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List of slang words in English with their meanings and examples. Good to know for everyone who wants to travel to any English-speaking country. Join @PhrasalCards too
🔘 CellfishWhat does cellfish mean?
◻️Inconsiderate of others while talking on the phone
Cellfish is a term used to describe a person who talks on his phone and is rude to the people around him. It combines "cell phone" and "selfish".
A person commonly exhibits cellfish behavior in smaller spaces where strangers are forced to congregate, such as a waiting room, a checkout line, movie theater, or an elevator. Since this person is so engrossed in his phone he is unaware of others.
❓Example
"That dude in line was being so cellfish, no one wants to hear about dislike of your mother-in-law.
Yeah, he used like 5 f-bombs in front of those kids."
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Cellfish means inconsiderate of others while talking on the phone
🔘 Catch And ReleaseWhat does catch and release mean?
◻️To flirt with someone then stop when the person wants commitment
Catch and release is a dating term that refers to when someone flirts with a person then stops once she likes him back. It comes from the "catch and release" term associated with hunting and fishing for animals then releasing them after catching them.
People who like catch and release are known for liking the "chase" but not the commitment. Catch and release comes with a heightened level of excitement from the thrill of the chase. Things like flirty texts, alluring glances, and romantic gestures are a lot of fun but actually committing to a ship is too much to ask for.
❓Example
"He won't even return her texts.
Yeah, he's known for his love of the catch and release."
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Joey is well known for his catch and release attitude
🔘 Gummy TummyWhat does gummy tummy mean?
◻️Stomach ache from eating gummy candies
Gummy tummy is a term that describes the sick feeling you get when you eat too many gummy candies. Common gummy candy culprits include gummy bears, worms, and fish.
Gummy tummy is the result of binge-eating too many candies, which leads to eater's remorse. It is the same as the gummy ache term.
❓Example
"I have no self-control when it comes to candy and now I have gummy tummy!"
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That gummy tummy feeling
🔘 Do It For The GramWhat does do it for the gram mean?
◻️To do something only to share on Instagram
Do it for the gram is a phrase that refers to when a person does stuff for the sole purpose of posting it to Instagram. The person may buy a new pair of shoes, drive a couple hours to the beach, or stalk a person just so they can post a pic or video of it on the social site.
The gram is another way to say Instagram, which is a social site where users share images and video. People that do it for the gram are considered fake because they don't really do stuff to experience it, rather they just want to get likes, comments, and followers.
❓Example
"You gonna come to the game tonight?"
"Maybe. I don't like football but I was just gonna do it for the gram."
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They do it for the gram
🔘 WhitesplainWhat does whitesplain mean?
◻️To explain racism to a person of color
Whitesplain is a term that refers to when a white person tries to explain the true nature of racism to a person of color. It combines "white" and "explain".
Whitesplaining is usually done by oblivious white people with good intentions. They are sharing their perspective but not in a way that conveys understanding of the plight of colored people. It comes across as condescending and totally inappropriate considering that white people have not experienced racism the same way that colored people have, especially in America. Backlash against whitesplaining usually occurs on social media where opinions are more often exchanged.
❓Example
"Did you see his tweet yesterday?
No, was it bad?
Well, do you think whitesplaining racism to a civil rights leader is bad?
Yikes. :-/"
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Response to a Rob Schneider whitesplain tweet
🔘 Make It SnowWhat does make it snow mean?
◻️To toss money in the air
Make it snow is a phrase that refers to flaunting money. It involves money being thrown or tossed up in the air in order to have it float down like snowflakes.
The phrase is similar to "make it rain," but involves larger bills, which is why it is snow instead of rain. The act is performed by incredibly wealthy people looking to flaunt their status.
❓Example
"Just got myself a contract extension, about to make it snow tonite!"
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Make It Snow means to toss money in the air
🔘 SmoochWhat does smooch mean?
◻️Kiss
Smooch is another way to say "kiss," whether it be a single peck or full-on make-out. The term comes from the sound lips sometimes make when kissing.
Most people use smooch in a romantic sense to tease others about kissing a crush, boyfriend or girlfriend, or spouse. It is similar to the "muah" and "mwah" terms.
You can use it as a noun or as a verb. For example, your girlfriend may give you a smooch or you might be caught smooching in the basement with your boyfriend by your dad.
❓Example
"Give me a little smooch before you leave."
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Giving smooches
🔘 ShookWhat does shook mean?
◻️Completely surprised
Shook is a slang term for when someone is so completely surprised that they are physically and emotionally shaken. It is commonly used on social media to react to shocking news.
The term is typically used by young females who overreact and use a lot hyperbole. The shock may come from something haunting and mind blowing that is simply too real for a person.
❓Example
"I was so shook after watching that"
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Shook means completely surprised
🔘Hits DifferentWhat does it mean when something hits different?
◻️Affects differently
When something affects you in a meaningful way, it "hits different." It may be a new experience that stands out or something you've experienced before but now affects you differently.
The phrase became popular in 2019, particularly on social sites like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. People typically use it when reacting to a song, photo, or video that impacts them emotionally.
It may be a song you have heard many times before but makes you cry since going through a break-up. Or it may be your recently deceased dad's favorite movie airing on TV that makes you smile.
❓Example
"This song just hits different since mom died."
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When the car color hits different
🔘Onion CheckWhat does onion check mean?
◻️To check the source of a news headline
A phrase that describes when you have to check the source of an absurd headline to see if it's real or not (from "The Onion").
The Onion is a satirical newspaper that creates crazy and hilarious stories to make fun of current events. Nowadays, it seems that news stories are becoming more and more bizarre, which makes it more difficult to tell what is real and what is fake. This is why the Onion check is becoming more important, because you don't want to look stupid and post a fake story on social media or reference a satirical article in your paper.
❓Example
"Did you know that Obama ordered an attack on Sweden?!?!
Uhh, you might want to do an Onion check on that."
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Headline from The Onion newspaper
🔘 Crows Before Hoes
What does crows before hoes mean?
◻️ Guy friends are more important than romantic interests
Crows before hoes means guy friends are more important than female romantic interests. The phrase comes from Game of Thrones and is often used by fans of the show.
The term is a parody of the popular "bros before hoes" saying with the same meaning. The "crows" part comes from Game of Thrones, which refers to the Night's Watch, a brotherhood sworn to the protection of the Wall from Wildlings and Whitewalkers. The brotherhood's pact lasts until death, which means that the men cannot get married, thus the "guys come before women" sentiment.
❓ Example
"Dude, u can't go on a date 2nite, we r going 2 the game , crows before hoes!"
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🔘 MoolahWhat does moolah mean?
◻️Moolah means money. It also appears as mula but is less common.
The term is widely understood as a term that refers to money, or at least something of monetary value. And people of all ages may use the term, partially because it's been used a lot in pop culture and it's just fun to say.
When did the moolah term become popular?
Most linguists agree that the term surfaced in the 1930s with prominent usage by U.S. gamblers and hipsters. The term remains relevant today, even as many other slang terms have been coined to refer to money, such as Bread, Dough, Paper, and Scratch.
What are the origins of the moolah term?
Some scholars believe the word came from the Gypsy word "mol," which means "to be worth." Others believe that it comes from the Irish phrase "moll oir," which means "pile of gold."
The term may have also come from "mulya" (pronounced Mool-ya), which is a Sanskrit word that means "value" or "price." The "mulya" word is also used in Hindi, Marathi, and various other languages in India. Additionally, "Amulya" means "priceless."
❓Example
"Can I borrow some moolah?"
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Moolah means money
🔘 BlursdayWhat is blursday?
◻️Literally any day of the week, they're all the same now
Those who are having trouble telling the days of the week apart may refer to them all as blursday. This slang term rose to prominence in 2020, as those sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic lost track of the passage of time.
It turns out, when you WFH, can't meet up with friends, and aren't allowed to enter gyms, bars, shops, or restaurants, most every day of the week feels the same. To express and confront this feeling of sameiness, many social media users began referring to every day of the week as blursday, conveying how disoriented they felt.
For example, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would not have been uncommon for a person to answer the question "What day is it?" with "It's Blursday March 233rd." Anyone having a stressful, time-crunched, or protracted week, however, may now refer to the current day as blursday.
❓Example
"6 am on another beautiful blursday, let's get at it!"
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In 2020, every day was blursday
🔘 No CapWhat does no cap mean?
◻️No lie
No cap means "no lie" or "for real," and is used to emphasize that you are telling the truth, especially when describing something that is hard to believe. The slang term gained mainstream popularity in 2018.
When texting or online, the term may also be seen with the baseball cap emoji for extra emphasis. People may also use Cap or Capping when talking about people who are lying. The Cap term gained a lot of exposure in May 2019 when NBA superstar Kevin Durant used it in a tweet accusing reporter Chris Broussard of lying about texting with him.
❓Example
"I just saw a dude jump out of a moving car. No cap."
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No Cap means no lie
🔘 BMWWhat does BMW stand for?
◻️Bayerische Motoren Werke
An easy and more pronounceable way to reference the German vehicle company; founded in 1916, they specialize in automobile, motorcycle, and engine manufacturing; one of the best-selling luxury automakers in the entire world.
❓Example
"I think I'm gonna buy a BMW this time around.
Wow, that's definitely a step up from your Geo Metro!"
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A BMW travelling down the freeway
🔘 No CapWhat does no cap mean?
◻️No lie
No cap means "no lie" or "for real," and is used to emphasize that you are telling the truth, especially when describing something that is hard to believe. The slang term gained mainstream popularity in 2018.
When texting or online, the term may also be seen with the baseball cap emoji for extra emphasis. People may also use Cap or Capping when talking about people who are lying. The Cap term gained a lot of exposure in May 2019 when NBA superstar Kevin Durant used it in a tweet accusing reporter Chris Broussard of lying about texting with him.
❓Example
"I just saw a dude jump out of a moving car. No cap."
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No Cap means no lie
🔘 Selfie StickWhat does selfie stick mean?
◻️An extendable pole with a smartphone on the end
A term that refers to a pole with a smartphone on the end; used to take a selfie from angles that the human arm cannot reach; often used by annoying people who think it's worth it to carry around an obnoxious device just to take a selfie.
❓Example
"The concert was fun but the people in front of us kept blocking the view with their selfie stick."
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A woman taking a selfie with a selfie stick
🔘 NetflixingWhat does netflixing mean?
◻️Eating a lot of food when you mean to eat just a little
Netflixing is eating a lot of food when you meant to eat much less. It often starts with good intentions but then turns into a gorge-fest when self-control is lost.
Netflixing most often occurs with individuals that have low to no self control. Guilty pleasure food is the most common type of food that induces netflixing. The term comes from the video streaming service called "Netflix," that is responsible for the majority of binge-watching, which is when you watch a bunch of episodes during one sitting.
❓Example
"Stop netflixing the Nutella. Let me have some!"
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When you just can't stop netflixing
🔘 Alpha MomWhat does alpha mom mean?
◻️A dominant female in a group of mothers
An alpha mom is a mother who dominates over other mothers in her social sphere. The mother dominates over others with her strong opinions and belief that she is in the right.
An alpha mom always rises to the top when a group of mothers comes together. The alpha mom usually dictates the group's behavior and is the first to be outraged. Alpha moms can be a cancer to discussions because they tend to dominate the sharing time.
❓Example
"I can already tell that Laura is going to be an alpha mom just by how she complains to the waiter."
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A soon-to-be alpha mom
🔘 ExtraWhat does extra mean?
Over the top
Extra is a slang term that refers to a person who is over the top, most likely in an annoying way. The person is being overly dramatic and needs to be reined in, such as a plastered broseph trying to jump from a house roof into the pool or a teacher that is too strict. The term may also describe a person who is trying too hard, whether it be attempting to fit in or throw the best party ever.
Typically, extra is used as a negative term, similar to basic, and is meant to be a criticism of a person's behavior. If you are called "extra" you should try to take a step back and chill. It is commonly used as a noun or adjective.
❓Example
"You going to Tiffany's house later?"
"No, I can't handle her, everything about her is extra and I don't need that in my life right now."
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He is a bit extra
🔘 JellyWhat is jelly short for?
◻️Jealous
Jelly is a funny way to abbreviate "jealous." It is often used by teenagers when they are playfully jealous about something their friends received or experienced.
Jelly is often seen in text messages, online chatrooms, and social sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It is typically not used for serious instances of jealousy, like when a spouse is flirting or a parent displays more affection to one child than another. If it is used in serious contexts, it will sound really stupid.
❓Example
"He gets twice as much as me. That's what I'm jelly about."
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Jelly means jealous
🔘 BreadcrumbingWhat is breadcrumbing when dating?
◻️Leading someone on romantically
Breadcrumbing is when a person leads someone on in a romantic way with no intention of committing to a relationship (ship). The "breadcrumber" may do it on accident, but typically they do it on purpose because they enjoy being pursued and fawned over.
The term gained popularity in the mid-2010s as a way to identify people who are being breadcrumbed and the people who are doing the breadcrumbing. It comes from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. In the story, the two children leave breadcrumbs on the path they take so they can follow it out of the forest.
In heterosexual pursuits, the male is typically the one being breadcrumbed and the female is the one breadcrumbing. The breadcrumber may send provocative texts or give flirty glances but then wants nothing to do with commitment. Some benefits of breadcrumbing a person include undivided attention, free meals, and thoughtful gifts from the breadcrumbed person.
❓Example
"She is the worst. She's just breadcrumbing me along until she can find someone more fun."
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Breadcrumbing is often done through texting
🔘 BenchingWhat does benching mean?
◻️Using a person as a backup date
Benching is when a person uses someone as a backup date in case a better option falls through. Benching most often occurs in the dating world but may also apply to friendships.
The term comes from sports where a person on the bench is good enough to not get cut but not good enough to make the starting lineup. In regards to dating or friendships, when a person benches someone he is saying that the person is likable enough to be kept around but not enough to get more attention. It typically manifests itself in communication that is infrequent but consistent. It's just enough to keep someone interested.
❓Example
"I think she's benching me, she barely even texts me anymore."
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When you realize bae is benching you
🔘Cancel CultureWhat is cancel culture?
◻️Canceling people who do anything controversial
Cancel culture is the desire to ostracize a person or company when they do something disagreeable. It's especially prominent on social sites, like Twitter and Facebook where Internet users band together to "cancel" other objectionable users.
The term became prevalent in 2019 to describe the mobs of Internet users that come together to silence, or "get rid of" others that have done something objectionable.
Cancel culture partially grew out of the #MeToo movement, which began in 2017 when victims of sexual abuse started to publicly come forward to share their stories. While the #MeToo movement provided a platform for victims that was empowering, the swift punishment doled out to those accused led to the growth of cancel culture on the web.
A prominent criticism of "cancel culture" is that people are jumping to conclusions without due diligence. Another criticism is that users are dismissing people for minor transgressions instead of working through differences of perspective to get to a shared understanding.
❓Example
"The cancel culture is attacking our freedom of speech!"
"Not really, you're allowed to say it but now there are more significant consequences, at least online."
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Cancel culture folks remember
🔘 SwattingWhat does swatting mean?
◻️Creating a false emergency to get a SWAT team to respond
Swatting is a term that refers to a prank where a person reports a false emergency to get a SWAT team to respond to an innocent person's house. Swatting grew in popularity when numerous celebrities, such as Tom Cruise, Paris Hilton, and Justin Timberlake, were swatted in 2014.
Some gamers have begun to swat other gamers by retrieving their home address and calling in fake emergencies in order to get points. For example, the more police that show up or the more damage is done, the more points.
❓Example
"Did you hear that a couple hackers may be responsible for swatting Tom Cruise?"
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A SWAT team responding to a fake emergency
🔘 Woke What does it mean to be woke?
◻️Aware of social issues
A woke person is someone who has "woken up" to modern discrimination and social issues. Examples include cultural differences and racial injustices.
Wokeness is a proclamation and challenge to others, especially those who may be oblivious about discrimination. The challenge is to not give in to pressures from other people and stand firm with those being oppressed.
Woke is often used in the context of "stay woke" or "get woke" and is associated with movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM). In this instance, a woke individual may be a white person who has become aware of privileges they experience because of their skin color.
The term is also politically charged; it is often associated with liberals and denounced by conservatives. You will most likely see or hear it used on social media, in the news, and in in-person discussions regarding race or politics.
❓Example
"Stay woke, brotha, don't let them brainwash you at school."
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🔘 CellfishWhat does cellfish mean?
◻️Inconsiderate of others while talking on the phone
Cellfish is a term used to describe a person who talks on his phone and is rude to the people around him. It combines "cell phone" and "selfish".
A person commonly exhibits cellfish behavior in smaller spaces where strangers are forced to congregate, such as a waiting room, a checkout line, movie theater, or an elevator. Since this person is so engrossed in his phone he is unaware of others.
❓Example
"That dude in line was being so cellfish, no one wants to hear about dislike of your mother-in-law.
Yeah, he used like 5 f-bombs in front of those kids."
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Cellfish means inconsiderate of others while talking on the phone
🔘 Cancel CultureWhat is cancel culture?
◻️Canceling people who do anything controversial
Cancel culture is the desire to ostracize a person or company when they do something disagreeable. It's especially prominent on social sites, like Twitter and Facebook where Internet users band together to "cancel" other objectionable users.
The term became prevalent in 2019 to describe the mobs of Internet users that come together to silence, or "get rid of" others that have done something objectionable.
Cancel culture partially grew out of the #MeToo movement, which began in 2017 when victims of sexual abuse started to publicly come forward to share their stories. While the #MeToo movement provided a platform for victims that was empowering, the swift punishment doled out to those accused led to the growth of cancel culture on the web.
A prominent criticism of "cancel culture" is that people are jumping to conclusions without due diligence. Another criticism is that users are dismissing people for minor transgressions instead of working through differences of perspective to get to a shared understanding.
❓Example
"The cancel culture is attacking our freedom of speech!"
"Not really, you're allowed to say it but now there are more significant consequences, at least online."
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Cancel culture folks remember
🔘 SkolWhat does skol mean?
◻️Good health
Skol is a Scandinavian greeting similar to cheers that means "good health". The term is often used to toast or salute a person.
The term is commonly used in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark when drinking to good health. It appears as "skål" in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish. It is also used in Iceland where it appears as "skál".
In the sports world, skol is famously used by the Minnesota Vikings NFL team as a way to urge the team on to victory. The team uses it in their "Skol, Vikings" fight song and fans often salute each other with the saying. Some believe that the term was used by real Vikings during the middle ages. It comes from "skoll", which is the human skull of a fallen enemy that the victorious Vikings would drink from as a sign of respect.
❓Example
"To long life and happiness. Skol!"
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Skol is often used when drinking a beverage
🔘 Liberal TearsWhat are liberal tears?
◻️Complaints from a liberal
Liberal tears are complaints from a left-leaning person, known as a liberal or Democrat. The complaints are typically about something that a right-leaning person, also known as a conservative or Republican, said or did.
The phrase was created by conservatives to mock liberals as weak, crying whiners who have the IQ of a baby. "Liberal tears" is often used on social sites, like Facebook and Twitter, in response to a leftie politician, activist, or celebrity.
❓Example
"Gimme a break, save your liberal tears for someone who actually cares."
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Trump drinking liberal tears
