Gen Z divided over 'disgusting' new term used instead of 'sex'

Look, as a fellow member of Gen Z myself, it's pretty exhausting seeing the relentless p*ss-taking out of our generation from our Millennial or Gen X predecessors.

That being said, I don't blindly follow or agree with all the zeitgeisty internet trends and social media slang that seem to cycle among my fellow late-90s/early-2000s kids.

OK, the Gen Z stare thing is categorically funny, and the concept of 'analog bags' does kinda make sense - but when it comes to what is coined as 'Gen Z' lingo, you've lost me.

Whether it's 'rage bait', 'aura farming', 'beige flag', 'girl math', or 'soft launch' - it's clear we youngsters are very creative in the language department.

But the new Gen Z term used in place of 'sex' or 'having intimate relations with' has turned me right off altogether, and it's clear I'm not the only one with many rushing online to share their divided thoughts on the highly controversial new turn of phrase.

Gen Z are seriously divided over a brand new term used instead of 'sex' (Getty Stock Images)

Now, it's clear there are a whole bunch of synonyms for 'having sex' which range from your more romantic 'making love' additions to the funnier 'bumping uglies' all the way through to the way more, um, explicit euphemisms like 'sh*gged', 'smashed' or 'railed'.

And now we've gotta add 'cracked' to such a list.

Yep, the latest verb that's cropped up online to describe getting it on is 'cracked'.

Gen Z, both men and women, are bragging about 'getting cracked' online with one TikTok user who worked at a fast-food chain sharing: "Me when I got cracked three times last night, which means everyone gon get FULL fries today."

Another worker posted: "Got cracked last night, everybody’s getting an extra scoop," while a third chimed in: "Got cracked so good last night I might just let y’all steal today."

Critics have highlighted the 'violent' and 'misogynistic' undertones of the term 'cracked' (The Good Brigade / Getty Stock Images)

While it may be popular, it's clear that 'cracked' isn't universally loved online, with one Reddit user lamenting: "I really hate that the new online slang for sex is 'cracked.' As if we needed ANOTHER violent term for sex."

Another person wrote: "This new term 'cracked' is so disgusting. Bring back love making."

Meanwhile, a TikTok user wrote on a video which has over 1.5 million views: "Maybe I'm too woke, but the term 'cracked' is misogynistic. You cracked her? Cracked as in broken open? Same with hit that & smash.

"It perpetuates the idea that women are something to be unlocked, dominated, that women are damaged/ lose their value after having sex. Weirdly objectifying."

Many agreed, with a viewer noting: "'Sometimes it's just a word' a strangely violent word describing an act of LOVE between two people... but yeah it's JUST a word."

The ever-evolving 'cracked' discourse is huge talking point online, especially on TikTok (Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Stock Images)

And a second echoed: "I felt my brain develop a little when I read this lowkey. I’ve never thought about it that way, but you’re 100% right."

Others, however, couldn't have disagreed more.

"But cracked is gender neutral," highlighted a third, as a fourth thought people were reading too much into it, writing: "Some things just are mundane/simple with no deeper meaning."

A fifth commented: "Help women say it too. This may be the one time that I agree this is TOO woke…"

"I hate being in this generation," dispaired another, and a final TikToker added: "Same, like I don’t feel like it’s THAT deep."

Where do you stand on the debate?