The Trendy Crowd is Now Labeling Us as ‘Cheugy’—So What Does That Mean?

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or hanging out with those in their twenties, you might have encountered the term “cheugy.” If not, don’t stress; you’re not alone. I only stumbled upon it recently when a colleague mentioned it in our work chat. It felt as if we were all suddenly put on the defensive by this new slang, clearly created by Gen Z. Honestly, it’s hard to keep up with what’s in and what’s out these days. After doing a little digging, I found out that “cheugy” (pronounced chew-gee with a firm “g”) is gaining traction and seems to mostly describe older Millennial women, though it’s not limited by age or gender. It has a similar vibe to being “basic,” but with a bit more precision.

Origin of the Term

So where did this quirky term originate? Glad you asked. Gaby Rasson, a 23-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles, coined it back in 2013 while she was a student at Beverly Hills High School. It was a creation of a literal teenager in the same year my child was born. No wonder so many Millennials can relate to cheugy; we were already adults when the term came about. “It was a category that didn’t exist,” Rasson shared with The New York Times. “There was a missing word that was on the edge of my tongue and nothing to describe it, and ‘cheugy’ came to me. How it sounded fit the meaning.” The term quickly spread among her high school and summer camp friends, eventually making its way to TikTok.

What Qualifies as Cheugy?

To clarify, I’m still not completely sure what qualifies as cheugy, and I suspect that’s part of the allure. Like any good thirty-something, I turned to Google for answers, but the more I searched, the more I felt like the definition was intentionally ambiguous. Those who seem to understand it often say, “if you know, you know,” which only reinforces my suspicion that I might be a cheug.

There are certainly examples of things that are almost universally recognized as cheugy. The New York Times describes cheugy as “broadly used to characterize someone who is out of touch or trying too hard.” As a 35-year-old mom, I know I sometimes miss the mark on trends. Between my full-time job and parenting, I admit I’ve become a bit of a grandma—I have a TikTok account that I barely use because it overwhelms me. There are definitely things I adore that are considered cheugy, but I won’t be giving up my Uggs anytime soon. They’re just too cozy, and at my age, comfort reigns supreme. So, let the kids label me a cheug—someday they’ll come to understand.

What Does Cheugy Encompass?

Now, let’s dive into what cheugy actually encompasses. Spoiler alert: if you enjoy any of the following, you might just qualify. Some notorious examples include:

Pinterest
“The Office” t-shirts
Minions
Lilly Pulitzer
EOS lip balms

Many TikToks I’ve seen suggest that “millennial girl boss energy” is also quite cheugy. If you own anything from Etsy or Target with that ubiquitous script, you’re likely cheugy. Still unsure? An article from The Cut sums it up well: “Think of things likely liked by the high-school classmate who tried to recruit you into a multi-level marketing scheme.” If you have a “Live, Laugh, Love” sign, then you’re cheugy too.

One friend even joked that lasagna is cheugy, but I respectfully disagree—lasagna is delicious! Through my extensive research (read: watching TikToks until my brain hurt), it seems that many things labeled cheugy stem from white, female Millennial culture. It makes sense, considering many of us are moms who’ve lost track of what’s trendy.

Classic Cheugy Items

Here’s a quick list of classic cheugy items:

Adoring Chip and Joanna Gaines
Shiplap (still not sure what that is)
Modern farmhouse style
Chemvron patterns
That one white rug with a black tribal design
An all-white kitchen with quartz countertops
T-shirts that say “yes way, rosé”
Adults who are Disney fans
Barstool Sports
Tory Burch flats
Any home decor with trendy fonts
Phrases like “adulting” and “doggo”
Oversized scarves
Glitter tumblers and reusable cups
Cruises

Other behaviors considered cheugy include marrying your high school sweetheart or getting hitched before turning 25. If you’re into The Hype House, you’re cheug too. (For those unfamiliar, it’s a house in LA where TikTok stars reside.) That Gucci belt with the double Gs? Cheugy city.

Now that I think about it, writing this piece to explain the term might make me cheugy, especially since I’m sipping a venti Starbucks chai while doing it. Are my Toms cheugy? Probably. So are my joggers, but comfort wins out every time.

Cheugy vs. Basic

According to The Cut, cheugy seems broader and less mean-spirited than “basic,” carrying more of a self-deprecating tone. This might be true, as many TikTok users are poking fun at themselves for being cheugy. However, it is mostly used by younger people to poke fun at what older generations enjoy. We get it—Millennials are aging, and our kids remind us of this constantly, especially when our joints crack as we stand up. We don’t need another TikTok trend to tell us what we already know.

Gaby Rasson believes that “looking good for yourself and not caring what others think exudes non-cheugyness.” So perhaps most Millennials aren’t cheugy after all, despite what TikTok claims.

Conclusion

To sum up, the term “cheugy” reflects a cultural critique from younger generations towards the preferences and styles of older Millennials, often poking fun at what is perceived as outdated or trying too hard. While it can feel like a lighthearted jab, it also highlights generational divides in taste and trends.