Сленговые выражения на английском: правила употребления

A

• A C?: AH! SI?
• AAF: As A Friend
• ADAD: Another Day Another Dollar
• ADIH: Another Day In Hell
• ADIP: Another Day in Paradise
• AEAP: As Early As Possible
• AF: As fuck
• AFAICR: As far as I can recall / remember
• AFAICS: As far as I can see
• AFAICT: As far as I can tell
• AFAIK: As far as I know
• AFAIR: As far as I remember
• AFAIU: As far as I understand
• AFAIUI: As far as I understand it
• AFAP: As Far As Possible
• AFK: Away from keyboard
• ALOL: Actually laughing out loud
• ASAP: As soon as possible
• ASL or A/S/L: Age / sex / location
• ASLP or A/S/L/P: Age, sex, location, picture
• ATEOTD: At The End of the Day
• ATB: All the best
• ATFQ: Answer the fucking / full question
• ATM: At the moment
• AWOL: Absent Without (Official) Leave
• AYBABTU (also abbreviated as AYB): all your base are belong to us (from the video game Zero Wing)

Acronyms and Internet Slang in Other Languages

Now, here’s something different, not new, but in different languages, which you can use to wow your friends.

Thais are also updated when it comes to netspeak or chatspeak. One of the most common acronyms, LOL is 555 in Thai. This is because the pronunciation of the number 5 is similar to ”ha” or the letter ”h” therefore typing three 5s in succession is like saying ”hahaha.”

Your Portuguese friend might be typing SQN, which translates to só que não. In English, the nearest equivalent is ”just no,” which is something you can use when you are not in the mood to do anything.

Another Portuguese acronym with the closest translation in English is a ”good deal” is BBB or Bom, Bonito, Barato. Individually, the words mean good, pretty, cheap but BBB is better sounding.

In previous years, LOL, ROFL, LMAO were some of the acronyms you’d use when your chat mate cracked a joke. But in a country like Germany, the reply now is a simple ”g.” In the German language, this is their symbol for Grinsen or grinning in English. . When the joke’s very funny, you can type three g’s (ggg), which represents ganz großes Grinsen. In English,  it means a very big grin. The Swedes use the letters ”asg” to indicate Asgarv, which is ”intense laughter” in English.

The French have a few acronyms as well, such as JTM for je t’aime, MDR (mort de rire) or “dying of laughter” in English. DSL is the French chatspeak or textspeak for désolé that stands for “sorry.”

Tech  Limits for Internet Slang

There are some technological limitations for languages that are not written using the Latin alphabet but as they say, things are invented out of necessity. Therefore, it brought forth the Arabic Chat Alphabet, also called Franco-Arabic, Arabish or Arabizi, where they are able to write some Arabic words quickly by combining Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals. The letter qāf, is represented by the number 9. In the Latin alphabet, this is the letter Q. So when you see ”9alb” it stands for qalb or ”heart” in Arabic.

Our Spanish friends do it brilliantly, although it could be confusing at first. XQ could stand for ”why” or por qué and ”because” or porque. The English preposition ”for” is para in Spanish and they use XA to represent this. XFA is their acronym for por favor or ”please” in English, while XO stands for pero or ”but.”

But what is the relevance of all the Xs? Well, X here is the a mathematical symbol for multiplication. For example, we refer to 2 x 5 as 2 ”times” 5. The Spanish equivalent of ”times” is por. Do you see the connection? XFA = por favor, XQ = por qué/porque and so on. There’s some haziness in the usage, but you get the idea.

Final Thoughts

There are more acronyms and abbreviations on social media sites than what you can read here. Some of them are exclusive to the individual social media sites. It is GR8 to understand some of them so you do not feel left out. In a way these Internet slang and acronyms enrich your vocabulary indirectly.

Many of these internet slang phrases are here to stay. You can even find some of them in official dictionaries nowadays. But will they ever replace proper grammar? We think not! Sure, slang phrases might speed up online communication, especially in the younger generations. But we can’t use them in place of proper language!

Sick как метафора в понимании необычного и экстраординарного

Этот термин обычно используется для передачи сильного впечатления и чувства удивления. Он может описывать что-то, что вызывает благоговение или трепет. Выражение «это просто sick!» означает, что предмет или ситуация такие уникальные и удивительные, что они выходят за рамки обычного и вызывают восхищение.

Например, сказать, что какой-то акробат на выступлении был «sick», означает, что его трюки и выступление невероятные и непохожие на что-либо другое

Предметы моды, музыкальные треки, и даже еда могут быть описаны как «sick», если они отличаются от привычного, вызывают восхищение и привлекают внимание своей необычностью

В контексте сленга, использование «sick» подчеркивает, что что-то является выдающимся, великолепным или впечатляющим. Этот термин переносит обычное значение слова «больной» в новый контекст, где он воплощает идею непривычного и ошеломляющего.

Learn how to reach people on the Internet with WebFX

Now that you know all of these Internet slang terms, you may be eager to start using them. But 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 changes quickly, so there’s no telling how long these acronyms and phrases will remain in use.

All that to say, don’t feel like you should be throwing out these terms in random conversations — not unless your goal is to embarrass any teens and twenty-somethings in the vicinity. But at the very least, this list should help you understand those terms when other people use them.

Anyway, that wraps up this blog post. If you’re just a regular adult desperate to understand the youth, I hope you found this helpful. But maybe you’re someone trying to learn these terms so that you can better communicate with a young 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’ll probably just come off as (to use our new vocab) cringey. But there are definitely other ways you can improve your digital marketing, and at WebFX, we know what it takes to do that.

What counts as American Slang?

Slang is informal language more often found in verbal communication than in written form. This sort of casual speech is often based on common knowledge and has little to do with the literal definitions of words. American slang is no different. As a result, language learners can struggle to understand what native speakers are saying when they use slang.

For example, the term “date” means to set up romantic, one-on-one time with someone. Traditionally this means going out do something (watch a movie, go to a concert) and have dinner. It is one of the most fundamental terms you will hear in conversations about American relationships. You will hear things like, “they are dating” or “I have a date tonight.” However, the literal definition is “the day of the month or year as specified by a number.” If you don’t understand this American slang term, the entire conversation will be lost.

Slang is particularly important in relationships because intimate relationships are rarely formal in America. Instead, intimate relationships are marked by their informality and closeness. So, slang is a huge part of contemporary relationship vocabulary and is important to learn.

One word of warning, while it may be tempting to start using all the new slang words and phrases you learn, if you don’t have a basic knowledge of the language, then you will not be able to properly communicate.

So you shouldn’t begin using slang until you have a general grasp on to communicate properly. If you are looking to develop a fundamental understanding of English, then you should try LingoDeer. It is a thorough and user friendly program to help you learn English and many other languages.

If you have the basics down and are looking to develop your fluency further, then American slang is what you need to learn. It will help you both understand spoken English better and communicate more clearly. This article will particularly help you talk about relationships with American English speakers.

Group Slang

Another interesting feature of slang is how it changes based on the group of people using it. In general, US slang changes based on identity factors like region, race, ethnicity, and religion.

For instance, people in different areas of the US use different words for sweet carbonated drinks such as Coke, Pepsi, or Sprite. You might see them called soda, pop, soda pop, or Coke, depending on where you are.

There are also smaller groups of people who have their own slang. For example, TikTok users might have their own slang vocabulary. Or everyone at one particular high school might have special words they use.

One important thing to keep in mind is whether you share the identity of the group whose slang you’re using. This doesn’t matter with some slang, but it’s important, especially when you use slang from marginalized communities.

Internet Expressions Originating from Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are hotbeds for the creation and spread of slang. Users worldwide interact in these virtual spaces, contributing to the evolution of a unique digital dialect. Here, we’ll look at some widely-used computer slang:

• Subtweet. Originating from Twitter, this term refers to a tweet that indirectly mentions another user without directly tagging them, often used to criticize or mock them discreetly.
• Finsta. A blend of “fake” and “Instagram,” this term refers to a secondary, usually private, Instagram account kept separate from a user’s main account.
• VSCO girl. This term emerged from the VSCO photo-editing app and TikTok. It describes a lifestyle trend characterized by specific fashion choices, like oversized T-shirts, scrunchies, and a commitment to environmental causes.
• Tweetstorm. Another term on Twitter, ‘tweetstorm,’ refers to a series of related tweets posted by a user quickly.
• Facebook official (FBO). This phrase refers to confirming a romantic relationship by updating one’s relationship status on Facebook.
• Slide into DMs. This slang phrase, popular on Instagram and Twitter, refers to sending a direct message to someone in a flirtatious manner.
• Dank memes. Originating from Reddit and other meme-sharing platforms, ‘dank’ is an adjective that describes particularly funny or high-quality memes.

Recognizing and understanding these terms can significantly enhance your comprehension of conversations on social media platforms. They also serve as a tool for expressing yourself more naturally and authentically in online interactions.

FAQ

Why is it important for English learners to understand internet slang?

Internet slang forms a significant part of daily online communication. Understanding it enhances learners’ comprehension of digital content and enables more effective and engaging online interactions.

Is internet slang exclusive to English?

No, it exists in many languages. However, given the dominance of English on the internet, slang often spreads widely and can be found in digital content across different languages.

Can the use of internet slang affect my professional image?

Yes, its excessive use in professional communications may not be well-received. Standard English in professional contexts is generally safer unless slang is common in your industry or workplace.

To be amped

To be amped (прилагательное). Если вы are amped о чем-то, значит, сильно возбуждены, или не можете дождаться какого-то события.

Пример 1:

• «I can’t wait to see Beyonce live! Не могу дождаться выступления Бейонсе вживую!»
• «Me too, I’m amped. Я тоже. Мне уже не терпиться

Также это может значить, вы решились, и хотите, чтобы что-то произошло. В данном значении можете заменить amped на «pumped». Другими словами, вы переполнены адреналином!

Пример 2:

• «I’m so amped for the game tonight! Я так жду вечерней игры!
• «Yeah, I’m sure you are! You guys need to beat the Sox. Да, я в этом уверен! Вам парни, надо победить Сокс

How To Speak American Slang?

American slang is a collection of informal and colorful expressions that are often used by native English speakers in the United States. If you want to learn how to speak American slang, here are some tips to get you started:

Watch American TV shows and movies: One of the best ways to pick up American slang is by watching American TV shows and movies. Pay attention to the words and phrases that are commonly used by the characters, and try to incorporate them into your own vocabulary.

Listen to American music: American music is full of slang and idiomatic expressions. Listen to different genres of music, and pay attention to the lyrics. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn from popular songs.

Read American books and magazines: Reading American books and magazines can also help you to learn American slang. Look for publications that are popular in the United States, and pay attention to the words and phrases that are used.

Interact with native speakers: If you have the opportunity to interact with native speakers of American English, take advantage of it. Ask them to teach you some slang words and phrases, and practice using them in conversation.

Use online resources: There are many online resources that can help you to learn American slang. Look for websites and apps that provide lists of common slang words and phrases, and practice using them in sentences.

Remember, slang is informal and should be used appropriately in the right context. Be mindful of the people you’re speaking with, and make sure you’re using slang that is appropriate for the situation.

American slang: Most used words

Dope: meaning awesome, cool or great.

KK another word for okay. 

OMG: stands for oh my god and is used in almost every sentence. 

Roomie: yep, you guessed it. This connotation simply means roommate.

Totes: if you want to say totally to a friend, try this word. 

Simp: if you’re prepared to obey someone, you’ll be a “simp” for them.

Cringe: just like the action suggests, this term means embarrassing. 

Fire: another way to say something is cool, e.g. “Her jacket is fire!”

Shut up: doesn’t actually mean stop talking, instead, it’s an expression of disbelief that prompts you to continue your story. 

Ditch: in uni, if you ditch class, you’re on Santa’s naughty list. Ditching is the American slang word for the British slang word: “skive.”

G.O.A.T: if people called you this, they’re actually praising you because it means Greatest of All Time and is a popular term in basketball in the US.

Slay: expressing great appreciation of something: “You slayed your performance!”. 

Tea: means gossip, a common phrase used in the US is: “Spill the tea”. 

ASAP: a popular term that stands for as soon as possible and is now used pretty much globally.

Broke: we all know this one, when you’re “skint” (British slang) or poor, you can consider yourself broke.

Bro: just like “mate” in the UK, “bro” means friend typically use amongst men. 

Buck: equals one dollar.

Cram: to study frantically last minute, a term we’re sure you’ll use often (wink). 

Flunk: when you fail a test or exam, you “flunked” so make sure you don’t use this term often.

Psyched: this word means you’re mentally prepared and excited for something. 

YOLO: this term stands for “You only live once” and is used to exaggerate actions like: “I already ate three donuts but I’ll eat one more because YOLO!”.

R.S.V.P.: although this derives from the French phrase: “Répondez s’il vous plaît”, people in the US have coined it and made it an American slang. It simply means you should answer an invitation.

American Slang Conversation

Already interested in what an American slang conversation looks like? Great, let me show you an example:

“Yesterday I was riding shotgun with my best friend to Josh’s party.”

“So sad that I had to take a raincheck because of my driver’s license test today.”

“For sure. The party was really sick.”

“What a bummer… Tell me everything!”

“You know that I have a crush on Josh. So I was really hyped for the party. I always thought he was a bit shy, but it turns out he is a party animal.”

“It’s better than being such a couch potato like your little brother.”

“Absolutely, he sucks at everything except his video games. He sometimes really drives me up the wall!”

“At least he is good at pigging out on chips and snacks.”

You didn’t understand much? Don’t worry, I will explain every one of these slang expressions and many more later on. For most of them, you will get a lot of examples to show you how to use them.

T

• TANSTAAFL: There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch, a quote originally from Robert Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
• TBF: To be fair, Time between failures
• TBH: To be honest
• TFW: That feel when
• TG: That’s great
• TGIF: Thank God it’s Friday
• THX/THNX, TNX or TX: Thanks
• TIA: Thanks in advance
• TIL: Today I learned
• TIMWTK: This inquiring mind wants to know
• TINC: There Is No Cabal, a term discouraging conspiracy theories
• TINS: There is no spoon
• TL;DR: Too Long; Didn’t Read
• TMI: Too much information
• toobs: Internets (refering to the Internet as a series of tubes)
• TOS: Terms of service
• TTBOMK: To the best of my knowledge
• TTFN: Ta ta for now
• TTYL: Talk to you later (also spelled TTUL, T2UL or T2YL)
• TTYN: Talk to you never
• TTYS: Talk to you soon
• tweedler: One who has deep love for all computer related technology and gadgets
• TY: Thank you
• TYT: Take your time
• TYVM: Thank you very much

Common US Slang Words

Here are some common US slang words you might have seen before.

1. Dunno: I don’t + know

Do you want to watch a movie? / I dunno. I’m not sure if I feel like it.

2. Wanna – want to

Wanna go to the dance with me?

3. Imma:  I + am I + am + going

• Imma go to the store and get more ice cream. 
• I can do that because Imma big girl!

4. I’m beat – tired

I’m beat; not sure if I wanna come.

5. Chill – relax

Chill, man, relax.

Positive American Slang

Want to say something is cool or fancy giving your friend some positive vibes? Check out these words.

• Awesome: Man, what an awesome car you have!
• Cool: Where did you get that jacket? It’s so cool!
• Rad: Those shoes are totally rad.
• Sick: What sick tattoos do you have, bro?
• Steezy: wow, that was steezy! Effortless style on that trick, man.
• Poppin’: His new album was poppin’.

Other US Slang Adjectives

Check this out.

1. Cheesy: silly (in an overused or saccharine way)

I can’t believe you like romance novels. They’re so cheesy!

2. Flaky: unreliable

Don’t count on him coming to the party. He’s really flaky.

3. Hip: fashionable, stylish

Bell bottoms were hip in the ’90s, but skinny jeans are popular now.

4. In: fashionable, popular

Fluffy hair elastics are in right now, but I can’t stand them.

5. Nuts: silly or irrational

Are you nuts? I can’t believe you want to go swimming in icy water!

6. Ripped/jacked: in shape

• Did you see her muscles? She’s ripped! 
• Did you see her muscles? She’s jacked!

7. Shady: suspicious

We should get out of here – there’s a shady person on that corner.

8. Sketchy: suspicious

Are you sure you want to eat at that restaurant? It looks really sketchy.

Verbs

Here are some American slang verbs; see if you can spot any you already know!

1. To ace: to pass a test or exam (and do really well on it)

That history test was so easy! I know I aced it.

2. To chill out: to relax

Stop worrying about finals, Albert! Just chill out!

3. To hang out: to spend time with (in a relaxed way)

Do you want to come over tomorrow? We can just hang out, watch movies, and eat junk food.

4. To have a crush on: to have romantic feelings about someone

Did you see Hermione’s cheeks turn red? She has a crush on Anitra!

5. To rip off: to cheat someone

Salma couldn’t believe her new computer broke on the second day. The seller had ripped her off!

6. To screw over: to cheat or take advantage

I can’t believe you did that! You totally screwed me over!

7. To slay: to do really well

I slayed that presentation today. I’m sure I’ll get an A+.

8. To wrap up: to finish

Class, you need to wrap up your final answers now. I’m going to collect the tests in 2 minutes.

American Slang Adjectives for Relationships

21. Knocked up

This adjective refers to when someone gets pregnant. It is a very informal and impolite term.

Example:

22. Thirsty

Thirsty is used to describe men or women who are desperate for sex or a relationship. The term is not positive because it describes people who will date or sleep with anyone available at the time.

Example:

23. Hot

By far, this is one of the most common and popular slang terms in America. It is used to describe an attractive person. The person can be male or female.

Example:

24. Fine

This is a less popular term than hot but carries generally the same meaning. It refers to someone as attractive.

Example:

The Need to Understand American Slang for Relationships:

American slang is key to communicating fluently and naturally, especially when it comes to talking about relationships. So, learning how to use slang will take your language learning to the next level. It will also help you understand American movies and will definitely impress your American friends.

With that being said, you shouldn’t start using slang before you are read. You need a knowledge of the basic mechanics of the language first. If you are looking to build a stronger foundation, then LingoDeer can help. It’s an easy to use and intuitive language learning program to help you learn English. LingoDeer can give you a good foundation so you can start using slang with all your English friends as soon as possible!

We will be teaching you more slang in another article. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, and !

Internet Slang Words with Altered Meanings

Another intriguing facet of internet slang is the transformation of ordinary words. As the culture evolves, it gives new, unique meanings to conventional terms. These altered definitions often reflect humor, creativity, and online community trends. Let’s delve into the internet slang list:

• Ghost. This term refers to abruptly cutting off all communication with someone without any explanation.
• Salty. This word describes someone who is upset, angry, or bitter, often disproportionately.
• Savage. It describes something extremely good or brutally honest, often used to compliment a sharp, witty remark.
• Lit. Originally used to describe something being on fire or brightly lit, it now denotes something exciting, excellent, or fun in internet jargon.
• Shade. This word is used to describe subtly disrespecting or ridiculing someone.
• Tea. Internet slang uses ‘tea’ to denote gossip or exciting news. If someone is ‘spilling the tea,’ they’re dishing out some juicy or scandalous information.
• Troll. Originally a mythical creature in folklore, ‘troll’ refers to someone who deliberately posts provocative or offensive messages online to upset or provoke others.
• Flex. In internet slang, ‘flex’ means to show off one’s status, wealth, or accomplishments.
• Stan. Derived from the Eminem song of the same name, ‘stan’ now means to be an overly obsessed fan of someone.
• Woke. This term describes someone alert to social and political injustices.

Grasping these transformations enriches your understanding of internet slang. It helps you stay updated with language trends and, more importantly, allows you to engage more authentically in online dialogues.

Slang Explained

Slang is a general term for informal language. It refers to the type of English people speak that you won’t find in the formal English language.

In particular, slang words and expressions are usually used by specific groups of people. For example, people from one part of the US will use one type of US slang, and people from another will use completely different American slang words.

However, there are some slang words and phrases that are used all over the US. And these are particularly useful to learn. Sometimes, authors coin slang phrases. But other times, they just appear in the language, and no one knows how they got there. 

To be sick

To be sick (прилагательное). Кашель и чихание… sick не в качестве пациента клиники. Если приятель сказал, праздник был sick, то был по-настоящему cool, awesome, или просто наилучший. Тогда слово приближается по смыслу к awesome. Но вы услышите такой английский сленг, вероятно, лишь от юнцов, или отдыхающих на берегу океана в Калифорнии!

Пример 1:

• «When are you going to Hawaii? Когда едешь на Гавайи?
• «Next week! Have you been? Через неделю! А ты был на Гавайских островах?
• «Yeah, a few times, it’s sick! Да, несколько раз, там замечательно!

Пример 2:

• «You missed a sick party last night! Ты пропустил отличную вечеринку прошлым вечером!
• «Oh, man, I knew I should have gone! Эх, я вынужден был уехать!

Abbreviations and Acronyms in Internet Slang

Let’s start our journey by exploring abbreviations and acronyms, some of the best in internet slang for brevity and speed. Here’s a list of some commonly used ones:

• LOL: laugh out loud. Used to express laughter or amusement.
• BRB: be right back. Indicates that the user will return shortly.
• IDK: I don’t know. A quick response to indicate uncertainty.
• SMH: shaking my head. Expresses disbelief or disappointment.
• TMI: too much information. Used when someone shares excessively personal or detailed information.
• IMO/IMHO: in my (humble) opinion. Used to introduce a personal viewpoint or suggestion.
• BTW: by the way. Used to introduce a new topic, add information, or make a side comment.
• OMG: oh my God. Expresses surprise, disbelief, or excitement.
• FYI: for your information. Used to provide helpful information or denote that the following content is informational.
• ROFL: rolling on the floor laughing. Used to express intense laughter, often more exaggerated than LOL.

These expressions are just the tip of the iceberg. It’s common to encounter new words constantly, as the language evolves rapidly, influenced by various current events, pop culture, and even memes. 

1

American slang: Phrases to know

All the…: this phrase is a typical expression used to show strong feelings. An example for this would be: “All the good feels at Beyonce’s concert.”.

For real: another similar expression to “shut up” to emphasise a statement or ask if someone is serious.

Blow off steam: getting rid of stress, energy or anger. 

Break a leg: a way to wish someone good luck, usually before a performance. 

Curve ball: coined from a baseball term, a curve ball means something tricky or unexpected. 

Hang out: it doesn’t mean to physically hang out of a window or something, but more like chill with someone — a casual time with friends.

Hit the books: no, it doesn’t mean you actually slam or punch the books. It’s an American slang that’s used to say you’re about to study or do assignments. 

I’m down: you’re in for whatever event is happening. 

What’s up: how you ask how someone is or say hello. 

Zone out: something you should never do in class! This means you’re not paying attention as your mind gets distracted.

Break the ice: when you want to start a conversation and not begin with something awkward. 

Hit the sack: just like “hit the books,” but instead of studying this means sleeping. 

In a nutshell: another way to say briefly or concisely. 

On the house: if someone tells you this at a bar or a restaurant, it means they’re settling the bill so don’t forget to thank them. 

Under the weather: you’re not actually under the weather but this expression means you’re feeling sick. 

Now that you know some basic American slang, it’s time to put some into good use by getting out there and making new friends!

Do you use these funny acronyms and slang terms?

Now you know some of the most common acronyms and slang used on the internet, you can feel more confident writing posts and comments on your favorite forums and YouTube channels. You’ll be able to warn people that something is NSFW or tell them a cool fact beginning TIL. And, if that fact wasn’t interesting enough for the internet, you’ll know about it immediately when people say IDC or IDGAF.

Laura Jones

Laura is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for eight years. She was born in the UK and has lived in Australia and Poland, where she writes blogs for Lingoda about everything from grammar to dating English speakers. She’s definitely better at the first one. She loves travelling and that’s the other major topic that she writes on. Laura likes pilates and cycling, but when she’s feeling lazy she can be found curled up watching Netflix. She’s currently learning Polish, and her battle with that mystifying language has given her huge empathy for anyone struggling to learn English. Find out more about her work in her portfolio.