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Here'south What All of Those Popular Slang Words Actually Mean

Get your handclapping backs ready.

Cassie Skoras

You'll exist hard-pressed to observe an entry for "yas" or "kiki" in the latest Merriam-Webster'south lexicon. Yep, popular slang words beloved past millennials like "binge-lookout" and "woo-woo" have been added to the definitive book of words, only what virtually the slang popping up in your DMs? Or terms that Gen-Z has made pop, like cheugy, and OK boomer?

With a lilliputian aid from the internet, not to mention Urban Dictionary, knowing the etymology of these terms will ensure you "slay" your next conversation—and avoid cultural cribbing. It's important to know where these slang terms come up from so you can exist mindful when you employ them. You'll run across what we mean soon.

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Flex

Are you feeling fabulous about yourself? Or have yous created something you're proud of? Now is your fourth dimension to flex. Instead of flexing a musculus, you're showing off your accomplishments. "Flex" originated in Black civilization in the '90s, according to Dictionary.com, and is frequently used in rap songs. Ice Cube was the showtime rapper to incorporate it in a vocal, with 1992'south "Information technology Was a Bye."

The term took on new pregnant in 2014 thanks to the Rae Sremmurd song "No Flex Zone," which described a place where you don't feel compelled to "flex," simply rather feel comfortable to simply be yourself. Related to this term is the phrase "weird flex but OK," used as a response to a brag that's considered strange.

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Cheugy

Cheugy, pronounced "chew-gee," got its own write-upwardly in the New York Times. The Gen-Z term, which gained popularity on TikTok, describes anything that's considered uncool, untrendy, or people who deliberately stick to "older" trends. The term was coined by 23-year-old Gaby Rasson and was used among her friend grouping before it became widely known. A few things that are considered cheugy by the originators? Anything emblazoned with the word "girlboss;" wooden signs with inspirational quotes; Friends or The Function merch, or UGG boots.

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OK Boomer

Generational tension is eternal and universal. "OK Boomer" is a term built-in of that tension. According to Vox, the primeval apply of the phrase dates back to a 2015 thread on 4chan, just it gained popularity on TikTok in 2020. Virtually frequently deployed as a meme, the term points to differing values between Gen Z and Babe Boomers. Information technology essentially boils down to: "I disagree with you lot, but I can't be bothered to argue. Keep your opinions." The term "OK boomer" is, in brusque, both an expression of frustration and a way to end an statement.

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Ghosted

Say you lot went on a date with someone you met online. You thought things were going well—and then they never responded. Unfortunately, you've been ghosted. This term emerged from the online dating mural, and describes a romantic partner who withdraws all of a sudden, back into anonymity (like a ghost). Ghosting is rejection without any physical explanation as to why you lot're beingness rejected. The term became commonplace during the rise of online dating, to the bespeak where it got its own New York Times explainer in 2015. Today, the phenomenon is so ubiquitous it even inspired a thriller of the same name.

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Loftier Key

High key is the opposite of low cardinal, another slang term with roots in the hip-hop customs. Depression cardinal is used when you lot want to go on something arctic. High key, on the other hand, elevates the significant of the judgement—yous say it when you want to be heard. For example, say you were James Bond in the centre of a moving-picture show, right when things were getting tense. You could say, "I am high key stressed correct now."

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Vibe

This term actually isn't new—according to Mirriam Webster, the beginning known use of "vibe" was 1967. Dictionary.com says that the association between "vibrations" and a source of positive energy goes back to 1983. In the '60s, the term "practiced vibes" was pop (as evidenced by the 1966 Beach Boys song "Good Vibrations").

The discussion "vibe," equally opposed to "vibes" or "vibrations," is used normally today. If we desire to get technical, "vibe" can be used as both a substantive and a verb. When it's a noun, "vibe" describes the distinct emotional impression of a place, gathering, or even a person. Information technology'southward the feeling y'all become later you lot leave, and you're reflecting (i.e. "that identify had a spectacular vibe" or "this room has a weird vibe"). When a verb, "vibe" means to kicking dorsum and hang out, or to go along (i.e. "she and I were vibing on our date").

Or, you can say, "It's a vibe," referring to the specific emotional atmosphere or sensation you lot find yourself in.

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Sus

You know when something (or someone) doesn't seem right, but yous tin can't quite identify why? That, friends, is "sus." This slang term is a shortening of "suspicious."

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Squad

Your besties. Your girls. Your buddies. Your squad. Whatever yous call your closest team of loved ones works. But "squad" is the term du jour to draw a friend group.

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Glow Up

"Glowing up" is like the upgraded version of "growing upwards." As you age, you only become more fabled. The staggering transformations associated with glow-ups are often accompanied by photographic prove.

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Tea

Tea is all about exchanging hot gossip. You tin can get tea, spill tea, and give tea. Ofttimes, the term is simply interchangeable with the letter "T." This slang term—like so many on this list—derives from '80s and '90s ball culture, which is where LGBTQ people performed in drag competitions to celebrate their queerness. John Berendt's 1999 Midnight in the Garden of Skilful and Evil is ofttimes cited for its early apply of the term also.

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Skrt

Every bit Urban Dictionary points out, this word is used to depict the sound tires brand when y'all stop unexpectedly. In chat, it'south a synonym for "terminate." If a friend is gossiping and you'd like them to revisit part of the story, for case, you can quickly interject with "skrt!"

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Damn, Gina

Use this phrase if you're either surprised by something or want to express approval. If someone finally earned their PhD, for case, you could say, "Damn, Gina. Look at you lot!" It's a throwback to Martin Lawrence's '90s sitcom Martin, in which he'd regularly utilize the phrase when addressing his wife Gina (Tisha Campbell-Martin).

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Shook

While the term became popularized in '90s hip-hop and R&B music, information technology'south technically old English language, the past tense of milkshake. To feel shook is to be shaken up by something, for ameliorate or worse. The 2017 clip of comedian Christine Sydelko saying "I am shooketh!" brought it into the mainstream.

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Salty

This has null to do with the ingredient. The actual definition of the word tin be used to draw something witty, racy, coarse, and humorous—and so folks use salty in relation to bitter beliefs. If someone is interim salty towards you, they are probable upset.

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Woke

If you've kept upwards with the latest political headlines and aren't afraid to take an stance confronting them, you're likely "woke." The term also originates in Blackness culture, and Erykah Badu's "Master Teacher" is believed to exist where it was uttered for the first time in the mainstream. Y'all might accept as well heard Congresswoman Barbara Lee apply it in 2017. "We accept a moral obligation to 'stay woke,' have a stand and be active," she said, which got her quoted in the dictionary.

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Mood

This picked up steam around 2015, when memes took off in the Net. Co-ordinate to the Daily Dot, mood specifically is derived from Black civilization and it's used next to a meme, video, or photograph to emphasize that something is relatable. This feel-good prune of Lisa and Bart Simpson dancing, for example, is a mood.

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Bye, Felicia

If you're tired of putting up with someone, tell them, "Goodbye, Felicia!" It'south a way of dismissing them or their request. In 1995'south Fri, Ice Cube used the term in a scene during which his character responds to Felicia's (Angela Means-Kaaya) unapproved request to borrow Smokey's (Chris Tucker) car.

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Receipts

It's all near accountability here. Asking someone to show yous the receipts substantially means y'all want proof. As Slate points out, the term is borrowed from Black culture.

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Shell

This slang term isn't equally aggressive as it sounds. "Beat out" can exist used as a verb or adjective, and it's all about beauty. To shell is to utilize makeup, and if someone is described as existence "beat," it means they either applied their makeup well, or just applied a lot of it. Used in a judgement as a verb: "I have to meet the parents tonight so I'thou going to beat my face up." Yous'll find examples of "beat" in the ball civilisation documentary Paris Is Burning.

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Kiki

A kiki is a party or festive gathering, though it tin can be used every bit a verb. To kiki, for instance, has a double meaning: either to gloat, or to share gossip. This is perfectly expressed in the Scissor Sisters music video for "Permit's Have a Kiki," and since it stems from ball culture, Paris Is Burning offers examples.

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No Cap

This is used to emphasize that a statement isn't a lie or hyperbole, then think of it as a synonym for the word seriously. Used in a judgement: Your Halloween costume is incredible, no cap.

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Swerve

While there are several definitions, to swerve is to avoid something, or steer clear of an unwanted situation. Similarly to other terms on this list, information technology'south been historically used in Black culture. And more than specifically, it was famously used in the song "Mercy" featuring Kanye W, Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz.

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On Fleek

This can be used every bit a replacement for "on point," meaning something has been immaculately executed. Specifically, a 2014 Vine video in which a woman describes her eyebrows as "on fleek" is what brought it into the mainstream. Today, information technology's used far across the context of eyebrows.

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TBH

This is an acronym for to be honest. Oft, information technology'south used for accent while albeit something almost yourself. An example? I really love Lady Gaga, tbh. Equally the Washington Post points out, teenagers using social media today helped brand it popular.

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Slaps

The proficient ol' lexicon often helps us better understand slang words today. Co-ordinate to Merriam-Webster, to slap is to "strike sharply with or as if with the open up manus," so the word is at present colloquially used to describe something—a song, your meal, new shoes, anything—that strikes you every bit good, that's impressive. Used in a sentence. This new recipe from Oprah's found-based diet slaps .

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Slay

Slay is to practise something uncommonly well. While Merriam-Webster defines it as, "to kill violently," and traces its etymology to the 12th century, the term every bit a grade of slang picked upwards steam in—surprise—'80s and '90s ball civilisation, where LGBTQ people of color used it to compliment someone's outfit or demeanor.

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Read

Used as a verb, a "read" is essentially an insult, and a catty way of calling out someone's flaws. The slang term derives from both the Black and LGBTQ communities, and is too regularly used in Paris Is Burning. Mariah Carey'due south "I don't know her" line virtually J.Lo is the ultimate read.

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Clock

No, this has nothing to do with time. As Merriam-Webster defines the verb, to clock is to "hit difficult." Therefore, if you lot clock, are clocking, or clocked, someone, you essentially strike them across the head with an insult. Information technology's similar to a "read," merely slightly more aggro. The slang version derives from brawl civilization, too.

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Realness

Once once again, in ball civilisation, drag queens participate in voguing competitions during which they're judged for how authentically they tin can emulate a graphic symbol'southward look. The more you mimic someone's demeanor, the closer you've gotten to achieving realness. Then if the thought is to look like a Wall Street banker, your goal is to serve (that is, deliver) "Executive Realness."

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Source: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/g23603568/slang-words-meaning/

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