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Topics: Technology
Lucy Devine
In case you're still not aware of the differences between millennials and Gen Z, here's another big one to add to the list.
Apparently, the way you text is a huge indication of which generation you belong to and holds all kinds of clues about your age.
And nope, we're not just talking about which emojis you use.
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In case you needed a reminder, the term 'millennials' refers to those born between 1981 and 1996.
Meanwhile, Gen Z generally references those born between 1997 and 2012.
And people seem to love pointing out the big differences between the two groups and one that is continuously cropping up at the moment concerns an understated item of clothing.
If you're a millennial, you'll probably be under the opinion that when wearing trainers, socks should *not* be on show.
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Yes, we are referring to the humble pop sock. But for Gen Z, just the term 'pop sock' is mortifying.
It seems Gen Z don’t have time for ankle socks and would rather opt for the crew style.
Gen Z reporter Snake Deton told Vogue Business: “Millennials used to turn up their skinny jeans and show their ankles.
"That’s the look I associate pop socks with. But that s**t is anathema for people in their teens and twenty-somethings.”
The differences, of course, do not stop there. One huge age giveaway is how you text.
If you write in full sentences, with correct grammar and leave the auto-capitalisation on (in other words, your phone inputs a capital letter automatically) chances are you're a millennial.
Meanwhile, if you write in all lowercase, chances are you're a Gen Z.
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One TikToker wrote: "Maturing is realising it might be time to stop writing in all lowercase. It's the end of an era."
While another said: "i feel like all lowercase is more sincere and chill and for some reason easier to read. lowercase is my truest self."
And a third added: "it just look so wrong beginning a sentence with a capital letter and not ending it with a period, that’s why i type in all lowercase."
Meanwhile a fourth commented: "lowercase makes me feel like i’m not getting lectured when people talk to me."
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And according to Noël Wolf, a a language and culture expert at Babbel, typing lowercase seems more 'casual and relaxed' to a Gen Z person.
Speaking to Metro, she said: “Typing in lowercase is often faster and easier than including grammatically expected uppercase letters, aligning with the fast-paced nature of online communication.
“Lowercase text can also appear more visually appealing, softer, and less imposing compared to uppercase text.
“Overall, the preference for lowercase typing among the younger generation is a combination of cultural shifts, ease of use, and a desire to create a more relaxed and individualistic online presence."
The millennials reading this might actually remember a time when Everyone Typed Like This - which is maybe why we don't mind the odd, grammatically correct capital letter every now and then.