Dot dot dot: How ellipses sparked a generational texting tussle between Gen Z & Boomers

The Gen-Z and Boomer lingo, especially on text, are starkly different. (Representational)

Generational divides often surface in the most unexpected ways. One such rift has emerged over the use of ellipses in text messages, a punctuation quirk predominantly attributed to Baby Boomers and older generations. Dubbed "boomer ellipses" by Gen Z, this seemingly innocuous habit has sparked a cultural clash between generations.

For many Baby Boomers, the ellipsis—a series of three dots (…)—serves as a versatile tool in digital conversations. It can indicate a pause, a trailing thought, or an invitation for the other person to continue the conversation. This use of ellipses mirrors how many in this generation might speak: with pauses and reflective breaks, allowing space for contemplation and response.

However, to Gen-Z and even some millennials, the ellipsis often conveys a different tone. In their digital vernacular, ellipses can come across as passive-aggressive, awkward, or even a sign of irritation.

The fluid and fast-paced nature of their communication style—dominated by quick exchanges and clear-cut punctuation—leaves little room for the ambiguous pause that ellipses represent.

The divide over ellipses is emblematic of broader generational differences in communication preferences. Baby Boomers grew up in an era where formal writing conventions were paramount, and this formality has seeped into their digital interactions.

On the other hand, Gen-Z, raised on the immediacy of text messages and social media, favours brevity and clarity. To them, the ellipsis can feel outdated and misinterpreted.

Social media platforms like X, TikTok and Reddit have become battlegrounds for this punctuation war. Young users share screenshots of texts from their parents or grandparents, dissecting the perceived subtext behind those trailing dots.

"People back in the day learnt to separate thoughts by using ellipses," a young person wrote on social media.

“I don’t understand; why do they need to use three dots to separate thoughts?” came a question from another teen.

While explanations are rife from the older generations, the newer ones may take a while to grasp it.