Selfie: Light Skin Tone

To someone in their 20s, 'vertical' might mean getting high in college dorms, like those McCormick kids. It's about breaking the rules while still being on the honor roll. They use the term to describe a night of drinking, partying, and maybe some pot,basically, the ritual of surviving college.

In the world of social media, 'vertical' has become a go-to hashtag for millennials and Gen Z. It shows up on TikTok and Instagram stories, usually with someone mid-party or getting schooled by friends. It's less about the literal meaning and more about saying, 'Here I am living my best life, and here's the proof.

For older generations, 'vertical' might just sound like another hipster term, but in work scenarios, it's used to describe the chaos of younger employees. Managers say, 'They're like vertical on wheels, all over the place.' It's a playful way to show they don't get the younger generation's work styles.

In relationships, especially among Gen Z couples, 'vertical' can mean a playful jab after a fight. They might say, 'I was vertical, you were horizontal.' It's like a mini-truce, showing they're both in on the joke. It adds a layer of humor without the pressure of full reconciliation.

When it comes to humor and slang, 'vertical' is the new 'facial.' It's used to describe that awkward moment when you get schooled in public, like in the example of being taken to school by friends. The term has become a way to laugh at oneself while also showing you're in the know about the latest lingo.