A brief overview of what is currently trending in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Walmart Shrimp: The FDA has issued a warning against eating Great Value shrimp sold at Walmart due to potential health concerns.
John Wall: The NBA star announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the league.
Lego Batman: A new Lego-themed Batman video game is set to be released in 2026.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
New Gen Alpha Slang: “Chopped”
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What It Is: The term “Chopped” has blown up in Gen Alpha slang. Originally used as an insult meaning “ugly” or “unattractive,” it’s now being applied more broadly to anything that’s bad, boring, or unfair. Whether it’s “That fit is chopped” or “This homework is chopped,” the word is showing up both online and IRL among teens and tweens. This reflects a familiar pattern: Gen Alpha (like Gen Z before them) is remixing and repurposing language at lightning speed—often spreading new meanings through TikTok, Discord, and private group chats. In many cases, slang now evolves not over years, but in a matter of weeks.
Brand Takeaway: “Chopped” isn’t just a word: it’s a reminder that Gen Alpha’s communication is blunt, fast-moving, and shaped by meme culture. Brands that chase every new slang term risk sounding out of touch before a campaign even launches. Before attempting to use any slang, make sure you understand how it’s used and the cultural context behind it. And as always with internet trends and jokes, it’s more effective for brands to support and amplify the communities driving culture rather than co-opt or sanitize their language.
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
America’s Heat Divide breaks down who’s getting cooled and who’s left sweltering as climate inequality worsens.
Are we starting to talk like AI? Linguists are beginning to take notice of how our conversations might be shifting.
Full-body workouts are having a moment as fitness creators push for max results in minimal time.
A “watch my bag” video went viral on TikTok after a woman shared how a stranger refused to watch her carry-on at the airport, sparking debate about airport etiquette and safety.
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