Social Media Slang

'Ate' is a slang term used to say that someone did something flawlessly or exceptionally well. It is a high compliment for a performance, an outfit, a task, or any other action. It's a more current and concise version of 'killed it' or 'nailed it'. For example, 'She ate that' means she performed perfectly. If someone leaves no room for improvement, you might say 'she left no crumbs.'

In modern internet slang, 'aura' refers to the distinct vibe, energy, or presence that a person, place, or thing gives off. While the word has spiritual origins, its slang usage is more about an intuitive feeling or impression. The concept has been heavily meme-ified, with users creating 'aura points' or describing the 'color' of someone's aura based on their actions, often humorously.

Based is a multifaceted term that originally meant being oneself without caring about others' opinions. It signifies authenticity and confidence. In modern usage, it's often used to express agreement with a bold or controversial opinion, essentially meaning 'I agree' or 'that's a valid, brave point.' The term's meaning can be highly contextual and has been used by various online subcultures.

A 'beige flag' is a term used in dating to describe a peculiar, weird, or quirky trait in a partner that is not inherently good or bad. Unlike a red flag (a deal-breaker) or a green flag (a clear positive), a beige flag is something that just makes you pause and go 'huh... that's odd.' It's a neutral, and sometimes amusing, quirk that adds to a person's unique character.

A 'bop' is a slang term for a really good song, especially one that is catchy and makes you want to dance. It's a simple, enthusiastic compliment for a piece of music. It can also be used as a verb, 'to bop,' meaning to dance or nod your head to the music.

'Boy math' is a viral internet trend and the humorous counterpart to 'girl math.' It describes a specific type of flawed or hypocritical logic, often stereotypically attributed to men. Examples of 'boy math' include things like measuring height inaccurately, misunderstanding women's expenses while spending lavishly on their own hobbies, or having contradictory dating standards.

Bussin' is a slang adjective used to describe something that is exceptionally good, especially food. If food is 'bussin',' it means it's incredibly delicious and flavorful. While most commonly used for food, it can be applied to other things like music or outfits to mean they are excellent.

'Cap' is slang for a lie, falsehood, or exaggeration. It can be used as a noun to label a statement as untrue. The verb form, 'to cap' or 'capping,' means to lie.

'Cap' is slang for a lie or an exaggeration. To 'cap' is to lie. Conversely, 'No Cap' is used to emphasize that you are telling the truth or being completely serious about something. It's a way of saying 'for real' or 'no joke.' The phrase is often used at the end of a statement to add a layer of authenticity.

'Cheugy' (pronounced choo-gee) is a slang adjective used to describe something—typically aesthetics, trends, or behaviors—that is considered outdated, out of style, or trying too hard to be trendy. It's often associated with millennial trends that are no longer in fashion, like certain home decor signs ('Live, Laugh, Love'), clothing styles, or types of social media posts.

In the context of social media and internet culture, 'clout' refers to a person's level of fame, influence, and social standing. Having clout means being popular and respected within a certain online community. A 'clout chaser' is someone who tries to associate with famous people or create drama purely to gain more clout for themselves.

Cringe describes something that is so awkward, embarrassing, or out of touch that it makes you feel secondhand embarrassment. It's the feeling of vicarious discomfort you get from watching someone else's awkward moment. It can be used as both an adjective ('That was so cringe') and a verb ('I cringed so hard').

'Delulu' is a playful, shortened version of the word 'delusional.' It's used to describe someone who has unrealistic, far-fetched beliefs or hopes, particularly in the context of celebrity crushes or romantic fantasies. While it can be used to poke fun at someone's irrational thinking, it's often used in a self-deprecating and humorous way. The phrase 'delulu is the solulu' (delusion is the solution) suggests that embracing a little delusion can be a fun coping mechanism.

'Doomscrolling' (or 'doomsurfing') is the act of spending an excessive amount of time on a smartphone or computer absorbing a large quantity of negative, depressing, or scary news. The user often feels a compulsion to keep scrolling and reading, even though the content is making them feel sad, anxious, or angry.

'Down bad' has two main meanings. The most common modern usage is to describe a state of being desperately horny or infatuated with someone, often to an embarrassing or shameless degree. The second, more traditional meaning is to be in a state of extreme sadness, depression, or misfortune.

Drip refers to a person's impeccable sense of style, particularly when it comes to fashion, accessories, and overall confidence. It describes an outfit or look that is extremely cool, fashionable, and put-together. It conveys a sense of effortless swagger.

In modern slang, an 'era' refers to a specific phase or mindset a person is currently in. It's used to humorously or dramatically frame a period of their life defined by a particular mood, interest, or type of behavior. For example, being in one's 'villain era' means prioritizing one's own needs and setting boundaries, even if it makes them seem like the 'bad guy' to others.

A 'finsta' is a second, more private Instagram account that a user maintains in addition to their main, public account (their 'rinsta,' or real Insta). The finsta is typically reserved for a small, trusted group of close friends and is used for posting more candid, uncurated, and often humorous or personal content that wouldn't be appropriate for their polished main feed.

To 'flex' means to show off one's accomplishments, possessions, or abilities in a proud or boastful way. It can refer to tangible things like money and expensive items, or intangible things like skills or achievements. While it can be seen as arrogant, it's often used in a playful or humorous manner.

FOMO is a form of social anxiety describing the feeling that you might miss out on exciting events, experiences, or opportunities that others are having. It is often exacerbated by seeing posts on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where people share highlights of their lives. It drives a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing.

'Girl math' is a viral internet trend and humorous concept that describes a specific type of flawed, but internally consistent, logic used to justify spending money. It involves a series of mental gymnastics to rationalize purchases, such as considering anything paid for with cash as 'free,' calculating the cost of an item on a 'cost-per-wear' basis, or viewing a refund as 'new money.'

'Glazing' is a slang term for the act of hyping someone up, complimenting them excessively, or defending them obsequiously. It implies a level of sycophantic behavior, similar to 'riding' or 'dickriding.' It's often used to criticize someone for being an over-the-top fanboy or fangirl of a celebrity, streamer, or even a friend.

A 'glow up' refers to a major and impressive transformation, usually in terms of appearance, confidence, or success. It often implies a journey from an awkward or less refined state to a more mature, attractive, and self-assured one. It can be physical, mental, or emotional.

GOAT is an acronym used to praise someone who is the absolute best in their field, typically in sports, music, or other areas of performance. Calling someone the GOAT is the highest form of compliment, implying they are not just great now, but better than anyone who has ever come before them.

To be a 'Heather' is to be a person who is effortlessly beautiful, kind, and universally desired. The term is used to describe someone who everyone wants to be, or be with. It represents an idealized, almost unattainable standard of perfection. It is almost always used as a compliment or an expression of admiration.

IJBOL is an acronym for 'I Just Burst Out Laughing.' It is a modern, Gen Z alternative to older internet laughter acronyms like LOL or LMAO. It describes a sudden, genuine, and explosive laugh, as opposed to a more gentle or forced chuckle. It conveys a more authentic and physical reaction to humor.

'It's giving' is a phrase used to describe the vibe, aura, or impression that something or someone is exuding. It's a versatile phrase that is usually followed by the specific vibe being referenced. It's a way of saying 'this reminds me of...' or 'this has the energy of...'.

'It's the ___ for me' is a phrasal template used to point out a specific detail about a person, object, or situation that stands out. The blank is filled with the detail in question. It can be used both positively (to highlight something you love) or negatively (to highlight something you find ridiculous or annoying).

IYKYK is an acronym that stands for 'If You Know, You Know.' It's used to reference a shared, niche experience, inside joke, or piece of knowledge that only a specific group of people will understand. It implies a sense of exclusivity and community among those 'in the know,' without having to explain the context to outsiders.

'L' is the shorthand for 'Loss' or 'Lose.' It is the direct opposite of 'W' (Win). It's used to label something as a failure, a bad thing, or a defeat. It can describe an outcome, an opinion, or an action. To 'take the L' means to accept one's defeat or failure in a given situation.

'Let them cook' is a slang phrase that means to let someone proceed with their action or idea without interference, even if it seems strange or unconventional. It implies that you should have patience and trust that the person knows what they're doing and will produce a good result in the end. It's a call to not be judgmental and to wait for the final outcome.

When something is 'living rent free' in your head, it means you can't stop thinking about it. It describes a persistent thought, memory, song, or person that occupies your mind constantly. It can be used for both positive and negative obsessions.

'Main character' refers to a person who is, or acts like they are, the protagonist of a story. To have 'main character energy' is to be confident, charismatic, and live your life in a cinematic way. However, it can also be used negatively to describe someone who is self-absorbed and acts as if everyone else is just a supporting character in their life.

Mid is a derogatory or dismissive term used to describe something as merely average, mediocre, or of low quality. It's often used to express disappointment or a lack of enthusiasm for something that was expected to be better. It implies that something is unexceptional and not worth the hype.

'No Cap' is a phrase used to emphasize the truthfulness and authenticity of a statement. It's a way of saying 'no lie,' 'for real,' or 'I'm being completely serious.' It's often added to the end of a sentence to underscore its sincerity.

OOMF is an acronym for 'One Of My Followers.' It is primarily used on social media platforms like Twitter to talk about one of your followers without revealing their identity. It's a way to subtweet or vaguely refer to someone within your own social circle online, whether to praise them, critique them, or share a story about them.

'Periodt' is a more emphatic and sassy version of 'period.' It's used at the end of a sentence to signal that the point being made is final, non-negotiable, and the discussion is over. The 't' at the end adds a final, sharp sound that mimics a definitive stop. It adds a tone of finality and attitude.

A 'pick me' is a pejorative term for someone (often a woman, in the case of a 'pick me girl') who claims or acts as if they are 'not like others' to gain validation from an opposing group. This often involves putting down members of their own group. For example, a 'pick me girl' might try to appeal to men by claiming she's 'one of the guys' and criticizing other women for being too 'dramatic' or 'basic'.

POV is an acronym for 'Point of View.' In internet culture, especially on TikTok and in memes, it's used as a caption to frame a video or image as if the viewer is experiencing a specific situation firsthand. It sets the scene and tells the audience what perspective they should be adopting.

'Ratio' (or 'to be ratioed') is a phenomenon on social media, especially Twitter, where a reply to a post receives significantly more likes and retweets than the original post itself. This is seen as a definitive and public takedown of the original post, indicating that the community overwhelmingly agrees with the reply and disapproves of the original take. Sometimes users will simply reply 'ratio' to a bad take, as a challenge to the community to make it happen.

Rizz is modern slang for skill in charming or seducing a potential romantic partner. It is a shortened form of 'charisma.' It can be used as a noun to describe a person's natural charm ('He has a lot of rizz') or as a verb ('He rizzed her up'). The term describes a person's ability to flirt and attract others effortlessly.

A 'rizzler' is a person who is exceptionally skilled at 'rizzing' people up—that is, they have a lot of 'rizz,' or charisma. It's a noun used to describe a smooth, charming, and successful flirt. The term is often used humorously and can be associated with over-the-top, almost cartoonish levels of charm.

Simp is a derogatory term for someone (usually a man) who is seen as being overly submissive or attentive to someone else (usually a woman) in hopes of winning their affection or attention, often without reciprocation. It implies that the person is doing 'too much' and sacrificing their own dignity. The term is controversial and often criticized for its potentially misogynistic undertones.

'Simping' is the verb form of the slang term 'simp.' It describes the action of being overly eager, attentive, or submissive to someone, usually a romantic interest, in a desperate attempt to win their affection or approval. It implies that the person is doing 'too much' and that their efforts are cringe-worthy or undignified.

In modern slang, 'slay' means to do an outstanding job, succeed impressively, or look amazing. It is a strong term of praise and empowerment, often used to compliment someone's performance, appearance, or confidence.

A 'stan' is an extremely zealous and devoted fan of a celebrity, musician, or public figure. The term can be used as a noun ('I'm a huge stan of her work') or a verb ('We stan a confident queen'). While it can simply mean being a big fan, it often carries the connotation of being overly obsessive, to the point of being stalker-like, though it is usually used in a more lighthearted, hyperbolic way.

'The Ick' is a term used in dating to describe a sudden, visceral feeling of cringe or repulsion towards a person you were previously attracted to. It's often triggered by a small, specific, and sometimes irrational turn-off (like the way they run for a bus or chew their food). Once you get 'The Ick,' the romantic attraction often vanishes and is very difficult, if not impossible, to get back.

In slang, 'thirsty' is a derogatory term for someone who is overly eager or desperate, usually for attention, compliments, or romantic validation online. It implies a sense of shamelessness in seeking validation from others, often through 'thirsty' posts (like suggestive selfies) or by aggressively trying to get someone's attention.

'Understood the assignment' is a phrase of high praise for someone who has perfectly fulfilled and even exceeded the expectations of a task, role, or situation. It implies that they not only did what was required but also captured the exact tone, style, and spirit needed for success. It's often used for fashion, performances, or clever social media posts.

In internet slang, 'unserious' is an adjective used to describe a person, situation, or piece of content that is endearingly silly, goofy, or absurd. It's often used in a positive or affectionate way to point out behavior that is playful and not meant to be taken seriously. It highlights a lack of gravity or formality.

'W' is a shorthand for 'Win.' It is used to label something as a success, a good thing, or a victory. It can describe a person, an action, an opinion, or an outcome. It is a quick and common way to express approval and positivity.

W and L are abbreviations for 'Win' and 'Loss.' They are used to quickly label an outcome, opinion, or person as being good (a win) or bad (a loss). A 'W' signifies a success, a good decision, or a praiseworthy thing. An 'L' signifies a failure, a bad take, or something embarrassing.

Yeet is a versatile exclamation that can be used as a verb to mean throwing something, typically with high velocity and a lack of concern for the object being thrown. It can also be used as a general expression of excitement, approval, or surprise. Its meaning is heavily dependent on context.