It’s a generational standoff: Millennials have joined Generation Z on social media to poke fun at some stereotypes of the older generation with the use of the term “OK Boomer.” In its short life, the phrase has become applicable not only to those born from 1946-1964 but to older people in general.
That generational insult is aimed at Baby Boomers, the generation born between the years 1946-1964, according to Pew Research Center. The saying was invented by Generation Z, born from 1997-2012, and surfaced on video streaming platform TikTok.
The term has defined the difference between the hip and unhip. If you find it funny, you’re young. If you find it offensive and view it as a slur, you’re old. (If you’re old and find it funny: congrats, you aren’t a “boomer.” If you’re young and find it offensive, I have bad news for you.)
Some have gone as far as to say that the saying “marks the end of friendly generational relations.” One radio host even likened the term to the n-word.
Millennials have been credited with ruining the modern romance, the economy, department stores and so much more by Boomers. The issue with the generational relations is that the younger generations and the older generations don’t understand each other, no matter how much Millennials try to explain that they are not ruining things. Millennials are just changing with the times regardless of who likes it. Boomers, however, do not understand. They continue to place blame on the younger generations, even as the younger generations try to explain facts and evidence behind the true cause of the issues.
In a CNN article, millionaire Tim Gurner gives a message to Millennials: If you quit wasting your money on avocado toast, maybe you could afford to buy a house. While Gurner is himself a Millennial, that way of thinking is definitely what would cause younger people to say “OK Boomer.” While avocado toast is expensive, it doesn’t change the fact that the economy is wrecked, mostly thanks to Boomers.
Younger generations are tired of being blamed by Boomers. Boomers are just out of touch. Rather than try to explain to them why they are wrong, which in the past has outright failed, younger generations have resulted in saying “OK Boomer,” realizing they cannot reason with the Baby Boomer generation. Millennials and Generation Z have given up. They are simply saying “OK, if you say so.”
This new saying isn’t the end of friendly generational relations. That ended a long time ago.
Mikayla Rochelle is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Tell Mikayla by tweeting her at @mikayla_roch.
