OK Boomer

“OK Boomer” is a viral catchphrase and internet meme primarily used by Millennials and Generation Z to dismiss or mock attitudes associated with the baby boomer generation (those born roughly between 1946 and 1964). The phrase exploded in popularity on TikTok in late 2019, serving as a retort to perceived condescension, resistance to change, or out-of-touch political views expressed by older adults. It gained significant institutional visibility when 25-year-old New Zealand lawmaker Chlöe Swarbrick used it in parliament to silence a heckler during a speech on climate change.

The acceptability of the term is heavily debated along generational lines. Proponents argue that it is a necessary, humorous expression of frustration regarding economic inequality and climate inaction, serving as a “digital eye-roll” against older generations who frequently criticize youth culture. Detractors, however, often view the phrase as ageist and disrespectful, arguing that it reduces individuals to a stereotype based on their birth year and shuts down constructive intergenerational dialogue. In some professional environments, the term has been flagged as potential evidence of age-based workplace harassment.

Example:
“When his uncle started lecturing the table about how easy it was to buy a house in the 1980s, he just muttered, ‘OK Boomer,’ and went back to his phone.”

Example:
“The merchandise featuring the slogan ‘OK Boomer’ sold out within hours, highlighting the cultural rift between the generations.”