30 Commonly Misinterpreted Slang Words
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Slang terms are like the inside jokes of a generation. They're constantly evolving, and sometimes their meanings get lost in translation.
We all know someone who’s used a slang term only to be met with confusion. It happens to the best of us, and honestly, it’s part of the fun!
But what if I told you some of the most commonly used terms don’t mean what you think they do?
I’ve put together a list of 30 slang words and phrases that people often misinterpret. Trust me, it’s not as simple as you might think!
Some of these are so ingrained in our daily lives, yet they often have a very different meaning than the one we assume.
So, let’s dive in and clear up these misunderstandings together.
1. Bae – Not Just "Before Anyone Else"
The term bae has become a staple in online texting, but did you know it actually comes from the word baby or babe?
We often hear it as an acronym for "Before Anyone Else," but in reality, it’s just a cute way of shortening an affectionate term.
Hence, next time you call someone your bae, remember, it’s all about love, not an acronym for prioritization.
2. Lit – Not Just About Being Intoxicated
When you say something is lit, you probably mean it’s exciting, fun, or happening, right? Well, the term actually originates from the idea of being "lit" as in intoxicated.
Over time, though, it evolved into a broader meaning — something that’s just really cool.
For instance, if you’re ever at a party and someone says it’s lit, they’re not referring to the alcohol.
They’re talking about the vibe!
3. Salty – It’s Not About Food
I know, it’s hard to forget that salty originally just referred to the taste, but now, it means something totally different.
When someone’s salty, they’re actually annoyed, irritated, or upset.
Whenever, your friend is grumbling over something trivial, you can bet they’re not talking about the taste of their fries.
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4. Low-key – It’s More Subtle Than Shy
We all love using low-key to describe something that’s a little quiet, but did you know it’s more about subtlety than shyness?
Think of it as something understated, not screaming for attention.
If someone says they're "low-key excited," it doesn’t mean they’re hiding in the corner; they’re just not showing all their excitement outwardly.
5. High-key – Not What You Think
On the flip side, when something is high-key, it’s the opposite of low-key, but not in the loud way you might assume.
It means something that’s obvious or overt, not necessarily boisterous.
So, when someone says they high-key love a song, they’re not yelling it from the rooftops, they’re just being real about it.
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6. Flex – It’s All About Showing Off
It’s not just about bending your muscles, when you’re flexing, you’re showing off.
Whether it’s your new car, outfit, or even your cooking skills, a flex is all about flaunting your achievements.
It’s like saying, “Yeah, I’m proud of this!” with style.
7. Spill the Tea – It’s Gossip, Not a Beverage
Spilling the tea doesn’t mean making a mess with your cup of Earl Grey. It’s all about gossiping or sharing some juicy details.
So when your friend says, “Come on, spill the tea,” they’re not talking about a drink, they want the scoop!
8. Vibing – It’s More Than Just a Vibration
When someone says they’re vibing, they’re not talking about literal vibrations (though that would be interesting).
They’re telling you they’re feeling relaxed and enjoying the moment.
For example, If you ever hear “I’m just vibing,” rest assured, it’s about enjoying life and being in the zone.
9. Cheugy – It’s Not About Food
You’ve probably heard cheugy tossed around, especially when talking about outdated trends.
But it doesn’t have anything to do with food! Cheugy is used to describe someone or something that’s trying too hard to be cool or stuck in the past.
Hence, no, your avocado toast isn’t cheugy (unless you’ve been eating it every day for the last five years).
10. Periodt – Not What You Think
Periodt (with the extra “t” for emphasis) doesn’t refer to a time period. It’s used to emphasize a statement or to end a discussion.
For example, if someone says, “That movie was the best, periodt,” they’re just being extra serious about it.
No need to get confused over punctuation here!
11. Yeet – Not Just Vomiting
When you hear someone yell yeet, it’s not a cry of nausea! Yeet means to throw something with force or excitement.
It’s that feeling of launching an object across the room just because it’s fun.
So, no, you don’t need to worry about someone needing a bucket.
12. Finna – It’s Not “Finally”
You might hear someone say, “I’m finna go to the store.” It doesn’t mean they’ve been waiting forever.
Finna is a contraction of “fixing to,” meaning about to do something.
So, it’s more like, “I’m about to go to the store,” not "finally!"
13. GOAT – Not a Farm Animal
If someone’s called the GOAT, don’t worry, they’re not referring to a farm animal.
This is an acronym for “Greatest Of All Time.” It’s often used to describe a person who’s truly top-tier in their field, whether it’s a musician, athlete, or even a chef.
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14. Thirsty – Not Just About Hydration
Someone who’s thirsty isn’t necessarily in need of water. In slang terms, it means someone is desperate for attention or affection.
It's often used to describe someone who is overly eager, especially in a romantic sense.
15. Sus – Not a Fish
When you call something sus, you're not talking about a type of fish. Sus is short for "suspicious" or "questionable."
So, if someone says, “That situation was sus,” they’re not doubting a tuna fish. They mean it seemed off or shady.
16. Bet – Not Just About Wagering
We’ve all heard the term bet thrown around, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making a wager.
In slang, bet is used to show agreement or confirmation.
For example, if someone says, “We’re meeting at 7 p.m.,” you could respond with “Bet,” meaning “Sounds good to me!”
17. Drip – It’s About Style
Drip has nothing to do with liquids or leaks. When someone says they’ve got drip, they’re talking about their stylish and fashionable appearance.
Think of it as someone saying they’ve got a great outfit, they're dripping with style.
18. Bussin' – It’s Not “Busting”
If someone says something is bussin', they’re not talking about breaking something.
Bussin' is used to describe something that’s really good, especially when it comes to food.
If a meal is bussin’, you know it’s a culinary masterpiece.
19. Gassed Up – It’s About Being Hyped
Being gassed up doesn’t have anything to do with filling up your car.
It means being hyped up or excited. If your friend is gassed up about an event, they’re pumped and ready for it!
20. Cap – It’s Not a Hat
When someone says "no cap," they’re not talking about a hat. Cap means a lie, and no cap means "I’m not lying" or "I’m being serious."
If someone says, “I’m the best at this, no cap,” they’re confidently stating the truth.
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21. Ghosting – It’s Not About Spirits
Ghosting doesn’t mean seeing a ghost! It’s when someone abruptly stops all communication without giving an explanation.
Therefore, if you’ve ever been texting someone who suddenly disappears with no word, they’ve probably ghosted you.
22. Woke – Not Just Awake
Being woke isn't about getting out of bed. It’s a term used to describe someone who is aware of and engaged with social justice issues.
Whenever someone says they're “woke,” they’re talking about being socially conscious, not just awake.
23. Cringe – It’s More Than Just a Reaction
When something is cringe, it’s not about physical discomfort. It refers to something that’s awkward, embarrassing, or socially uncomfortable.
It’s that feeling when you see a secondhand embarrassment moment unfold.
24. Extra – It’s Not Just Additional
Extra refers to someone who is overly dramatic or attention-seeking. It’s used to describe a person who goes over the top with their behavior or style.
For instance, if someone says you're acting extra, it means you're being a little too much for the moment.
25. Slay – Not Just About Killing It
To slay isn’t about violence, even though it sounds intense. It means to do something incredibly well, to perform at your best, or to look amazing while doing it.
So when you slay, you’re owning whatever you’re doing!
26. Cancel Culture – It’s Not About a Literal Cancellation
Cancel culture doesn’t mean actually canceling something like a TV show or event.
It’s used to describe the social phenomenon where people stop supporting someone (usually a celebrity or public figure) because of something controversial they’ve done or said.
Whenever you hear "cancel culture," think about boycotting or calling out bad behavior, not hitting the “cancel” button.
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27. Flexin’ – It’s Not About Stretching
When someone says they’re flexin’, it’s not about doing stretches or yoga. It refers to showing off, usually in terms of money, possessions, or achievements.
If someone’s flexing their new sneakers, it’s because they want to show them off and make others impressed!
28. Shook – Not Just About Being Trembling
If someone says they're shook, it doesn’t mean they’re physically shaking from fear.
It means they’re emotionally or mentally shaken up, often in response to something surprising or shocking.
For example, you might say you’re shook after hearing some unexpected news.
29. Stan – Not Just a Fan
We all know that being a stan means you're a fan, but it goes beyond just liking something.
The term stan comes from the song by Eminem, where the character is obsessively devoted to him.
Now, to stan someone means you’re more than a fan; you're completely loyal and enthusiastic about that person or thing. Think extreme fandom!
30. Throwing Shade – It’s Not About Literal Shadow
Throwing shade doesn’t mean casting a shadow on a sunny day. It’s a way to describe when someone subtly insults or disrespects another person, usually in a clever or indirect way.
Therefore, when someone throws shade, they’re being passive-aggressive with their words.
Conclusion
- Slang terms evolve and often don’t mean what they literally suggest.
- Context matters! The way you use slang defines its meaning.
- Keep up with the latest slang, but don’t be afraid to embrace the ones that have been around for a while, you never know when a "bae" might become the perfect word for your text.
Got a favorite slang term that still confuses you? Or maybe you’ve got a funny story about a time you misused a slang word? I’d love to hear it!
Drop a comment below and let’s share the laughs.
What do you think you?