'I know ball': What does the latest Gen Z slang mean, and do you 'know ball?'

(NEXSTAR) – If you spend time around children, especially those in their preteen and teenage years, you’ve likely been exposed to any number of slang terms, from “Skibidi toilet” to “6-7.”

Just like the slang of your youth, the terms seemingly have no meaning to adults but are routinely used by the youngest among us. Unless, perhaps, you know ball when it comes to slang. 

“I know ball” appears to be the latest phrase to prompt questions, with Google searches about the lingo reaching their peak over the last month. 

So what does it mean?

Unlike the complexity of “6-7” and its newest companion, “sendy,” the phrase “I know ball” – or its alternatives, “you know ball” and “they know ball,” for example – is relatively simple. 

At its core, “knowing ball” can translate to quite literally understanding ball sports like football, baseball, or basketball. Taylor Swift made a similar statement in her song, “So High School,” saying in greater words, “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle.”

You could use “I know ball” to describe either your knowledge of a sport or your skills at said sport. Swift, for example, may understand football, but likely couldn’t play in place of fiancée and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She could, however, describe herself as "knowing ball" when it comes to philosophy.

“Knowing ball” can apply outside of sports, of course. The trend on TikTok, according to The Tab, has garnered videos of people describing what they have knowledge or expertise with, defining themselves as “knowing ball:” gaming skills, bed rotting, art history, or quite literally any topic, interest area, and even living with afflictions like IBS or diabetes.

Your barber could say they “know ball” if they’re able to give you the “broccoli” haircut that teenage boys made popular last year. Your friend that loves to travel may “know ball” if they can explain “shoulder season.” You may even say you “know ball” if you can identify these common acronyms, play padel, or any number of other skills. 

Admittedly, “I know ball” may not rank among the most complex of the Gen Z slang, but it may be one of a few you can use around the water cooler without feeling “delulu” (shorthand for delusional, of course).