New vocabulary of 'brat' Innocents

“For your generation, what does ‘tito’ or ‘tita’ mean?” asked Ms. Rellzah, 22, my Gen Z partner in Sapol-dwIZ. Of course us seniors use those to address the brother or sister of our parent.

- JARIUS BONDOC

Not for Gen Z. For those born 19972012, Ms. Rellzah said, “tito” and “tita” are adjectives, not nouns. They describe a kabarkada who has outgrown bingedrinking, or plasters Salonpas on aching muscles, or snorts Katinko for migraine.

Speaking of which, the Oxford English Dictionary has just added “bingeworthy.” Definition: engaging enough for a viewer to watch multiple episodes in succession.

Would 12-hourlong House quad comm hearings qualify as binge-worthy? “Omsim,” Ms. Rellzah assured, “Mismo.” But viewers feel “eguls” or “lugi” when invitees Bato dela Rosa and VP Sara Duterte don’t show up on summons date.

I recently read in an Audible book that “clouds,” for American grade schoolers, are “for raining on plants.” We oldies learned in elementary science that clouds contain rain. But for youngsters, clouds have function.

“Boogsh,” or stylized “bongga,” is among Gen Z words soon to be included in the local dictionary, said commissioner Benjamin Mendillo, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino. Example: “Malacañang’s Christmas party was boogsh, even after giving PhilHealth zero budget.”