A new piece of slang is sweeping through the lexicon of the youngest generation, and it's being used to describe anyone they perceive as having a few years on them. The term 'unc' – short for uncle – has exploded in popularity, moving from niche online spaces to the mainstream, thanks in part to endorsements from A-list celebrities.
From TikTok to Timothée: How 'Unc' Went Viral
The rise of 'unc' as a generational label was significantly amplified by a viral TikTok video in July last year. Content creator Riley Hardwick posted about chaperoning kids at a school prom, declaring he had "just found out I'm chopped, and also unc." The term quickly caught fire, resonating with Gen Alpha's need for a shorthand to describe older individuals.
Data from the language-learning platform Preply confirms the trend's meteoric rise. Searches for the word "unc" now pull in a staggering 5.9 million monthly searches globally, with queries for "unc meaning" skyrocketing by 74%.
The trend reached new heights of visibility when celebrities adopted it. 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 strikingly, actor Timothée Chalamet embraced the label himself upon turning 30, posting on Instagram in his signature excitable all-caps: "TIMMYTIM IS OFFICIALLY UNC."
What Does 'Unc' Actually Mean?
At its core, 'unc' is used by Generation Alpha to address or describe anyone older than them. However, it's less about a specific age and more about an aura or 'energy'. According to Preply, "Anyone … can be called 'unc' if they carry a certain older-sibling or uncle-like energy."
Signs you might be radiating 'uncle-like energy' include:
- Being a fan of the TV show Friends.
- Knowing the lyrics to Black Eyed Peas' 2009 hit I Gotta Feeling.
- Finding yourself baffled by newer slang like 'six-seven'.
Perceptions of what age qualifies someone as an 'unc' vary wildly among the young. One teacher reported asking his teenage students, with one respondent claiming the status could apply to anyone aged 20 or above.
A Softer Alternative to 'OK, Boomer'?
While the term has sparked debate on platforms like Reddit about whether it's the new "OK, boomer," linguists suggest there's a key difference in tone. A spokesperson for Preply explained that using kinship terms like 'unc' is a form of "linguistic softening."
Calling someone 'unc' is "more playful than confrontational," they noted. "It can signal respect, familiarity or gentle teasing rather than dismissal." This sets it apart from the more outright dismissive 'OK, boomer' phrase that characterised previous intergenerational exchanges.
The term also has deeper cultural roots that predate its Gen Alpha adoption. In many Asian and African cultures, using 'auntie' and 'uncle' is a standard sign of respect for older non-relatives. Furthermore, 'unc' has a long history within African American Vernacular English (AAVE), though its usage there can range from respectful to derogatory depending on context.
Some content creators from these backgrounds have even called out Gen Alpha for misusing the term. Creator @kaymcfly commented, "I think y'all have the wrong definition… You're calling people unc and they're not even over 30," highlighting a potential case of cultural appropriation as the slang crosses over.
Ultimately, 'unc' represents the latest evolution in how generations label each other. It's a term that manages to acknowledge an age gap while maintaining a layer of affectionate ribbing. As the saying now goes: "If you need to ask what 'unc' means, you are one."
