What it actually means if a Gen-Z person calls you 'unc'

There are a lot of terms that Gen-Z people tend to use for those in their later years or nearing 30.

One particular term, though, has seen a sharp rise in popularity over the course of 2024. Before you start worrying, we're not talking about 67 and the hand movement which drives the majority of people - and parents - up the wall.

No, it's being called an 'unc'.

You may have noticed your younger co-workers or family members directing this term at you, or maybe you're the Gen-Z individual dishing the word out to others.

So, for all of you that don't understand what 'unc' means, or have had it explained but still can't quite grasp its actual meaning, not to fear - here's what being an 'unc' actually entails.

Teenagers are ready to call anyone over the age of 20 'unc' (Getty Stock Image)

What is an 'unc'?

The slang word has risen in popularity due to its use on social media platforms such as TikTok, and some Gen-Z celebrities, such as Sabrina Carpenter, use it in their content.

'Unc' is a shortened version of the word 'uncle', with it replacing the term 'OK Boomer' online.

But unlike the old term, it's not used to mock older people or those who aren't as chronically online as younger people - it's actually more endearing.

Weird, I know, but it can either be used as a sign of respect for elders or as a way to tease someone slightly older.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Anna Pyshna, a spokesperson for language learning site Preply, explained who qualifies as an unc.

"Anyone, even someone in their early 30s, can be called "unc" if they carry a certain older-sibling or uncle-like energy," she said, adding: "Essentially, 'unc' can just mean someone is operating with a laid-back, or older, vibe."

Can anyone be an 'unc'?

The fact of the matter is that, sadly, there will always be someone younger than you who may see you as an 'unc' in one way or another. You may have experienced dial-up internet, a time before iPhones and iPads, or even the pre-TikTok age, and this may make you an unc.

The possibilities really are endless.

Many people in their 20s might feel left out by this trend, and they aren't alone; many are turning to social media to find an explanation for the term.

Laughing at someone for being older is hilarious until you become an 'unc' yourself (Getty Stock Image)

It's been reported that internet searches for 'unc meaning' have increased by 74 per cent in the last month, with searches including the word 'unc' even peaking at 5.9 million per month, according to The Daily Mail.

People have taken to the internet to complain about their own experiences as a supposed 'unc', with one writing: "Some guy in SF asked me my age last night. I told them I was 24. The entire group started laughing and calling me an unc."

Meanwhile, some younger internet users weighed in, with one saying: "People my age are calling 20-year-olds uncs lol."

Another added: "OK Boomer was genuinely used for boomers, unc is used for someone who's only like 3 years older than you."

According to Pyshna, though, gaining 'unc status' isn't a negative thing, as she pointed out: "OK boomer became a cultural shorthand for dismissing older viewpoints.

"By contrast, ‘unc’ is a softened update. It still refers to someone slightly older, but the tone is more playful than confrontational. It can signal respect, familiarity, or gentle teasing rather than dismissal."

Think of it as wisdom. Or something similar.