An Amazeballs Guide to 2000s Millennial Slang: From the Early Aughts to the β€˜10s

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Relive the new millennium with these once-popular terms
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The first decade of the 2000s was a unique transition from the laid-back era of the 1990s to the dominance of Internet culture in the 2010s. And the slang from the 2000s reflects that! Whether you lived through the 2000s and want to go down memory lane, or you're just curious what people were really saying at the beginning of the millennium, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll go over all the most poppin’ and awesomesauce slang terms used throughout the 2000s and explain where they came from.

Popular Slang Terms of the 2000s: Visual Overview

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An illustrated graphic listing 6 slang terms from the 2000s and their meanings.
  • Bling: Jewelry, sparkles, and other shiny stuff in an outfit.
  • Fo’ Shizzle: β€œFor sure” or β€œdefinitely.”
  • Baller: Awesome, cool, exciting.
  • Peeps: Friends or besties.
  • Sketchy: Not trustworthy; suspicious.
  • Word: Means something is understood or appreciated, similar to β€œok” or β€œawesome.”
1

Amazeballs

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  1. β€œAmazeballs” means something is amazing or good.
    Towards the end of the 2000s, people were coming up with lots of quirky and wacky slang, with β€œamazeballs” being one of the silliest exclamations. It’s a combination of the words β€œamazing” and β€œballs,” and people use it in an exaggerated way to say something is good, excellent, impressive, or cool. It wasn’t totally embraced at the time, with lots of people claiming that it's cringey![1]
    • Origin: It first appeared online in 2008 or 2009β€”bloggers Elizabeth Spiridakis and Perez Hilton both claim to have invented the word.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThis drink is amazeballs. I need about 10 more!”
      • β€œThank you for helping me! You’re amazeballs.”
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2

Awesomesauce

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  1. β€œAwesomesauce” is a way to say that something is impressive or good. β€œAwesomesauce” is another quirky exclamation that’s similar to β€œamazeballs.” You use it to talk about how awesome, amazing, impressive, or great something isβ€”like a friend’s colorful collection of gel bracelets or Christina Aguilera’s newest single.[2]
    • Origin: It first appeared in a 2003 episode of the web series Homestar Runner and stayed popular through the 2010s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œYour bracelets are so awesomesauce! Where’d you get them?”
      • β€œHave you tried that new bakery? It’s awesomesauce.”
3

Baller

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  1. β€œBaller” refers to something cool or someone who’s successful. Saying that something is β€œballer” is another way to say that it’s excellent, cool, or stylish, whether you’re talking about your new pair of Heelys or a friend’s sick skateboarding move.[3] A β€œballer” is also an admirable way to refer to someone who’s rich, stylish, successful, and lives an extravagant lifestyle.[4]
    • Origin: It was first used in the 1980s and 90s to refer to basketball players, where it was popularized by hip-hop and rap artists who admired the players’ lifestyles. The term slowly morphed into meaning β€œexcellent” or β€œsuccessful” in the early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œYour sunglasses are so baller, bro.”
      • β€œDid you see his car? He’s an absolute baller.”
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4

Beast

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  1. β€œBeast” means someone is strong or skilled at something. No, we’re not talking about wild animals or scary monsters. β€œBeast” is a positive way to say that someone is extremely good at something, usually a sport or physical skill. For instance, you might hear someone say that Tiger Woods is a β€œbeast” on the fairway or that Shaun White is a β€œbeast” on the half-pipe.[5]
    • Origin: It was first used in the early 2000s. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, β€œbeast mode” became the dominant way of describing someone as powerful or skilled.
    • Examples:
      • β€œYou’re a beast at basketball, bro. You’re gonna go pro.”
      • β€œShe’s a beast with that sabre. She’s beaten every other fencer.”
5

Biatch (Biotch or Beyotch)

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  1. β€œBiatch,” β€œbiotch,” and β€œbeyotch” are another way to say β€œbtch.”
    These slang words are an exaggerated way of saying β€œbtch.” They can be used as a humorous term of endearment for your pals, or as an offensive term to insult or demean someone. You hear them used in lot of popular 2000s TV shows and movies, like Chappelle’s Show (β€œI’m rich, biatch!”) and Mean Girls (β€œIt’s just gonna be a few cool people, and you better be one of them, biatch.”)[6]
    • Origin: β€œBiatch” is African American Vernacular English (AAVE) slang that was first used in the 1980s and 90s by hip-hop and rap artists. It entered mainstream popularity in the early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI’ve missed you, biatch. Don’t leave me for too long again!”
      • β€œYou’re gonna come out with us and have fun, biatch!”
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6

Bling

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  1. β€œBling” refers to flashy and expensive jewelry and accessories. All things glitzy and shiny are considered β€œbling,” from thick diamond necklaces to rhinestone-encrusted Ed Hardy sunglasses.[7] You might call someone decked in jewels β€œblinged out” or totally β€œblingy.”[8]
    • Origin: β€œBling” was first used in rapper B.G.’s 1999 track β€œBling Bling” (featuring Cash Money Millionaires) and gained popularity in the early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œDid you see all her bling? She’s gotta be worth millions.”
      • β€œLove the blinged out look. Where’s your necklace from?”
7

The Bomb Dot Com

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  1. β€œThe bomb dot com” means something is amazing or awesome. β€œBomb” was a way of saying that something is good or excellent in the 1990s, so β€œthe bomb dot com” was people’s way of bringing the phrase into the twenty-first century. The phrase references the growing popularity of the internet and it rhymes, so what’s not to love?
    • Origin: Unclear, but likely the early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThis ice cream is the bomb dot com!”
      • β€œBritney’s music video is the bomb dot com!”
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8

Boss

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  1. β€œBoss” means that something or someone is excellent. β€œBoss” has been a slang term since at least the early 1900s, but it gained newfound popularity in the 2000s. Saying that someone or something is β€œboss” or β€œlike a boss” is another way to say that they’re excellent, cool, or extremely skilled. The term was popularized by Slim Thug’s track β€œLike a Boss” in 2005 and The Lonely Island’s parody song, β€œLike a Boss,” in 2009.[9]
    • Origin: Hip-hop artists like Ice Cube, Das EFX, and Slim Thug brought β€œboss” to the mainstream culture in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThose boots are totally boss.”
      • β€œYou’re a boss on the soccer field, Amari!”
9

Bounce

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  1. β€œBounce” means β€œto leave.” When someone says, β€œLet’s bounce” or β€œI gotta bounce,” they’re saying that it’s time to head out and leave wherever they’re currently at. It’s often used to imply that the place you’re at isn’t fun and somewhere else is probably more exciting. Basically, it’s the cool, 2000s way of saying, β€œLet’s go” or β€œI’ve got to go.”[10]
    • Origin: It got its start in the 1990s, but stayed popular throughout the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œLet’s bounce, I’m kinda bored.”
      • β€œSorry, I gotta bounce. I have to work early tomorrow.”
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10

Bromance

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  1. β€œBromance” refers to a close, non-romantic relationship between 2 men.
    The 2000s was the decade of the β€œbromance,” which is a combination of the words β€œbrother” (or β€œbro”) and β€œromance.” It simply describes 2 guys who have a very close, loving bond but aren’t romantically involved; basically, they’re best buds! Think: J.D. and Turk from Scrubs (and their real-life counterparts) or Chandler and Joey from Friends.[11]
    • Origin: It was first used in 2001.
    • Examples:
      • β€œTheir bromance was the best part of the movie.”
      • β€œTheir bromance is so cute. They do everything together.”
11

Chillax

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  1. β€œChillax” means β€œcalm down” or β€œtake it easy.” While technically 1990s slang, β€œchillax” was also popular in the 2000s. This term is a combination of the words β€œchill” and β€œrelax.” It’s the ultra laid-back way of telling someone to calm down, sit back, and relax, or to say that you’re totally chilled and just hanging out.
    • Origin: It was first used in 1994.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI can’t wait to chillax after work.”
      • β€œLet’s just chillax tomorrow! I don’t want to do anything.”
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12

Cool Beans

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  1. β€œCool beans” is a way to express excitement, agreement, or approval. Saying β€œCool beans!” is like saying, β€œokay,” β€œgreat,” or β€œawesome!” You usually say it in response to hearing something cool, like when finding out that Spider-Man 2 is hitting the theatres this summer, or to express your agreement or approval, like hearing that your older sister is dropping you off at the mall.[12]
    • Origin: It was used in the 1960s and 70s, but wasn’t really popularized until DJ Tanner made it her catchphrase on Full House in the 1990s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œYou got a Wii? Cool beans!”
      • β€œWe’re going to get ice cream? Cool beans!”
13

Crunk

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  1. β€œCrunk” can mean β€œexcited” or β€œintoxicated.” If someone tells you that they want to β€œget crunk,” they’re saying that they want to get wild, party, and possibly partake in some alcohol or cannabis (in some contexts, β€œcrunk” is short for β€œcrazy and drunk”). Hip-hop artists and rappers like Lil Jon are credited for bringing β€œcrunk” into the mainstream lexicon.[13]
    • Origin: β€œCrunk” is AAVE slang that comes from the word β€œcrank,” which means β€œto get excited.” It started gaining traction in the 1990s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œIt’s the weekend and there’s a party tonight. Let’s get crunk!”
      • β€œI got way too crunk last night!”
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14

Dawg

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  1. β€œDawg” is a term of endearment for a close friend. Calling someone β€œdawg” is similar to calling them β€œdude,” β€œman,” β€œbro,” β€œbuddy,” or β€œpal.” While it’s technically a gender neutral term, it’s usually used to refer to a close male friend. People often use it to refer to guys in general, too.
    • Origin: It likely comes from AAVE slang and was first used in the early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œWhat’s up, dawg? How ya been?”
      • β€œI missed you, dawg!”
15

Epic Fail

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  1. β€œEpic fail” is a way to refer to a huge mistake, disaster, or embarrassment.
    Did you burn the cake for your nephew’s first birthday party? Epic fail. Did the drama club get all their lines wrong at the end of the year play? Epic fail. Got the picture? β€œEpic fail” is simply a humorous way to describe something that went completely wrong and was probably just a tad embarrassing or humiliating.[14]
    • Origin: β€œEpic fail” was primarily used by gamers on Internet forums like 4chan in the early 2000s. It didn’t hit mainstream popularity until the late 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThe soufflΓ© was an epic fail, it didn’t even puff up at all.”
      • β€œThe grand opening was an epic fail…no one showed up!”
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16

Fo’ Shizzle

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  1. β€œFo’ shizzle” means β€œfor sure” or β€œdefinitely.” Basically, β€œfo’ shizzle” is the 2000s way of expressing affirmation enthusiastically. Adding β€œ-izzle” to the end of words was a popular practice by rappers in the 1990s, so this is simply the way you say, β€œFor sure!”[15]
    • Origin: β€œFo’ shizzle” was coined by Snoop Dogg in 2000 and it became one of his most iconic catchphrases. A similar term, β€œfo’ sheezy,” was used by rapper E-40 in the 1990s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œFo’ shizzle, I can pick you up.”
      • β€œOh, fo’ shizzle. This is Justin Timberlake’s best song.”
17

Holla

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  1. β€œHolla” is an exclamation, or it means to contact someone. You might shout β€œHolla!” to express your excitement about something, to greet someone enthusiastically, or to get someone’s attention. It’s also common to say β€œholla at me,” which is a way to ask someone to call or text you.
    • Origin: β€œHolla” most likely comes from the word β€œholler,” which means β€œto shout.” It was first used as slang for β€œcontact me” in 2003, and it may have AAVE origins.[16]
    • Examples:
      • β€œI got us tickets to the concert! Holla!”
      • β€œHolla at me when you’re free!”
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18

In Your Face

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  1. β€œIn your face” is a way to taunt someone and gloat about your success. β€œIn your face” is a teasing phrase or insult that you say after beating someone in something, like after you win a close game of Mario Kart: Double Dash against your pal. This is a way to rub in your victory and basically, call the other person a loser.[17]
    • Origin: It was first used at sports games in the 1970s and 80s, though it gained more mainstream popularity in the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œIn your face! Told you I was going to win!”
      • β€œI knew I was right! In your face!”
19

Kewl

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  1. β€œKewl” is a slangy way of writing β€œcool.” β€œKewl” is simply a ~cooler~ way of spelling β€œcool.” You use it in the same way to say that something is great, excellent, or stylish, like when admiring your friend’s Lizzie McGuire-inspired hairdo, or to express your agreement, like okaying your pal’s decision to watch The Lord of the Rings over the weekend again.
    • Origin: It was first used in the 1990s, but popularized in the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThose hair clips are so kewl!”
      • β€œThe effects in that movie were so kewl.”
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20

Le

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  1. β€œLe” is a funny addition to words, and is used a lot in memes.
    Adding β€œle” (which is the French word for β€œthe”) to the beginning of ordinary words is a common 2000s practice. Since the French language is often seen as sophisticated to non-speakers, saying β€œI’m le tired” or β€œle party was fun” is a silly or mocking way to make something sound more refined (even if β€œle” isn’t used correctly!). β€œLe” gained further popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s in various rage comics.[18]
    • Origin: β€œLe” was first used in a 2003 animation created by Jason Windsor called Ze End of the World.
    • Examples:
      • β€œLe beach sounds nice, I could use a vacation.”
      • β€œI’m le hungry. Can we eat soon?”
21

Mega

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  1. β€œMega” means something is really great or cool. Basically, β€œmega” is a way to say that something is super awesome or excellent. People usually add it in front of other words to add emphasis to what they’re saying, like β€œthat Paris Hilton is mega rich” or β€œthe party was mega fun.”[19]
    • Origin: It gained popularity in the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI’m mega excited for the party tomorrow!”
      • β€œDid you see that guy? He’s mega hot.”
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22

Metrosexual

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  1. β€œMetrosexual” refers to a guy who’s well-groomed and fashionable. β€œMetrosexual” is a popular 2000s slang term that’s fallen to the wayside in recent years. It was primarily used to describe straight men who engaged in activities that were seen as stereotypically feminine, like getting facials or shopping for clothes. Unfortunately, it was often used as an insult or to mock guys for liking these activities.[20]
    • Origin: The term (which is a combination of β€œmetropolitan” and β€œheterosexual”) was coined by writer Mark Simpson in the 1990s, but it didn’t gain popularity until the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œHe always looks so put together. He has a total metrosexual vibe.”
      • β€œI love a metro guy who looks after his appearance.”
23

Newbie/Noob

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  1. β€œNewbie” or β€œnoob” refers to someone who’s inexperienced at something. Calling someone a β€œnewbie” or β€œnoob” is another way to say they’re new to doing something. You usually use it in a derogatory way to indicate that they’re not very good at whatever they’re doing, and annoying because of it.[21]
    • Origin: β€œNewbie” was coming online in the 1980s, but β€œnoob” didn’t break out until the 1990s. It gained further popularity with online gaming and forums in the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThis total noob is keeping us from winning the game.”
      • β€œCan you help her? She’s a total noob at texting.”
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24

No Doubt

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  1. β€œNo doubt” is a way to express agreement. In other words, saying β€œno doubt” means the same thing as β€œyeah,” β€œyep,” or β€œfor sure!” It’s definitely a more chill and relaxed way to say that you agree with someone and have no problem going along with what they said.[22]
    • Origin: Unclear, but it may have gained popularity in songs by hip-hop artists and rappers like Wu-Tang Clan.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThat was the best movie I’ve ever seen.” β€œNo doubt.”
      • β€œWanna hang out tomorrow?” β€œNo doubt.”
25

No Sh*t, Sherlock

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  1. β€œNo sht, Sherlock” is a sarcastic way to say that something’s obvious.
    If your friend says, β€œLook, it’s raining” while you’re getting soaked in a torrential downpour, you might retort back, β€œNo sht, Sherlock.” This is a humorous and sarcastic way to say that someone’s observation is super super obvious or already known by everyone else with common sense.[23]
    • Origin: It’s a play on the popular character Sherlock Holmes, who is known for his incredible detective skills. This phrase may have been used as early as the 1960s and was still popular in the 2000s!
    • Examples:
      • β€œYou’re cold? No sh*t Sherlock, you’re not wearing a coat!”
      • β€œI’m hungry.” β€œNo sh*t Sherlock, I can hear your stomach growling.”
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26

Owned/Pwned

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  1. β€œOwned” or β€œpwned” refers to thoroughly defeating someone at something. As a slang term primarily used in gaming, you might just shout, β€œYou got owned” over your headset after beating the enemy team in Halo 2. Both β€œowned” and β€œpwned” (which is simply a misspelling of β€œowned”) are gloating phrases that mean you utterly demolished or destroyed someone.[24]
    • Origin: β€œOwned” was first used by hackers in the 1990s, where it referred to gaining control of someone’s computer. It was adopted by gamers in the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œBro, I owned you! Are you actually trying to beat me?”
      • β€œYou just got pwned! Good luck trying to win the next game.”
27

Peace Out

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  1. β€œPeace out” means β€œgoodbye” or β€œto leave.” While technically slang from the 1980s and 90s, β€œpeace out” stuck around for the 2000s, too. This is a casual way to say goodbye to your friends, which is often accompanied by the peace sign hand gesture (✌️). You can also use β€œpeace out” to tell someone that you have to get going.[25]
    • Origin: The first instance of β€œpeace out” may have been in the Beastie Boys' 1989 track 3-Minute Rule.
    • Examples:
      • β€œPeace out! I’ll see you guys on Monday!”
      • β€œI’m getting pretty tired, so I’m gonna peace out.”
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28

Peeps

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  1. β€œPeeps” refers to your friends or acquaintances. β€œPeeps” is simply a short way of saying β€œpeople.” However, it doesn’t usually refer to any sort of peopleβ€”you typically use it when talking about your close friends, family members, or acquaintances. So, it’s similar to saying β€œhomies,” β€œbros,” or β€œpals.”[26]
    • Origin: It dates back to the 1950s, but it gained mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI’m just hangin’ with the peeps if you want to come over, too.”
      • β€œMy peeps got my back and I’ve got theirs.”
29

Photobombing

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  1. β€œPhotobombing” refers to jumping in someone else’s picture as a joke. While photobombing has probably existed since cameras were invented, it didn’t become a term until the 2000s. It refers to getting into a camera’s frame while someone’s getting their picture taken, whether they’re a friend or a stranger. The photobomb can be a subtle as making a funny face in the background or as outrageous as jumping into the frame.[27]
    • Origin: It was first used in 2008.
    • Examples:
      • β€œOMG this random guy totally photobombed our family pictures.”
      • β€œI can’t stop laughing at this pic that Amber photobombed us in!”
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30

Poppin’

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  1. β€œPoppin’” means something is cool, awesome, or stylish.
    If someone tells you that your outfit or makeup is β€œpoppin’,” take that as a huge compliment! This trendy term means that something is standing or popping out in a good way and looks totally cool or awesome.[28]
    • Origin: It comes from AAVE slang and was made popular in the 2000s in songs by Lil Mama (Lip Gloss) and Chris Brown (Poppin’).
    • Examples:
      • β€œYour eyeshadow is poppin’ tonight!”
      • β€œThat necklace is poppin’! You look great.”
31

Rawr

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  1. β€œRawr” is a playful way to express affection. The emo and scene subcultures were big in the 2000s, and β€œrawr” may have been one of their biggest contributions. This bit of quirky, ~random~ slang is meant to imitate the sound of a dinosaur and express how they might say, β€œI love you” to one another. So, people say it to each other to express their own affection, too.[29]
    • Origin: β€œRawr” gained popularity in the mid-2000s, where it usually accompanied cutesy pictures of dinosaurs.
    • Examples:
      • β€œRawr means β€˜I love you’ in dinosaur xD”
      • β€œRawr! I miss you <3”
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32

β€˜Rents

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  1. β€œβ€˜Rents” is a short way to say β€œparents.” If you’re looking for a casual way to refer to your parents, β€œβ€˜rents” is the answer. Kids and teens usually say it when referencing their mom and dad, rather than calling their parental units β€œβ€˜rents” directly to their faces.[30]
    • Origin: Not very clear, but it may have been used in the 1980s and 90s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œUgh, my β€˜rents grounded me for staying out past my curfew.”
      • β€œMy β€˜rents annoy me so bad sometimes, but I guess they could be worse.”
33

Selfie

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  1. β€œSelfie” refers to a photo that you take just of yourself. With the rise of camera phones and webcams in the 2000s, people started to take more and more pictures of themselves. So, the term β€œselfie” was born (which likely comes from the term β€œself-portrait). It describes a photo that you take just of yourself, which you often post on social media.[31]
    • Origin: β€œSelfie” was first used in 2002 on an Australian forum website.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI looked good last night so I took a billion selfies.”
      • β€œYou look great in that selfie! Post it!”
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34

Sick

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  1. β€œSick” means β€œcool,” β€œawesome,” or β€œexcellent.” While getting sick might be bad, saying that something is sick is quite the opposite. It’s another way to say that something is cool, amazing, awesome, excellent, or stylishβ€”like your friend’s puka shell necklace or the newest episode of Lost.[32]
    • Origin: It got its start in the 1980s and gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œLoving the new haircut! You look sick!”
      • β€œYou got into Harvard? That’s so sick!”
35

Sketchy

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  1. β€œSketchy” means something is suspicious or untrustworthy.
    If something or someone is raising red flags, you might say it’s β€œsketchy.”[33] This is another way to say that it appears unreliable, untrustworthy, or unsafe. For instance, you might call a piece of pizza that’s been left out all night β€œsketchy,” or refer to a part of town that sees a lot of break-ins as β€œsketchy.”[34]
    • Origin: β€œSketchy” likely comes from the word β€œsketch,” which refers to a drawing that’s not finished and undetailed. It’s been around for a while, possibly as early as the 1800s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI don’t know about going to that sushi place, it seems kinda sketchy.”
      • β€œLet’s take a different road. That one has no lights and seems sketchy.”
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36

Smexy

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  1. β€œSmexy” means someone is both smart and sexy. Officially, β€œsmexy” is a blend between the words β€œsmart” and β€œsexy.” So, it describes someone who’s a total hottie and intelligent, to boot. β€œSmexy” can also be a fun, different way of saying β€œsexy.”[35]
    • Origin: β€œSmexy” was used as early as 1997, though the β€œsmart and sexy” definition didn’t appear until 2004.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThere was a gorgeous guy in the library today, he was totally smexy.”
      • β€œWoah, you’re looking smexy in that dress!”
37

Sweet

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  1. β€œSweet” expresses amazement or approval. You use β€œsweet” in a similar way to other 2000s staple slang, like β€œcool beans” or β€œsick.” It’s a way to say that something is super cool, awesome, or amazing, like your neighbor’s β€œsweet” convertible. You can also use β€œsweet” to express your agreement or approval about something.[36]
    • Origin: It’s unclear, but β€œsweet” was likely around in the 1980s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œThat new Nintendo DS looks pretty sweet.”
      • β€œThe new season of One Tree Hill comes on today!” β€œSweet!”
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38

Take a Chill Pill

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  1. β€œTake a chill pill” is a way to tell someone to relax. If someone’s getting upset or agitated and it’s starting to bother you, you might ask them to β€œtake a chill pill.” You’re not telling them to take a literal pill, though. You’re just asking them to take a deep breath, calm down, and relax.[37]
    • Origin: It originated in the 1980s, but was still widely used in the 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œStop freaking out and take a chill pill, please.”
      • β€œTake a chill pill. We’re not going to be late, I promise.”
39

Talk to the Hand

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  1. β€œTalk to the hand” means you don’t want to listen to someone. This is a rude but slightly humorous way of dismissing someone and telling them that you’re not interested in hearing them speak anymore. Instead of talking to you face-to-face, they can speak to your hand (which, of course, has no ears or mouth). You usually push your palm into the other person’s face when you say this, too.[38]
    • Origin: It was popularized in the 1990s, likely coming from the TV show Martin.
    • Examples:
      • β€œTalk to the hand because the face ain’t listening.”
      • β€œI’m tired of this. Talk to the hand.”
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40

Tight

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  1. β€œTight” means something is cool, excellent, or awesome.
    Saying that something is β€œtight” is similar to saying that it’s β€œsick,” β€œsweet,” or β€œcool beans.” For instance, you might describe your friend’s newest longboarding trick as β€œtight” or call Green Day’s newest album β€œtight.”[39]
    • Origin: β€œTight” was first used in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œWoah, that trick you did was so tight!”
      • β€œIt’s so tight that we get to stay home from school tomorrow.”
41

That’s Hot

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  1. β€œThat’s hot” means something is amazing or cool. While β€œthat’s hot” was used in the 1990s, there’s no denying that it was made popular by Paris Hilton in the 2000s. Her iconic catchphrase (which she trademarked in 2007) is an ultra-cool way of saying that you like something or find it really awesome or amazing.[40]
    • Origin: Likely the 1990s, but popularized in the 2000s by Paris Hilton.
    • Examples:
      • β€œDid you see how he threw away his trash? That’s hot.”
      • β€œWearing my Converse with my dress? That’s hot.”
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42

Totes

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  1. β€œTotes” is a shortened way of saying β€œtotally.” Like β€œtotally,” you can use β€œtotes” to add emphasis to what you’re saying, or to express your agreement or approval. It’s totes versatile, can you believe it? β€œTotes” also led to the creation of the silly phrase β€œtotes McGotes” in 2009, which stayed popular throughout the 2010s.[41]
    • Origin: Likely around 2006, though it may have been used earlier.[42]
    • Examples:
      • β€œThat dress is totes cute on you.”
      • β€œWe should get pizza tonight.” β€œTotes, that sounds amazing.”
43

T9 Abbreviations

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  1. T9 abbreviations refer to texting slang like β€œl8r.” While they originated in the 1990s, T9 abbreviations were still popular in the early 2000s. T9 refers to the keypad on cell phones where each number corresponds to different letters. To make texting quicker, people used shortcuts to represent their words, like β€œc u” (β€œsee you”) and β€œl8r” (β€œlater”), as well as acronyms like β€œlol” (β€œlaugh out loud), β€œlmk” (β€œlet me know”), and β€œbtw” (β€œby the way).[43]
    • Origin: The mid-1990s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œC u l8r, alig8r!”
      • β€œGtg, ttyl!”
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44

Word

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  1. β€œWord” is a way to acknowledge or agree with someone. β€œWord” is used similarly to β€œokay” or β€œcool”—you typically say it to show someone that you heard what they said. You can also use it similarly to β€œexactly” to express your agreement with what someone said, too.[44]
    • Origin: Unclear, but it’s been used since at least the early 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œI’m coming to pick you up at 5.” β€œWord.”
      • β€œ50 Cent is the best rapper right now.” β€œWord.”
45

Yo Mama

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  1. β€œYo mama” is a joking way to insult someone’s mother.
    β€œYo mama” is the set-up to a joke that is meant to insult or diss someone’s mom. Most jokes poke fun at their mom’s appearance, intelligence, and age. They’re usually pretty cheesy and silly, so they’re meant to be taken as a piece of lighthearted comedy rather than a genuine attempt to taunt someone into a fight.[45]
    • Origin: These jokes stem from a game called the dozens, which is primarily played in Black communities.[46] Jokes starting with β€œyo mama” gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.
    • Examples:
      • β€œYo mama is so old, her birth certificate has expired.”
      • β€œYo mama is so dumb, when she heard it was chilly out, she grabbed a bowl.”
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/amazeballs
  2. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/awesomesauce
  3. ↑ Kiera Ayres. Test Prep Instructor. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/baller/
  5. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/beast-mode/
  6. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/biatch
  7. ↑ Kiera Ayres. Test Prep Instructor. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/bling
  9. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/like-a-boss/
  1. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=let's+bounce
  2. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/bromance
  3. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/cool-beans/
  4. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/crunk
  5. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/epic-fail
  6. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fo-shizzle
  7. ↑ https://www.etymonline.com/word/holla
  8. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/in-your-face
  9. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/le
  10. ↑ https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/mega
  11. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/metrosexual
  12. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/noob
  13. ↑ https://rapdictionary.com/meaning/no-doubt/
  14. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=No+Shit,+Sherlock
  15. ↑ https://slang.net/meaning/owned
  16. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=peace+out
  17. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/peeps
  18. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photobomb
  19. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/poppin/
  20. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/rawr-xd
  21. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7610006.stm
  22. ↑ https://www.oed.com/dictionary/selfie_n?tl=true
  23. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/gnarly-nasty-sick-synonyms/
  24. ↑ Kiera Ayres. Test Prep Instructor. Expert Interview
  25. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sketchy
  26. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/smexy/
  27. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sweet
  28. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/chill-pill
  29. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1453_uptodate3/page19.shtml
  30. ↑ https://greensdictofslang.com/entry/odoumxq
  31. ↑ https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/paris-hilton-thats-hot-catchphrase-origin-memoir-book
  32. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/totes-mcgotes/
  33. ↑ https://www.oed.com/dictionary/totes_adv?tl=true
  34. ↑ https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse374/24wi/homeworks/hw5/spec/
  35. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Word
  36. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/yo-mama-jokes/
  37. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-dozens

About This Article

Kiera Ayres
Co-authored by:
Kiera Ayres
English Language Teacher
This article was co-authored by Kiera Ayres and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Kiera Ayres is a test prep instructor and English teacher based in Vancouver, BC. With over 10 years of experience teaching English, Kiera primarily works with clients learning English as a second language who are interested in immigrating to Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the UK. In 2020, she founded PROFessional PREParation, a test prep platform offering engaging, high-quality materials to support IELTS and CELPIP studies, as well as general English learning. Kiera has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Thompson Rivers University. This article has been viewed 18,219 times.
6 votes - 77%
Co-authors: 2
Updated: July 1, 2026
Views:Β 18,219
Categories: English Dialects and Slang
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 18,219 times.

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