Word list · 54 words
Text slang and abbreviations
Text slang is the shorthand of messages: letters standing for whole phrases, words clipped to save thumbs, and tone markers that do the job a voice would do out loud. The same few letters can mean different things in different chats, so each entry gives the common meaning first and the other readings after.
Every word here carries a dated status note, our own editorial call on whether it is rising, mainstream, fading or dead, because slang ages fast and a meaning that was right two years ago can now sound like a parent trying too hard.
Kept on this device only, for the daily recall in My words.
The words
67
67, said "six seven" and never "sixty-seven", is Gen Alpha slang with no fixed meaning.
Text & Internet Slang
Ate
In slang, "ate" (as in "she ate" or "you ate that") means someone performed or looked brilliant.
Text & Internet Slang
Aura
In slang, "aura" is a person's coolness or presence: the effortless, slightly mysterious charisma others notice.
Text & Internet Slang
Bet
In slang, "bet" means "OK", "deal" or "I'm in": a quick, upbeat way to agree to a plan.
Text & Internet Slang
Bussin
Bussin means extremely good, especially about food: "this pizza is bussin".
Text & Internet Slang
Canon Event
A "canon event" is an unpleasant but unavoidable experience that shapes who you become: the bad haircut, the first heartbreak, the embarrassing phase.
Internet & Digital Culture
Cooked
In slang, "cooked" means doomed, finished or in serious trouble: "the exam's in an hour and I haven't revised, I'm cooked".
Text & Internet Slang
Crash Out
To "crash out" is to lose your temper or composure and react recklessly: to snap.
Text & Internet Slang
Glow Up
A "glow up" is a positive personal transformation, often in appearance and style, but also in confidence and maturity.
Text & Internet Slang
Hits Different
When something "hits different", it affects you more strongly or in a new way than usual, often because of the moment: "music hits different at 2am".
Text & Internet Slang
IRL
IRL stands for "in real life", meaning offline and face to face, as opposed to online or in a game.
Internet & Digital Culture
It's Giving
"It's giving" describes the energy, vibe or impression something gives off: "it's giving main character".
Text & Internet Slang
Lowkey
In slang, "lowkey" means "kind of", "somewhat" or "secretly": it turns a statement down a notch, as in "I lowkey want to stay in tonight".
Text & Internet Slang
Mid
In slang, "mid" means mediocre: average at best, and usually less good than people claim.
Text & Internet Slang
NPC
NPC stands for "non-player character", a character in a video game controlled by the computer.
Internet & Digital Culture
Ong
Ong is short for "on God", an oath used to swear that you're telling the truth or that you really mean something.
Text & Internet Slang
Periodt
Periodt is an emphatic form of "period!" (full stop!), used at the end of a statement to say there's nothing more to discuss.
Text & Internet Slang
Ratio
On social media, a "ratio" is when a post gets far more replies (or a reply gets far more likes) than the original, usually a sign that people disagree with it.
Internet & Digital Culture
Receipts
In slang, "receipts" means proof or evidence, usually screenshots, photos or videos, used to back up a claim or catch someone out: "show me the receipts".
Text & Internet Slang
Rent Free
Something that "lives rent free in your head" is something you can't stop thinking about.
Text & Internet Slang
Salty
In slang, "salty" means irritated, bitter or resentful, especially after losing or feeling slighted: "he's still salty about the quiz".
Text & Internet Slang
Say Less
"Say less" means "I understand, I'm in, you don't need to say any more".
Text & Internet Slang
Simp
A "simp" is someone seen as overly attentive or eager to please a person they're attracted to, usually in a way others find embarrassing.
Text & Internet Slang
Slaps
If something "slaps", it's excellent, most often a song: "this track slaps".
Text & Internet Slang
Slay
In slang, "slay" means to do something brilliantly or look amazing, as in "you slayed that presentation".
Text & Internet Slang
Sus
Sus is short for "suspicious" or "suspect": questionable, shady, not quite right.
Text & Internet Slang
Understood the Assignment
To have "understood the assignment" means to have done exactly what the moment called for, and done it brilliantly: the perfect outfit for the theme, the ideal performance in the role.
Text & Internet Slang
Yapping
"Yapping" means talking a lot, usually about not much, or talking nonsense.
Text & Internet Slang