People Are Just Realizing That Gen Z Has Completely Changed What 'First Base' Actually Means

Many people online are only now discovering that Generation Z has redefined what the term ‘first base’ actually means — and the change has left older generations stunned.

Gen Z has become known for flipping social norms on their head, whether it’s turning a meme into a movement or reinventing how people approach travel, dating, and relationships. And now, they’ve done it again — this time with the age-old “bases” of intimacy. What once had a clear, almost universal definition has now been completely rewritten by the younger crowd.

Most people who grew up in the early 2000s remember the term from college or high school conversations about dating. It often came up in teasing exchanges about “how far” someone had gone on a date. Back then, “first base” simply meant a kiss, while “second” and “third” were reserved for acts that were more physically intimate. But that understanding has changed dramatically.

Today, the phrase means something very different. According to many Gen Z users on social media, “first base” now refers to oral sex — a shift that has sparked plenty of online debate about how ideas around intimacy have evolved.

Sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight from Lovehoney says this shift isn’t shocking when you consider how Gen Z approaches sex and relationships. She explained that the younger generation sees intimacy in a more open and nuanced way compared to older generations.

She said (as per the Metro): "Many young people today tend to have a much more open, nuanced view of sex and pleasure – oral sex, for instance, is arguably seen as less intimate than it once was, and that's partly down to the influence of pop culture, porn, and how we discuss sex more freely online."

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"Traditionally, 'first base' was kissing, 'second' was touching above the waist, and so on, but younger generations don't always play by that rulebook anymore."

The expert went on to say: "These days, sex and intimacy aren't linear – there's less emphasis on ticking off the bases in order, and much more focus on what feels right in the moment."

Lucy Rowett, another certified sex coach, echoed similar thoughts in an article for The i Paper. She noted that younger generations are more progressive and accepting when it comes to sex and relationships. However, she also pointed out a growing sense of confusion among them, suggesting that many Gen Zers are still trying to understand where boundaries and comfort levels should lie in this new sexual landscape.

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The conversation around oral sex and first dates has even gained traction on Reddit, where several users have shared their experiences and opinions. One 24-year-old commenter explained that engaging in oral sex after a first date has become “normalized” among their peers, reflecting just how much dating culture has shifted in recent years.

Over on TikTok, creator @laura.lmkk added her voice to the discussion, saying it’s “normal” for Gen Z to become physically intimate — including oral sex — within hours of meeting someone new. Her comments have sparked both agreement and debate among viewers.

"Our generation thinks it's weird to bring flowers on the first date, but getting intimate on the first date is normal," she added, summing up how younger people today approach dating and intimacy very differently from those before them.