Pop Off, King: VA Librarian Uses Gen Z Slang In Video To Promote Library Services

MANASSAS, VA — If you're not a part of Generation Z, the terms "no cap," "lit," "periodt," and "bet" might not make sense to you. But one librarian from a different generation recently had the "rizz" to pull off a Gen Z slang-filled video to promote library services.

(See video below.)

According to Prince William Public Libraries communications and marketing director Rachel Johnson, staff from the Bull Run and Gainesville Libraries approached the library's communications and marketing team for a project with a Gen Z twist. Teen Advisory Group members from Gen Z helped staff write a script using Gen Z slang.

Johnson noted that the trend has been viral since the Northumberland Zoo in the UK did it last summer.

"Our staff members enjoyed seeing other libraries that started releasing their own spin on it," Johnson told Patch.

Anyone born between 1997 and about 2010 is part of Gen Z, many publications said.

For Prince William Public Libraries' own video, they decided to make Gregg Grunow, branch manager at Prince William County's Bull Run Library, the star, since he had the "rizz," or charisma, needed. To see a man from another generation pull off the Gen Z script was no less than entertaining.

"After the librarians and teen volunteer coordinated on the script, we had the perfect person with main character energy in mind: Bull Run Library's Branch Manager had just the right amount of rizz to pull off this trend," Johnson said. "Our media specialist's production and editing skills helped bring even more levity and engagement to Gregg’s epic performance."

Some of the phrases directly appealed to Gen Z to find out what libraries have to offer.

"Besties, you need to come to the Bull Run Library. It just hits different," Grunow said in the video. "Everything at the library is free, no cap."

Other highlights were "The librarians really popped off with these programs, slay," "This is the quiet study, and the vibes are immaculate" and "The new books ate and left no crumbs."

There were even sillier elements, like Grunow pointing to objects in the library saying, "slay," "mood," "she's serving, for real, for real," "slay queen" and "pop off, king."

The video drew thousands of comments praising Grunow, even catching the attention of social media followers far away from Northern Virginia.

"So bummed this is a ten-hour drive away from me because the vibes are indeed immaculate," one follower said.

"Let him cook. Drop part 2, king," another said.

A Few Common Gen Z Slang Terms

• Rizz: This is a descriptive term that is a shortened version of charisma.
• Cap and no cap: Cap could be used to call someone out for not telling the truth. No cap is the opposite, indicating there is no lie.
• Slay/pop off: This usually is a complement to tell someone they are doing something well.
• The vibes are immaculate: This refers to a setting providing a good experience.
• Fire/lit: This usually describes something that is excellent or high quality.
• Say less: This usually means no further explanation is needed, similar to "say no more."
• Hits different: This refers to something that had a more unique impact than normal, and it is often a positive experience.
• Main character energy: This can someone who has confidence, is authentic, or puts a positive focus on themselves, ultimately letting them control their own story.
• Ate and left no crumbs: This is a compliment telling someone they did something flawlessly.
• Lowkey: This means someone wants to emphasize something with minimal feeling or attention.
• Highkey: This is the opposite of lowkey, meaning someone is bringing a lot of attention to their feeling or action.
• Bet: This is usually a response indicating agreement.
• Periodt: This refers to a final end of a thought with emphasis.