Hey there, fellow digital nomads! Fasten your seatbelts, as we’re about to delve into a treasure trove of Internet slang terms that are, quite frankly, on fire.
Apologies for any cringe-worthy moments earlier. But if you’re still struggling, you’re not alone. There’s an ocean of Internet slang out there, and if you’re over 25 or not a regular online dweller, you might be in the dark. That’s why this page is dedicated to defining 40 of the most widespread online slang terms.
While these 40 terms are just the tip of the iceberg, the reality is that there are more Internet phrases and acronyms than anyone could ever count, many of which transcend the digital realm. Nonetheless, these 40 terms serve as an excellent starting point.
So, if you’re desperate to decode “the youth,” keep reading to expand your slang lexicon. And if you’re part of “the youth,” feel free to take a seat and watch me attempt to dismantle each term with my explanations.
This guide is divided into two sections. Many Internet slang terms are acronyms, so we’ll kick off with 20 of the most common. The second half will feature 20 non-acronym terms, which I’ll refer to as Internet phrases. For each term, I’ll provide the meaning and an example of its use in context.
Continue reading to uncover more. And if you’re keen on diving deeper into the digital world, particularly digital marketing, make sure to subscribe to our email newsletter, Revenue Weekly!
Most online slang takes the form of acronyms, often representing common words and phrases. However, they can be challenging to decipher if you’re unaware of the words they stand for.
To enhance your slang savvy, here are 20 of the most prevalent Internet acronyms!
Meaning: because
Example: “I’m gonna stay home today bc I’m not feeling great.”
Meaning: be right back
Example: “Brb, gonna go grab a snack.”
Meaning: by the way
Example: “Oh, btw, are we hanging out on Saturday?”
Meaning: direct message (can be a noun or a verb)
Examples: “I heard she slid into his DMs.”
“Don’t post it on social media, just DM me about it.”
Meaning: for your information
Example: “FYI, my car’s in the shop this week, so I can’t give you a ride.”
Meaning: got to go
Example: “Gtg, I’ll talk to you later.”
Meaning: in my opinion (or “in my honest opinion” for IMHO)
Examples: “IMO, yellow just isn’t an appealing color.”
“Pippin was the real hero of The Lord of the Rings, IMHO.”
Meaning: in real life
Example: “We’ve played a lot of games together online, but we’ve never met IRL.”
Meaning: if you know, you know (referring to experiences or jokes only shared by certain people)
Example: “Getting checked out of school early is the best feeling as a kid. #iykyk”
Meaning: let me know
Example: “No rush, just lmk whenever you make a decision.”
Meaning: no big deal
Example: “Do you want me to do that for you instead? Nah, it’s NBD.”
Meaning: not gonna lie
Example: “NGL, I didn’t really enjoy that book.”
Meaning: not safe for work (commonly indicating something inappropriate or graphic)
Example: “It’s a funny video, but it’s a little NSFW, so don’t watch it with your kids.”
Meaning: of course
Example: “I’ve heard the party wasn’t very fun, but ofc I don’t know since I wasn’t there.”
Meaning: original (can be a noun or an adjective)
Examples: “Most of the OG White House was burned down by the British.”
“I do like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, but Tobey Maguire will always be the OG.”
Meaning: original poster (referring to the person who begins a social media/forum thread)
Example: “OP, what did you mean by that last sentence in your post?”
Meaning: to be honest
Example: “I’m not really much of a cat person, TBH.”
Meaning: that feeling when (often used alongside images)
Example: “TFW you’re trying to dry off dishes with a towel that’s already wet…”
Meaning: too long; didn’t read (used to offer a short summary at the end of a long piece of text)
Example: “…and then I finally got home. TL;DR I missed three different flights on my way back from LA.”
Meaning: what do you mean
Example: “WDYM you thought *I* had the kids???”
Not all online slang terms are acronyms. For the second half of this list, we’ll explore 20 non-acronym Internet phrases that you might encounter. Unlike the acronyms, many of these terms are commonly used in spoken language, particularly among Gen Z.
Meaning: a lie (or “no lie,” for no cap)
Examples: “He said that? Nah, man, that’s cap, I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
“It’s literally the best song I’ve ever heard, no cap.”
Meaning: caught red-handed (often in reference to a photo or video)
Example: “He said he was home sick, but then we ran into him at the store. Bro got caught in 4K.”
Meaning: cringeworthy, embarrassing
Examples: “Thinking back on my high school self is so cringey.”
“Watching Matthew try to define all of these slang terms is super cringe.”
Meaning: overwhelmed with laughter (used in response to something extremely funny)
Example: “Dude, I’m dead. That’s so funny.”
Meaning: family (used to refer to literal family members, but also to friends)
Examples: “I can’t go next week, I’ll be on vacation with the fam.”
“[to friends] Hey fam, what’s up?”
Meaning: extremely good (often in reference to something like music or food)
Example: “Dude, the latest Paramore single is straight fire.”
Meaning: brag (often by showing off; can be a noun or a verb)
Examples: “He tried to show you his shoe collection? That’s a weird flex, but okay.”
“She’s really flexing on them with her history knowledge right now.”
Meaning: deliberately ignore, refuse to respond (usually through texts or social media)
Example: “I tried to text her, but she just ghosted me, so I gave up.”
Meaning: greatest of all time (technically an acronym, but spoken and written like the regular word)
Example: “You bought us all donuts??? Bro, you’re the goat.”
Meaning: good (usually in reference to how someone is doing)
Example: “Hey man, how’s it going? It’s all Gucci, how about you?”
Meaning: extremely, definitely (typically used to express strong feelings)
Example: “I highkey want to visit Europe when I can actually afford it.”
Meaning: kinda (or to indicate that something should be kept discreet)
Examples: “Pasta is lowkey the best kind of food.”
“Lowkey, I kinda wish Kelcey hadn’t come to this party.”
Meaning: loss (L) and win (W)
Examples: “Sorry, Caleb, but Sarah won that game. Just take the L.”
“I’m confident that Auburn will stomp Georgia this season and bring home another W.”
Meaning: mediocre (typically used in a derogatory sense)
Example: “Honestly, the last few Marvel movies have been kinda mid.”
Meaning: relatable person or attitude (sometimes used in a sentence, but sometimes stands alone)
Examples: “Shaggy always wanting something to eat is such a mood.”
“I really hate working in customer service. Mood.”
Meaning: shaken, shocked
Example: “Wait, Isaac is in high school already?? There’s no way. I am SHOOK.”
Meaning: fierce supporter, huge fan (usually applies to celebrities; can be a noun or a verb)
Examples: “I’m a Shania Twain stan.”
“We stan actors who support their costars.”
Meaning: gossip
Example: “Wait, you saw the whole thing? What happened? Spill the tea!”
Meaning: deliver subtle or passive-aggressive criticism
Example: “When he kept emphasizing personal hygiene, he was obviously throwing shade at Dave.”
Meaning: someone who purposely provokes anger online (can be a noun or a verb)
Examples: “Don’t respond to trolls in the comments. You’re just giving them what they want.”
“I don’t think he even really believes what he posted there; he’s just trolling them.”
Now that you’re familiar with all these Internet slang terms, you might be eager to start using them. However, keep in mind that not everyone uses all of these terms. (I’m technically part of Gen Z, but I’ve never once used the phrase “no cap.”) Also, slang evolves rapidly, so there’s no telling how long these acronyms and phrases will remain in use.
In conclusion, don’t feel pressured to throw these terms into random conversations—unless you’re aiming to make any teens and twenty-somethings around you cringe. But at the very least, this list should help you understand these terms when others use them.
That wraps up this blog post. If you’re a regular adult striving to comprehend “the youth,” I hope this guide has been helpful. But perhaps you’re someone looking to learn these terms to better connect with a younger audience in your online marketing.
If that’s the case, I can’t say I recommend trying to use most of this online slang in your marketing—that might just come off as cringey. However, there are definitely other ways to improve your digital marketing, and at WebFX, we’re well-versed in what it takes to achieve that.
If you’re interested in learning more about enhancing your marketing campaigns, make sure to subscribe to our email newsletter, Revenue Weekly. And if you need assistance with your campaigns, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888-601-5359 or contact us online today!
