How every generation says that's hilarious
A funny reaction often doubles as a report of laughter, not a literal claim. The catchphrases below track shifts from spoken idioms to shorthand used in texts, posts, and comments.
By Cal Hewitt, Gen X ·
Saying "that's hilarious" across the ages
- Gen Alphano word of its own
Gen Alpha laughs in the same shorthand Gen Z uses, the skull emoji and “I'm dead” included, rather than having a term of its own.
- Gen ZIJBOL
IJBOL means "I just burst out laughing." It is internet-first shorthand in texts, posts, and comments for a real, strong laugh, and has gained recent traction through K-pop fandom and broader online culture.
“That video of the dog wearing sunglasses? IJBOL.”
- MillennialI'm dying
"I'm dying" is an exaggerated reaction to something extremely funny, not a literal claim. Millennials use it in speech and online, often with "laughing" implied or added for emphasis.
“I'm dying, your impression of the principal was perfect.”
- Gen Xcracked me up
"Cracked me up" means made me laugh very hard. It is a relaxed, spoken past-tense reaction, commonly used after recounting a joke, person, or moment.
“That story about the broken karaoke machine cracked me up.”
- Boomera gas
"A gas" means something delightful or highly entertaining. It is a mid-20th-century slangy noun phrase, now often used with an old-school or playful feel.
“Your uncle's dance routine was a gas.”
What they all have in common
Each expression turns a laugh into a verdict: the thing was funny enough to produce a strong reaction. The imagery changes, from dying to cracking up to digital shorthand, but the social work is the same: sharing amusement quickly.
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Who said it? Laugh edition
0/31. Which term is internet shorthand for "I just burst out laughing"?
2. Which phrase means "made me laugh very hard"?
3. Which older slang phrase means something was delightful or entertaining?
Questions people ask
What is the Gen Z way to say that's hilarious?
IJBOL is a Gen Z-associated online reaction meaning "I just burst out laughing."
What does IJBOL stand for?
It stands for "I just burst out laughing."
What does cracked me up mean?
It means something made you laugh very hard.
Does Gen Alpha have its own term for that's hilarious?
Not a separate one. Gen Alpha uses the same shorthand as Gen Z, the skull emoji and “I'm dead” included.