The Gen Z Vocabulary: What Does It Mean to Be "Mother"?

Contrary to popular belief, the term was born before Gen Z was.

Published on May 6, 2025

Generation Z, as creative as they are, is responsible for the invention and the resurgence of a long list of slang words. People from other generations constantly feel the need to catch up, although they probably already have a thick dictionary of the Gen Z vocabulary. Today, we spotlight one specific noun that the youth has turned into an adjective (and sometimes, even a verb): Mother.

We’ve all heard of "the mom friend"—they’re the one you can rely on or vent to. The mom friend is responsible, and they take care of everyone in the group. Similarly, someone who is mother is iconic; they serve as an inspiration for others because they excel in whatever they choose to do. The word is no longer reserved for the woman who brought you here, or for women in general. Anyone can be mother, and it’s been that way before the term became an internet sensation.

The Birth of "Mother"

The Black and Latino ballroom scene is to be credited for the slang’s origin. Though it’s challenging to point to an exact date of the term’s genesis, history names Crystal Labeija as the creator of the first house in the New York underground ballroom scene. She’s a Black, transgender woman and drag queen, who founded the House of LaBeija in response to the city’s racist drag pageant system in the 1960s. It was also the first to host benefits to increase awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic when the 1980s came.

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PHOTO: Royal House of Labeija.

As explained on their website, “In ballroom, a ‘house’ is a safe haven for queer people of color and a home with a family for those who don’t have one. As with any traditional home, it is structured with a Mother (the head/leader/financier of the house) and Children (younger members of the house).” The house continues to thrive in different parts of the world today.

Additionally, drag culture still carries the word’s new meaning, referring to mentors as mothers, all worthy of imitation and admiration. They teach the arts to new queens, bringing out their best, helping them shine, and making space for them to express themselves. To be mother is to not only be empowered, but to empower others, as well.

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PHOTOS: Royal House of Labeija

"Mother" As We Know It

Its resurgence in the 21st century could be due to the flourishing of the same communities and cultures in the media, from the dance musical Pose exploring the ball culture world in 1980s New York, to the reality competition RuPaul’s Drag Race bringing the art of drag into the mainstream. With high anticipation and many eyes on these shows, it was only a matter of time before the word permeated the virtual world. And who else is chronically online? Gen Z, of course.

Mother holds great significance to the LGBTQ+ community, and with reverence, the word transcends binaries and is used for anyone that is worth looking up to. Mother could be Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Marina Summers, Sassa Gurl, Dolly De Leon or even Dolly’s very good girl, Kathryn Bernardo. Mother is all-encompassing today; they nurture yet they still command respect. They inspire, and in true Gen Z fashion, they give us everything and they give us life!

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PHOTOS: Instagram/rupaulsdragrace

Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.