diff --git a/lib/shared/notif-utils.js b/lib/shared/notif-utils.js
--- a/lib/shared/notif-utils.js
+++ b/lib/shared/notif-utils.js
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
 
   const prefix = ET`${ET.user({ userInfo: creator })}`;
 
-  let body = `created a new ${threadNoun(threadType)}`;
+  let body = `created a new ${threadNoun(threadType, parentThreadInfo.id)}`;
   if (parentThreadInfo.name) {
     body = ET`${body} in ${parentThreadInfo.name}`;
   }
diff --git a/lib/shared/thread-utils.js b/lib/shared/thread-utils.js
--- a/lib/shared/thread-utils.js
+++ b/lib/shared/thread-utils.js
@@ -1105,9 +1105,14 @@
   `contribute to your unread count.\n\n` +
   `To move a chat over here, switch the “Background” option in its settings.`;
 
-function threadNoun(threadType: ThreadType): string {
+function threadNoun(threadType: ThreadType, parentThreadID: ?string): string {
   if (threadType === threadTypes.SIDEBAR) {
     return 'thread';
+  } else if (
+    threadType === threadTypes.COMMUNITY_SECRET_SUBTHREAD &&
+    parentThreadID === genesis.id
+  ) {
+    return 'chat';
   } else if (
     threadType === threadTypes.COMMUNITY_ROOT ||
     threadType === threadTypes.COMMUNITY_ANNOUNCEMENT_ROOT ||
diff --git a/lib/utils/entity-text.js b/lib/utils/entity-text.js
--- a/lib/utils/entity-text.js
+++ b/lib/utils/entity-text.js
@@ -253,7 +253,10 @@
   let { name } = entity;
   if (!name || entity.alwaysDisplayShortName) {
     const threadType = entity.threadType ?? threadTypes.PERSONAL;
-    const noun = entity.subchannel ? 'subchannel' : threadNoun(threadType);
+    const { parentThreadID } = entity;
+    const noun = entity.subchannel
+      ? 'subchannel'
+      : threadNoun(threadType, parentThreadID);
     if (entity.id === params?.threadID) {
       const prefixThisThreadNounWith =
         params?.prefixThisThreadNounWith === 'your' ? 'your' : 'this';