LoSt generation In general, it refers to the post-World War I generation, but specifically a group of the U.s. writers who came of age during the war and established their literary reputations in the 1920S. The term stems from a remark made by gertrude Stein to Ernest Hemingway--You are all a lost generation ★ 卫 nest HemingwayIn general, it refers to the post-World War I generation, but specifically a group of the U.S. writers who came of age during the war and established their literary reputations in the 1920s. The term stems from a remark made by Gertrude Stein to Ernest Hemingway — “You are all a lost generation.” Lost Generation