Cover Malaysian-British actor Henry Golding, father of two, aesthetically ticks the Daddy boxes
Malaysian-British actor Henry Golding, father of two, aesthetically ticks the Daddy boxes
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An introduction to the Gen Z terms that often poke fun at Father stereotypes while also reflecting admiration or attraction toward certain “Dad” qualities or aesthetics
The Gen Z-ers, known for their strong appreciation for ironic, self-deprecating humour, and internet meme culture, use terms and phrases that reclaim and redefine norms and stereotypes–and often confuse both boomers and Millennials. These neo-digital natives use a lot of slang for several reasons, from creating identity to connecting with peers and, to a certain extent, rebellion and staying current. It helps them communicate efficiently yet expressively, and form their generational linguistic stamp.
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This Father’s Day, we skim through some Gen Z terms related to the word ‘Dad’. It may or may not influence you to want to use the same terms–don’t say we didn’t warn you.
“Dad bod”
Above A festivalgoer flaunting his “Dad bod” during the Hangout Music Festival on May 16, 2015 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
A festivalgoer flaunting his “Dad bod” during the Hangout Music Festival on May 16, 2015 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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A “Dad bod” refers to a male or a father’s body type that’s not extremely muscular or fit, but has a bit of extra weight or softness around the midsection. It's a physique that’s considered relatively normal for a man, especially one who has settled into fatherhood and family life, suggesting a more relaxed and natural approach to fitness and appearance.
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The term became popularised in the mid-2010s and is often used in a lighthearted or endearing way, suggesting that the ‘Dad bod’ is seen as an acceptable or even attractive body type by some.
“Dadcore”
Above Actor Adam Sandler fully embraces “Dadcore” in the fourth annual First Hawaiian Bank's Pro-Junior Golf Challenge at Waialae Country Club January 11, a kick-off event for the 2005 Sony Open
Actor Adam Sandler fully embraces “Dadcore” in the fourth annual First Hawaiian Bank's Pro-Junior Golf Challenge at Waialae Country Club January 11, a kick-off event for the 2005 Sony Open
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“Dadcore” is a fashion aesthetic and style trend that emerged in the late 2010s, particularly among younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials. It involves embracing and ironically celebrating the stereotypical father’s fashion sense and styles. Some key elements of the “Dadcore” aesthetic include polo T-shirts, “Dad” sneakers, pleated khaki pants, fanny packs, bucket hats, visors, cargo shorts, billowy short-sleeve button-downs, and more.
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The trend doesn't necessarily mean dressing like an actual Dad. It's more about co-opting and heightening traditional dad styles and bringing them into fashionable contexts in a tongue-in-cheek way.
“Zaddy”
Above Ryan Reynolds, now father of four, with his stunning wife Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Ryan Reynolds, now father of four, with his stunning wife Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
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On the flip side, “zaddy” is a slang term that refers to an attractive man, typically one who’s stylish, confident, and has an appealing personality. It's a combination of the words “zah” (from the phrase “the zah” meaning “the thing”) and “Daddy”, blending “Daddy” with the letter “z” to add a sense of modernity and coolness.
Read more: The unstoppable rise of the zaddy
These males, often in their 40s to 50s, are considered good-looking with a fit or muscular physique, have cool and fashionable aesthetics, a swagger in their demeanour, and an appealing, charismatic personality that adds to their overall appeal.
“Papi”
Above Football heartthrob David Beckham, “papi” of four, boasts all the qualifications for the title of the sexiest man alive
Football heartthrob David Beckham, “papi” of four, boasts all the qualifications for the title of the sexiest man alive
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When Gen Z uses the term “papi”, it takes on layered meanings. In their vernacular, “papi” can be construed as a flirtatious compliment toward an attractive older man or a way to embody ideas of masculinity and respect. The nuances depend on the contest and who’s saying it.
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For example, it may be used to express interest in a particular male they find attractive in a playful way or some Gen Z girls and young women may still use “papi” to refer to their actual father, reflecting the term’s Spanish origins which means “Daddy”. Gen Z guys, on the other hand, use “papi” to project an image of idealised masculinity, power, and attractiveness in a self-admiring way.
“Dad joke”
Above Former POTUS Barack Obama (L) “pardons” Abe, a 42-pound male turkey, with a dad joke during a ceremony with National Turkey Federation Chairman Jihad Douglas (2nd L), turkey farmer Joe Hedden and Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia in the Rose Garden at the White House November 25, 2015 in Washington, DC.
Former POTUS Barack Obama (L) “pardons” Abe, a 42-pound male turkey, with a dad joke during a ceremony with National Turkey Federation Chairman Jihad Douglas (2nd L), turkey farmer Joe Hedden and Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia in the Rose Garden at the White House November 25, 2015 in Washington, DC.
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A dad joke is a type of joke or pun that’s generally considered corny, cheesy, or overly simple. Dad jokes are so-called because they are stereotypically told by fathers in an embarrassing or cringeworthy attempt at humour. These jokes, which frequently involve mundane topics like food, transportation, animals, etc. rely heavily on puns, wordplay, and homophones (words that sound alike but have different meanings) with anti-climatic punchlines.
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Despite their “bad reputation”, bad jokes have become a sort of celebrated, self-aware genre of humour. As former POTUS Barack Obama once said during his 2015 turkey pardoning speech, “Abe is now a free bird. He is TOTUS, the Turkey of the United States.” much to the embarrassment of his daughters, Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama.
This article/explainer was generated by AI. We are dedicated to bringing you into our world with more meaningful content, and AI is allowing us to explore this frontier and deliver more content you will love.
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