Baby boomers – the generation born in the two decades after the Second World War – make up about 20% of the American population. This generation sometimes described as the “longest-living generation in history” is seen to have a significant impact on the economy. The boomer generation has been accused of a lot, including denying climate change and what some refer to as ‘generational plunder’ and this, inevitably, led to memes. Now a young New Zealand MP has used the term ‘Ok Boomer’ in parliament; which of course went viral.
Chlöe Swarbrick was speaking about climate change in parliament and she was heckled by older lawmakers. In response she said ‘ok boomer’ – a term often used to mock the attitudes of the boomer generation – and promptly went viral on social media.
The boomer generation often accuses later generations – particularly millennials – of being entitled, oversensitive and whiny... of being snowflakes with an exaggerated sense of their own uniqueness.
…But boomers apparently weren't listening. ‘Ok boomer’ is a sort of passive aggressive response to this.
Many boomers have responded to the supposed slur of ‘Ok boomer’ by saying it is ageist and rude. They find it triggering.
The New York Times described the ‘Ok boomer’ phenomenon as an end to friendly generational relations. This is when Gen Z and millennials decided that they had had enough of financial inequality and climate change denial from the boomers.
He lambasted everyone who dared use the phrase ‘ok boomer’ and went on to detail the many, many hardships that he and his generation had to contend with.
There were, of course, some from the boomer generation who admitted that boomers have voted to lower their own taxes and borrow to spend more; that they have denied climate change because it suits them. Later generations are paying the price for decisions taken by boomers at the time.
Some feel that this has become a catchphrase for anyone who wants to counter someone older than them.
…Boomers get upset with Ok Boomer.
This is what Gen Z and millennials are accusing Boomers of.
Of course, the memes keep coming --- and getting better!
Like this!
‘Back in my time’ is one of the fave terms for boomers to preface their stories with.
This is another pet peeve of the boomers – to which the rest roll their eyes and say Ok Boomer!
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