100 different shades of ‘shabab’

It is a very common word around here. Upon first hearing it, non-Saudis think they know what it means. Then it comes up in a different context and it needs another round of definition. You think you know now what it means. Finally, you hear it in a sentence of different context and it makes no sense. You give up trying to know what it means!
In any language, these words are confusing. By that, I mean the words that occur in many different contexts and mean so many things — the catchall words. To me, that’s one of the most annoying parts of any language. Look at English, and take “guys” for example. When I first encountered it, I knew “guy” meant man. That’s simple enough. Then the word started accumulating a lot of different definitions: It also works as a word to attract attention, as in “Hey guys, look!” when you want to draw people’s attention to something, e.g. a nice car passing in front of you. It also means “enough!” and can be used to break up an argument: “Guys, guys!” The meaning is immediately known. It could mean affection: A group of guys surprise a friend with a party, so he turns with an appreciative smile to them and says: “You guys!” Confusingly, it works in the same situation for both sexes.
“Shabab” is in the same jack-of-all-trades position. The primary meaning is “a group of young men”, and that’s what still the most common usage: “I didn’t see the guy I was supposed to meet in the coffee shop. There was just a bunch of shabab having coffee.” It also means a term of calling attention: “Shabab, shabab! Look at that strange looking building over there!” It can be used as a collective term for young people of a nation: A university professor might state that has hope in the shabab of the nation to reform society and push their country forward. Looking for a word to break up an argument? It also works here: “Shabab, shabab, enough arguing!” It is also a noun in proper Arabic meaning youngness: “You will not stay young forever, so you should take advantage of your shabab to improve yourself and learn new things”.
I hope that shed some light on this word. I do not, however, make any guarantee that the above will be the only permanent definitions!