Certified Expert: age, 17

Everyday Museum™ has a fun goal: let’s get a new word into the dictionary. I have a teenager and I’ve observed a very specific phenomenon, so naturally I named it.

This is “TEENSPLAINING”.

A flat backdrop. A mom in a red-and-white striped top, arms folded, wearing the calm face of someone who has paid bills before. A teen in an oversized red jacket, arms crossed, finger out, delivering “The Explanation” like it’s a court ruling.

Not arguing. Not debating. Presenting. With absolute certainty and about 25% knowledge. It’s the confidence-to-information ratio that makes it art.

We already have “mansplaining.” Useful word. But this is its younger cousin: same posture, new energy. The teen is running a press conference with faulty information. The mom isn’t confused. She’s just doing silent math on how much peace costs today.

Influence-wise, this sits in that clean, animated character lane, but the core move is classic caricature. One exaggerated gesture becomes a whole personality. Finger point. Chin tilt. The “I read half a headline, so I’m basically a professor” stance.

Mini art lesson: silhouette tells the story. Blur this image and you still know who’s “in charge” emotionally. Bigger shape, wider stance, forward gesture equals asserted authority. Closed posture, folded arms equals boundary. Artists use body language like a shortcut to plot. Fast. Funny. Uncomfortably accurate.

Fun fact for dinner: dictionaries don’t add words because they’re clever. They add them because people keep using them in public life and print, over and over, until the meaning is undeniable. So yes, the goal here is simple: get “teensplaining” into the group chat, the PTA meeting, the workplace Slack, and the holiday table. Widespread adoption first. Dictionary glory second.