Slang dictionary

Based means admirably true to yourself — saying or doing something bold and unbothered by what others think. Coined by rapper Lil B, it became online praise for an independent, agree-worthy take. It's roughly the opposite of 'cringe.'

Bet is an all-purpose 'okay' or 'you're on' — a one-word way to agree, confirm plans, or accept a challenge. From AAVE. 'Meet at 8?' 'Bet.' Fired back at a doubt ('you won't'), it flips to mean 'watch me.'

Brainrot means two things: the genre of hyper-absurd, low-effort internet content (AI mashups, nonsense catchphrases), and the mental fog you supposedly get from consuming too much of it. Calling something 'brainrot' can be an insult or, ironically, a badge of honor.

Bussin means really good — most often used for delicious food. 'This food is bussin' means it tastes amazing. From AAVE, it blew up on TikTok; doubling it ('bussin bussin') cranks up the praise even further.

Clanker is a fictional, joking insult for robots, droids, and AI — borrowed from Star Wars, where clone troopers called battle droids 'clankers.' In 2025 it was revived online as a tongue-in-cheek slur aimed at chatbots, humanoid robots, and AI slop.

Cooked means done for, ruined, or completely out of options — 'we're cooked' is the panic version of 'we're screwed.' It also means wiped out or exhausted, and the opposite of the positive 'cooking' (doing great, on a roll).

Goated means the greatest of all time — elite, top-tier, unbeatable. It verbs the acronym GOAT ('Greatest Of All Time'). Call a person, game, or snack 'goated' to say nothing tops it; 'goated with the sauce' adds extra flair.

The ick is a sudden wave of disgust that instantly kills your attraction to someone — usually triggered by a small, specific turn-off (how they run, chew, or text). Once you catch the ick, you can't unsee it. Popularized by reality TV and TikTok.

A menace is a lovable troublemaker — someone who causes chaos, breaks the rules, or acts up in a way that's more funny than harmful. 'Menace to society' and 'menace behavior' describe the chaotic, unbothered energy of doing whatever you want.

Mid means mediocre, average, or overrated — a dismissive way to say something is nothing special. 'That show was mid.' It's the go-to put-down for anything that fails to live up to its hype, sitting below good but above outright bad.

Mogging is outshining someone so hard you make them look inferior by comparison — usually in looks, height, jawline, or sheer presence. If you're taller and sharper in a photo, you're 'mogging' the person next to you. Mostly used as a joke.

No cap means 'no lie' or 'for real' — a promise that you're being completely honest. The opposite, 'cap,' means a lie, so calling 'cap' (or dropping the 🧢 emoji) accuses someone of making it up.

Opps is short for 'opposition' — your enemies, rivals, or haters. Born in Chicago and UK drill music to mean rival crews, it crossed into everyday Gen Z slang for anyone on the other side, from a genuine adversary to the coworker who keeps stealing your lunch.

A ratio is when a reply gets more likes than the post it's replying to — proof the crowd sided against the original. To 'ratio' someone is to bury their bad take under a more popular clapback. 'Ratio' as a reply is itself an attempt to start one.

A rizzler is someone with elite rizz — a master of charm and flirting who wins people over effortlessly. It got supercharged by 'the Rizzler,' a young boy who went viral with the Costco Guys, turning the title into a playful badge for anyone with serious game.

Sus is short for 'suspicious' or 'suspect' — used when someone or something seems shady, sketchy, or not quite right. Long a casual clipping, it exploded thanks to the game Among Us, where you accuse whoever seems like the impostor.

SYBAU stands for 'shut yo bitch ass up.' It's a blunt, usually joking way to tell someone to stop talking or to knock it off — most common on TikTok and in comment sections.

Unc is short for 'uncle' — an affectionate or teasing name for an older man, or for a peer who's acting old, tired, or out of touch. 'Unc status' is when someone reveals their age with dated slang, groaning off the couch, or falling asleep at 9pm.