The Day I Learned What “Chungus” Means (and Apparently Responded Correctly)

Working with young people keeps you humble.

One minute you’re focused on the work—phones ringing, patients checking in, systems doing what they do—and the next minute a word floats past your ears that absolutely does not belong to your generation.

“CHUNGUS”

I paused.

Because my spirit knew this word mattered… even though my brain did not.

Naturally, I asked what it meant.

Turns out Chungus is internet slang. It’s absurd. It’s funny. It can mean something big, chunky, chubby, or absolutely nothing at all.

It comes from memes, gaming culture, and humor that doesn’t need logic to survive.

So basically… nonsense with confidence.

Then there was 6/7.

Now this one? Even better.

Apparently “6/7” has no real meaning either. It’s a sound. A vibe. A response.

A generational inside joke meant to confuse adults and bond young people. Sometimes it comes with a little hand motion—palms up, rocking slightly—like maybe this, maybe that, maybe nothing at all.

And here’s where it gets good.

Without thinking…

I did the hand motion.

I didn’t plan it.

I didn’t rehearse it.

My body just responded.

Hands up.

Little motion.

6/7.

The room laughed.

And that’s when it hit me—I may not fully understand the words, but somehow I understood the moment.

I guess I responded accurately.

That’s the thing about working with younger generations. You don’t always need the dictionary definition. Sometimes you just need to be present, open, and willing to look a little ridiculous while learning something new.

Today I learned:

Chungus is a word

6/7 is a vibe

Meaning is optional

And my hands are more up to date than my brain 🤣

Honestly?

I’m okay with that.