Only just getting the hang of last year’s slang? Well too late, forget it. A whole new host of (somewhat nonsensical) terms have landed and it’s time to add them to your linguistic arsenal.
With TikTok’s continued reign over our society, the app has begun to dictate a lot of the slang that ends up in our daily rotation. Although not all these terms and phrases are brand new, they’re certainly popping up everywhere – and will likely continue to do so in the year ahead. I’ve (once again) taken it upon myself to compile this new lingo into a handy list for your reading (and learning) pleasure.
1. Cheugy
This word (pronounced choo-gee) has swooped in to replace old fan-favorite “basic”. It refers to the painfully mainstream or, along the same vein, someone hanging onto things that were cool years ago but would now be deemed basic or “cheugy”.
2. Rent free
Can’t stop thinking about someone? Sounds like they’re living rent free in your mind. This is most often used when you can’t get something out of your brain – whether it’s a song, video, experience or person. They’re stuck in there and they’re not even paying rent for the space they’re occupying.
3. Vibe check
Is someone acting shady or negative? Sounds like they didn’t pass the vibe check. This describes when you check in on someone’s vibe and assess what it’s giving. Good vibes? You’ve passed the vibe check.
4. Main character
This one is fairly self-explanatory. When you call someone the main character, they’re basically the core person in a situation. For example, in a video where someone seems to really stand out or is especially well dressed, funny, etc. you can identify them as the “main character” or as having “main character energy”.
5. Caught in 4k
Caught someone red-handed and have the receipts to prove it? You’ve caught them in 4k with solid, digital evidence. Another popular phrase on TikTok, it can often be accompanied by the camera emoji to really bring home the fact that you’ve been exposed.
6. Understood the assignment
You can use this for someone that is really killing it in some (or any) aspect of their lives. They’re giving it their all and doing an amazing job. Whether it’s related to something they’re doing, wearing, etc. they really understood the assignment.
7. Bussin’
You can use this when something is really, really good – often relating to food. If you’re eating a really great meal you could say, “This food is bussin’”. Want to add some extra emphasis? Just double up: “Wow this pizza is really bussin’ bussin’”.
8. The blueprint
This describes when someone is so perfect, or did so well at something, that they are deemed the original (comparable to “OG”). They are the blueprint, an icon, a legend. They did it first and the rest simply followed in their exemplary footsteps.
9. Ate that
This essentially refers to someone doing a great job. For example if someone is performing a very impressive dance, when they’re done, you might turn to your friend and say “they ate that”. It can also be abbreviated to “they ate” or even “left no crumbs” (since, as we established, they ate it all).
10. Sending me
You know when someone responds “I’m screaming” or “I literally can’t” when they burst out laughing? You can use “this is sending me” in the same way. If you watched a video you found hilarious, you could say “that sent me”. You can even spice it up by elaborating a little further, for example “that sent me into orbit” (aka it sent you so far, you ended up in space).
So there you have it, go forth and express yourself. And, since it’s the season for nostalgia, here’s slang from 2021, 2020 and from 2019 if you feel like taking a trip down memory lane.
FAQs
Rizz is short for “charisma,” and it simply means an ability to charm and woo a person. It's pronounced, well, rizz, just like it's spelled.
What are Gen Z slang? ›
Teen Slang: Decoding Gen Z. As a parent, you've probably overheard some slang from your kid. They may say things like, “I'm amped about my drip today,” or, “He's got rizz. Giving off major BDE.” Maybe they've said something like, “No cap, this sandwich is bussin',” or, “Spill the tea, sis!”
What does they ate and left no crumbs mean? ›
This essentially refers to someone doing a great job. For example if someone is performing a very impressive dance, when they're done, you might turn to your friend and say “they ate that”. It can also be abbreviated to “they ate” or even “left no crumbs” (since, as we established, they ate it all).
What does YEET mean in 2022? ›
ˈyēt. slang. used to express surprise, approval, or excited enthusiasm.
What do Millennials say instead of cool? ›
Calling someone “dank” is the equivalent of calling them cool or great. 15. Dead - When someone has laughed so hard they can't laugh anymore they're “dead.” The term is often seen in response to memes or other phrases.
Who is the rizz God? ›
A rizz god is someone with an overwhelming amount of game (or rizz): they can attract anyone they want just by saying the right things and giving the right vibe. The word "rizz" was coined by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat; it's short for "charisma."
What does W stand for? ›
Throw a “W” in the chat to celebrate a win over text or online. Reply to someone's text with “W” or leave a “W” comment on a tweet or TikTok video to congratulate others. Post “W” by itself to use it as an exclamation (“Winning!”) or use it as part of a full sentence (“The Bears take the W!”).
Is rizz only for boys? ›
Rizz meaning
And though “rizz” started out as a slang word used by men about their success in courting women, it's since come to be used as a genderless descriptor for anyone with noticeably cool, attractive qualities.
What does a opp mean? ›
Opp (Opponent or Opposition)
"Opp" is a slang abbreviation of the word "opponent" or "enemy." It is commonly used to refer to someone who is viewed as an adversary or someone with whom one has a conflict or disagreement.
What is a drip slang? ›
Drip [drɪp]
Something that is a drip, drippin', or drippy is very cool, awesome and stylish. It's usually used for clothing and accessories like shoes, watches, and jewelry. For example: “Did you see her new dress? She is really drippin' tonight.”
Some of the most popular general slang in 2024 include:
Snatched, which means something that looks perfect or fashionable. Mood, a word now used to signify agreement. Extra, which means over-the-top, or extreme.
What is a drip in kid slang? ›
Drip = Refers to a really cool outfit or item of clothing. Finna = A contraction of “fixing to”, meaning “going to (do something)." Say less = A way of saying “I understand.” Weird flex but ok = A sassy or sarcastic response to someone showing off or bragging online.
What does she ate mean? ›
She/he/they ate is a slang term often used in the context of fashion, music, or performance, but can be used in a variety of other contexts as well. The phrase "she ate" means doing it with style. When someone “eats” it means they've done something impressively.
What does no capping mean? ›
"No cap" means "no lie" or "for real", according to Dictionary.com. "Cap" is another word for lie, so "no cap" emphasizes when someone is being truthful. If someone is "capping," they are lying. The phrase is rooted in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), or Black speech separate from standard English.
What is the most popular slang? ›
Top 10 American Slang Words in 2024
- Bussin' ...
- Drip. ...
- Extra. ...
- Rent-free. Adverb - To become an obsession, to dominate someone's thoughts. ...
- Salty. Adverb - To overreact. ...
- Shook. Adjective - Stunned, shocked. ...
- Vibe check. Verb - To make sure someone is having a good time. ...
- Woke. Adjective - Socially conscious, culturally aware.
"You're the GOAT." Meaning good, cool, fashionable, or excellent. Used to express approval or satisfaction for something.
What is current slang for cool? ›
Dope - Cool or awesome. Extra - Over-the-top, extreme. Fit - Short for outfit. Fire - Hot, trendy, amazing, or on point (formerly "straight fire")
What is a top slang? ›
A top is someone who prefers to be the person in control during sex. Tops generally prefer to take a more active role in sex by acting as the person who penetrates, gives oral sex, or does other sexual acts. For people with penises, this can mean wanting to be the person penetrating rather than receiving.
