Experts have provided insight into the term ‘unc’, noting that many individuals remain unsure about its meaning and whether they should take offense if it’s used to describe them.
Criticism of the younger generation’s evolving language isn’t new; each generation tends to refresh the language that previous generations have embraced for years.
Just as you and your friends did over time, new words emerge, while existing ones are redefined or repurposed, and ‘unc’ is currently a focal point for many.
This is primarily because many are uncertain about the definition of the word, while also questioning why Gen Z refers to individuals in their 30s as ‘unc’ on social media platforms.
Searches for ‘unc meaning’ have increased globally by 74 percent, and experts suggest that ‘unc’ has notably supplanted ‘Ok Boomer’ in modern vernacular.
For those who need a reminder, ‘Ok Boomer’ was a phrase that could provoke reactions online due to its meme status and underlying reasons.
Anna Psyshna, representing Preply, sheds light on this, stating: “’OK boomer’ became a cultural shorthand for dismissing older viewpoints. It signaled a generational divide as a way for younger people to say, politely or not, that ‘you’re out of touch.’ It was sharp, reactive, and rooted in frustration.”
This contrasts with the definition of ‘unc’, which, as Psyshna explains, carries a more positive and less dismissive tone.
She elaborated: “By contrast, ‘unc’ is a softened update. It still refers to someone slightly older, but the tone is more playful than confrontational. It can signal respect, familiarity, or gentle teasing rather than dismissal.
‘Unc’ is derived from ‘uncle’, yet online it has grown beyond mere familial connections. While it technically denotes someone older, its application is much broader.
“Even individuals in their early 30s can be dubbed ‘unc’ if they exude an older-sibling or uncle-like aura. Essentially, ‘unc’ may imply someone emanates a relaxed, or more mature, vibe.”
While the term can occasionally be wielded as an insult, it is generally used affectionately by Gen Z to refer to someone from an older generation.
With this knowledge, you might find yourself better equipped to engage with younger generations and their unique slang.
Err.. 67, is that right?