their gaming identity – it’s who they are in that digital world,” explains Gannon.
Steven Gannon, Co-Founder of FollowersPanda, commented:
“Gaming slang might seem like random internet speak, but it’s really how kids express themselves and connect with their peers. When parents take the time to understand these terms, they’re showing genuine interest in their child’s world.
“You don’t need to start using the slang yourself, but knowing what ‘getting nerfed’ or ‘being sweaty’ means can help you better understand your child’s gaming experiences. It’s also practical from a safety standpoint: understanding terms like ‘griefing’ helps you recognise when your child might be dealing with online harassment.
“The gaming community has its own rich language, and when parents make an effort to learn it, it opens up better communication at home.”