Welcome to the vibrant and ever-changing landscape of American slang! It’s an eclectic mix of words and phrases that may leave newcomers confused trying to decode their meanings. Want to unlock the secret? Let’s check out some of the more bizarre and mind-boggling expressions of American slang!
Bae
Starting with an affectionate term: “Bae.” The acronym stands for “before anyone else.” It’s a way to refer to someone you love or are infatuated with in an adorable way. Example: “She is my bae; we are glued at the hip.” Cute, right?
Lit
When something is described as “lit,” it means that it is filled with excitement and energy. It’s all about celebrating great events or experiences. For example: “That concert last night? It was totally lit!”
FOMO
The dreaded “fear of missing out” often hits us the hardest when everyone around us (or collectively via social media) appears to be having fun without us. When looking through your social media feed gives you a feeling of wanting to be there or missing out, that is the fear of missing out.
Savage
“Savage” combines being bold and bold like no other. It is used to compliment epic moves or a sharp comeback. Example: “That was savage… No one knew that was coming!”
Sick
In slang, “sick” takes the opposite meaning, and is used for something spectacularly cool. You see some nasty kicks and say, “Those are sick!”
Throw Shade
In a slightly sassy mood? To “throw shade” means to make a somewhat subtle dig, or insult, toward someone. It’s all about being pointed without being flat-out mean. For example, “She is always throwing shade during meetings.”
Hangry
When hunger turns you into a grump, you’re officially “hangry.” The perfect word for those “feed me now” moments: “Let’s grab food—I’m getting hangry.”
On Fleek
“On fleek” refers to looking impeccable or getting something exactly right. For example, you would compliment a killer outfit or hairstyle by saying: ‘Your look is on fleek today!’
Chill
If you are trying to calm a situation down at all, just tell someone to chill. This word comes in handy for taking it easy or relaxing. ‘Hey, no need to stress, just chill!’
Woke
To be “woke” is to be educated and conscious of social and political matters. It’s a call to awareness and involvement: “She’s been woke and active in social activism for some time.”
Bless Your Heart
This Southern classic can be sweet, funny, or just plain mean — it all depends on how you say it. Did someone get coffee on their shirt? “Oh, bless your heart!”
Dope
If something is “dope,” it’s next level awesome. Whether it’s music or a new touchscreen gadget, “dope” is typically the word of choice when something is impressive enough to be the go-to word. “This new album is dope!”
Dibs
Identifying “dibs” is a fun way to claim something. “I call dibs!” can be used in a variety of situations, such as to save the last slice of pizza or to stake a claim at the front of the concert.
Snap
The term “snap” can refer to either losing your temper, or suddenly realizing something, such as “She snapped when saw the mess” or “I just snapped to the answer!”
Spill the Tea
Do you have juicy gossip? Then you can “spill the tea.” This expression invites you to share juicy secrets and happenings over the phone or chat or in between classes.
Ghosting
“Ghosting” refers to the phenomenon when someone you have been communicating with simply disappears from all contact with no explanation. One day, they are texting you, and the next day? Puff! They have vanished.
Crash
Need a place to sleep at the last minute? To “crash” somewhere means to stay overnight in a very informal way. “Is it cool if I crash here tonight?”
YOLO
YOLO, which is an acronym for “You Only Live Once,” is meant to capture the adventurous spirit. Feeling adventurous? Say, “I signed up for a skydive—YOLO!”
Mood
If something resonates deeply with you and your exact feelings, it’s called a “mood.” A funny meme? An adorable puppy? It’s okay to just say, “Big mood right now.”
17 Common Words with Offensive Origins
From racial origins to classist slurs, these words did not stand the test of time—and nobody knows. Prepare to side-eye your vocabulary and say, “Wait… WHAT did I just say?”
17 Common Words with Offensive Origins
Things Americans Think Are Normal But the Rest of the World Finds Strange
America is a fascinating land of cultural quirks that often leave the rest of the world scratching their heads. Here are some uniquely American practices that might seem perfectly normal to locals but raise eyebrows abroad.
Things Americans Think Are Normal But the Rest of the World Finds Strange