Listening to Gen Zers communicate can feel like you’re listening to an alien language at times. Slang terms such as “rizz” and “skibidi” don’t quite make obvious sense at first glance, leaving folks that come from older generations wondering about their meanings. Then there’s the word “mid,” which is used by people of all ages in various contexts (e.g., “mid-Atlantic” and “midair.” But to Generation Z, it means something quite specific.
“Mid” is essentially a shortened form of the term “middle,” meaning “neither very good nor very bad.” It’s commonly used to review the quality of something, and it’s a suitable alternative to ratings of “so-so” or “meh.” For example, if you saw a mediocre film, you might review it as “mid” on your Letterboxd account. (If you haven’t heard of Letterboxd, ask a Gen Z-er.) Or if you try a new restaurant and are left underwhelmed by the meal, you may call it “mid” on your Yelp review.
We’ve noticed some folks swapping “mid” for “whatever,” but we’re here to tell you that the terms aren’t perfect synonyms for one another. “Mid” means you have a firm belief that something is unremarkable, while “whatever” expresses true indifference. Try to avoid using these words interchangeably. Many Gen Zers continue to use the word “whatever,” much like earlier generations, though it’s sometimes shortened to just “wtv” over text.
In addition to calling something “mid,” you can also say that something is “midder” than another concept or the “middest” of them all. In all these cases, “mid” is never intended as a compliment and is often accompanied by a tinge of disappointment.
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