Anyone who has passed the age of, say, 30 knows that you start to notice little signs that you are not as young as you used to be. They appear in sublte ways, the music you still defend, the shows you nostalgically
replay, the slang that no longer feels like yours. And now, there’s a new label quietly creeping into your cultural consciousness, ‘Unc’.
The slang was already popular on TikTok and Instagram but it broke viral when Timothée Chalamet thanked everyone on his 30th birthday, “THANK U FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES THANK U THANK U THANK U!!!!!! TIMMYTIM IS OFFICIALLY UNC #uncletimmytim.”
What Is ‘Unc’?
Unc, short for uncle, is the latest Gen Alpha shorthand or slang for someone who is older, slightly out of touch, or culturally behind the curve but not in a brutal way unlike “OK, boomer” still close enough. To be called unc is not necessarily to be dismissed, but it is to be placed gently on the other side of the line.
Thirty is no longer considered old, but for Gen Alpha, it signifies a threshold. That age where you may be energetic and successful, but if your references lean too heavily on Friends reruns or early 2000s pop hits, you might already be nudged into ‘unc’ territory.
Signs You Might Be an ‘Unc’
Being called an unc isn’t about chronological age alone, it’s about cultural positioning. It’s less “you’re old” and more “you’re slightly out of step with what’s trending right now.” Here are some signs that you might have officially crossed into unc territory:
You Nostalgically Defend Shows From the Early 2000s
Rewatching Friends for the hundredth time? Insisting Gilmore Girls is peak television? Gen Alpha sees this as classic ‘unc’ behavior, fond, but just a little behind.
You Still Have A Playlist Full Of Hits From 2010 (or Earlier)
If your go-to songs are more Black Eyed Peas than Billie Eilish, the kids notice. It’s less about taste and more about timing, you’re clinging to a soundtrack that predates the current moment.
You Use Slang Incorrectly (or Not At All)
Words like “bet,” “no cap,” or “six-seven” might leave you confused, or you find yourself overexplaining them. This is a sign that you ar trying to engage but missing the beat.
You Ask “Wait, Who?” a lot on Social Media
Seeing a viral trend or a new star and genuinely not recognising them is a classic unc move. It’s not ignorance, it’s a generational lag in real time.
You Feel Awkward Having An Everyday Social Media Presence
Memes, challenges, viral dances, if you participate hesitantly, or need step-by-step explanations, congratulations, you’ve crossed the line.
You Embrace your ‘Unc’ Status with Humour
Ironically, the clearest sign of being an ‘unc’ is acknowledging it. Laughing at yourself, sharing memes, or posting your own #uncletimmytim moment shows awareness and makes the title less of an insult and more of a playful badge.
Is ‘Unc’ an Insult or A Compliment?
It depends on multiple factors, ‘Unc’ walks a fine line between affectionate ribbing and cultural critique. Unlike boomer, it isn’t meant to shut down conversation it reflects a recognition, you are older than the speaker, and they notice.
Many celebrities have leaned into the term playfully. So when Sabrina Carpenter used the word to thank and describe her record producer it acknowledged age and experience without delivering it not as an insult.
Chalamet’s public declaration, for instance, was met with affection and admiration. So accepting your ‘unc’ status doesn’t mean you are irrelevant; it just adds up the context that you are now part of a new cultural conversation that makes you the “new boomer”.
