Emily Wax

Six months after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Emily Wax documented a special strain of slang based on language emanating from the disaster. This "terror humor" is a contemporary example of the way youth cultures can absorb current events and quickly create their own responses to them. Whether such uninhibited joking ends up easing tension during a crisis or whether it serves to aggravate explosive emotions, teenagers tend to lead the way when it comes to innovative lingo. Emily Wax is a Washington Post staff writer who often reports on education.

THEIR BEDROOMS ARE "GROUND ZERO." TRANSlation"
A total mess.
  A mean teacher? He's "such a terrorist."
  A student is disciplined? "It was total jihad."
  Petty concerns? "That's so Sept. 10."
  And out—of—style clothes? "Is that a...