Lowell teacher makes ‘slang dictionary’ to better understand his students

LOWELL, Mass. (WPRI) — A Massachusetts teacher’s slang dictionary has gone viral after one of his students shared it on social media.

James Callahan, a sociology teacher at Lowell High School, created the list on a spreadsheet. It’s full of terms commonly used by Generation Z, including “bread,” “finna” and “slay.”

He said he made the dictionary not only to help other adults understand the emerging terms, but to also allow him to connect with his students.

“Teenagers sort of have their own language, and I want to be able to understand that and try to reach them at their level,” Callahan said.

Callahan is hoping his efforts will make students see him as “a real one,” described in his dictionary as “someone you can trust.”