Slang, which most of us teens use on a daily basis, changes almost as fast as Harriton’s mood does after Lunch and Learn ends. Recently magnified by the use of social media, most of today’s slang originated from regular, everyday words. Today, “facts” doesn’t just mean information, it’s a way to agree with someone. And “crash out” doesn’t refer to a computer, it’s a feeling of frustration. At Harriton, words like these can be heard being thrown out in the hallways and being bounced off of classroom walls.
“Ate”
Definition: to praise for something or someone
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “Yeah, the cafeteria staff ate.”
Believe it or not, if someone says, “you ate,” they’re complimenting you. And they’re not talking about food! This term came from early African American and Latinx LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, where performers would be praised for doing well in their performances. Back then, to say someone “ate” meant they performed so skillfully that they left everyone in awe. This word soared in popularity and gained a lot of ground with young people thanks to TikTok. Its online presence also brought more variation, such as “ate and left no crumbs” and “devoured,” which simply emphasizes the existing meaning.
“Bus” or “Bussin’”
Definition: to say something is really good
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “Yeah, it was bus.”
Many people think the term “bus” or “bussin’” comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). AAVE uses the word “busting” to mean something that is exciting or full of energy. Since it is usually used to describe food, some think this slang comes from the word “bursting.” In the context of food, “bursting” refers to a rich flavor – like if someone were to say, “This dish is bursting with flavor.”
“Cap” and “No cap”
Definition: to tell a lie
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “Yeah, no cap.” or “Nah, that’s cap.”
Also from the AAVE community, “to cap” means “to lie” while commenting “no cap” translates to “no lie.” These opposites are thought to originate from AAVE slang back in the early 1900s, when “to cap” meant “to brag,” “to exaggerate,” or literally “to lie about.” The origin of how this meaning came about is uncertain. “No cap” was popularized by artists Future & Young Thug in their song titled “No Cap.” After this, both sayings became widely used. To give an example, if someone said, “I just ran 10 miles,” and the person didn’t believe that, their response might be “That’s cap.” In contrast, something like “I hate running,” might get a response of “No cap,” which would show that the respondent agreed with the first comment. “No cap” is used similarly to both “facts” and “real,” which I will explain further down.
“Crash out”
Definition: to be overwhelmed with frustration or anger
Example: “I’m about to crash out over this homework. It’s so hard”
Originating all the way in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, again from AAVE, “to crash out,” is used synonymously with “to melt down.” Even though the evolution of the phrase is not pinned down exactly, it is said to be derived from “crash dummy.” It was first used in a song by rapper NBA YoungBoy in his 2017 song “Stepped On,” in which he sings “Crash out if I’m nervous.” This was the first big usage of the term, and following this it took off online, especially on TikTok. Many users went viral after using various forms of “crash out” in their content, popularizing the term. Although earlier it was used as a noun, calling someone who was looking for trouble “a crashout,” we now take it to mean you’re going to literally break down from overwhelming frustration or anger.
“Facts” or “Real”
Definition: to express agreement
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “That’s so real.” or “That’s facts.”
Maybe the most obvious one on this list, “facts” literally comes from the word “fact” or “factual.” The term “facts” originated in the African American community in the 2010s and was popularized by rapper Lil Wayne’s music and social media posts. “Real,” on the other hand, has actually been used in a slang context dating all the way back to the 1940s, when the phrase “It’s been real” was coined. This earlier usage is not really the same as today’s, but it’s where the word “real” started being used as a slang term. Although these words seem simple and their meanings pretty clear, it’s interesting that we use them as substitutes for longer, more complex phrases. Instead of saying “I agree with you” or “That’s true,” you can say “Facts” or “Real” and just as easily be understood.
“It’s giving”
Definition: evokes the feeling of
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “Yeah, it’s giving five star restaurant.”
An oldie but still occasionally used, “it’s giving” is used to explain how someone or something looks, comparing it to someone or something else, usually in a positive or ironic way. It comes from the phrase “it’s giving (X) vibes,” which started being used around 2020 during the pandemic. “It’s giving” stems from the Black Trans communities and the New York City Ballroom scene. Spreading through Twitter in 2021, the term became a way to express the “vibe” of an image in a funny and relatable way.
“Lowkey” and “Highkey”
Definition: subtle (synonymous with “kind of”)
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “Lowkey!”
Definition: obviously
Example: “That lunch was really good.” “Yeah, highkey it was!”
Although these words stem from photography, art, and music, they have become some of the most prominent words in today’s slang. In the 2000s, “lowkey” slowly took the form of an adverb, being used synonymously with “kind of” and “sort of.” “Highkey” followed suit, taking on the opposite meaning of “lowkey,” as it is used to express strong emotion. Both terms come from AAVE and spread throughout hip hop culture and further through the media.
“Opp”
Definition: an enemy or opponent
Example: “That girl is my number one opp.”
Derived from the word “opposition” or “opponent,” “an opp” refers to one’s opponents, or enemies, really. It is thought to have originated as an abbreviation from AAVE. Its usage was mostly minimal up until 2016, when more popular artists like Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, and Lil Uzi Vert began using it in their lyrics. From here, the slang exploded, spreading in hip hop culture as well as across the media, specifically on Twitter.
Slang is always changing and evolving and it’s important to remember that words like these have interesting backstories. Understanding their origins shows us just how profound the media’s impact is on how we talk. There’s more to these words than meets the eye. So the next time you hear someone use “lowkey,” now you’ll remember that it was an art term before it became slang.
