What Does 'Sending Me' Mean On TikTok?

If you're not part of Generation Z, trying to figure out the who and what of all they say and do can be a bit complicated. We are, after all, talking about a generation that probably doesn't know what a floppy disk is, so it only makes sense that the generations before might not know what's completely going on in the world of Gen Zers. And that's okay. Younger generations are supposed to bring a new brand of confusion and fun to the table so everyone can hash it out and share stories — like a multi-generational campfire chat.

Although TikTok doesn't have an age limit, with some oldies but goodies like Elton John using the app, according to findings by Wallaroo Media, Gen Z makes up 60% of those who use TikTok, adding that the generation are officially "trendsetters." And, as we know, those who set the trends rule the world — at least on TikTok — so other generations can't be surprised when something comes from these trendsetters that they don't understand. Trendsetting is about breaking the mold, out with the old and in with the new. It's about carving out a place in this world and leaving an indelible imprint. It's about taking words, mashing them up, and giving them a new meaning. It's about "sending me" — but where?

While our fast-paced society, thanks to technological advances, has brought us into a world of acronyms (LOL!), social media has brought us into a world of slang and expressions that, for some older folks, are mindboggling. For example, "(no) bones day" — who would have ever thought this would be an expression based on a 13-year-old pug named Noodle who predicts how the day will go from his TikTok platform (via YouTube)? Probably not many, but what a spectacular time to be alive if Noodle is Gen Z's Nostradamus.

Among all the fun terms to come out of TikTok is the phrase "sending me." Although "sending me" sounds like you're actually being sent somewhere, either physically or emotionally, this isn't exactly the case in this context. According to Cision's handy-dandy "31 Gen Z/TikTok slang, expressions and acronyms you need to know in 2022" list, "sending me" is basically Millennials' answer to "I can't even" or "I'm dead" — neither of which have gone, technically, out of style yet. It should be noted that Gen X's and the Baby Boomer's version of this doesn't seem to exist, so there's no comparison that can be offered there if you're from those generations. 

Because we live in a world where we're inundated with social platforms, that means that "sending me" doesn't need to stay exclusively on TikTok. Considering Cision defines it as, "It means you're having a strong reaction of surprise or amusement," then it can be used across all platforms. On Instagram, for example, you can respond to a post with "this photo is sending me." Or you can hop over to Twitter, see a laughable tweet, and tweet back, "this tweet is sending me."

Since it can be conjugated, you have even more options. Grandma posts something funny about Grandpa on Facebook? "OMG. That sent me." Your BFF sends you an embarrassing photo? "LOL. That totally sent me." When you do this, if you're not a Gen Zer, you suddenly feel just as cool as them. And who doesn't want to feel hip? Wait. Is "hip" still a thing?

When all is said and done, each generation will have left something behind that, hopefully, will transcend time and stick around years after the fact. If not, one can at least hope that those things will be remembered. Like Gen X will be remembered for having "trouble making decisions... [and having] few heroes, no anthems, no style to call their own," according to a 1990 Time cover story. But, on the flip side, they get to claim Jordan Catalano as their own, or as Millennials and Gen Z know him: Jared Leto. So that's something.