Have you been using your free time to watch YouTube to learn English and improve your understanding of English? Know most of the words and rules of grammar? But what about all the American slang words that come from TV shows, movies, songs, and podcasts?
If you’re a little puzzled, you’re not alone. There are 50 states in the United States, and each one has its own population, personality, and culture. Casual speech in American dialect is an interesting study in and of itself.
Read on to learn about interesting, common, strange, rare, and unique American slang from New York to California to Louisiana to Hawaii and so much more.
In 2024, understanding American slang words and phrases can give you a deeper insight into contemporary culture and enhance your conversational skills. Slang often reflects regional, social, and generational trends, making it a dynamic aspect of language. Here’s a list of over 100 of the best American slang words and phrases that are widely used today:
Why it’s important to learn American slang
People from all walks of life use slang in the United States. Grandparents could use it to talk to their grandchildren better. Different groups of people might feel comfortable using slang among themselves, or they might even do it on purpose to confuse people from outside their group. Influencers and people who want to be influential may try to connect with their audiences by tweeting or making Instagram reels.
In fact, new phrases and words are always being added to the American lexicon, or vocabulary. This is because of important events in the country’s history and its changing population. Even people from the United States can find it hard to keep up, especially if they are smart and don’t use social media.
But if you know a few American slang terms, it will help you:
Better understand American culture
Talk more freely, openly, and expressively, especially in the U.S.
Prevent language misunderstandings
Improve your fluency and your ability to understand and speak conversational American English.
American slang words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hobnob | Socialize with people of an artificially higher status |
| Chill | Relax |
| Popo | Police |
| Fuzz | Police |
| Airhead | Silly/foolish person |
| Cringe | Really embarrassing |
| Copium | Fake drug to help twitch users deal with loss/failure |
| Simp | Person who does too much for who he/she likes |
| Cram | Study like crazy |
| Crash | Sleep/pass out |
| Dms’ | Direct messages |
| Dead | (Such as in a restaurant or bar) no one’s there |
| Steez | Effortless style |
| Spox | Spokesperson |
| Sawbuck | Us$10 |
| A-Game | One’s best |
| Oops! | When someone messes up |
| Dude | A guy |
| Nuts | Crazy |
| Dope! | Cool |
| Yuppie | Young urban professional, white-collar worker |
| White-Collar | High-salary job that doesn’t involve manual labor, such as accountants and lawyers |
| Blue-Collar | Jobs focused on manual labor, such as farmers and miners |
| Cray | Crazy |
| Woke | Aware of potential injustices |
| Poppin’ | Excellent |
| Lit | Drunk, or superb |
| Swole | Very muscular |
| Drip | Fashionable |
| Drownin’ | Unfashionable |
| Salty | Jealous (of someone) |
| Cool | Great |
| Snatched | Nice and cool |
| Yeet! | Expression of excitement |
| Yikes! | No way! It can’t be! |
| Finsta | Fake/Private Instagram account |
| Periodt. | End of discussion (for example, what a parent would say to the child) |
| Flex | Show off |
| Low-key | Modest, something you don’t want emphasized |
| Slay | Excel at, win at |
| Gucci | Trendy |
| Shook | Emotionally bothered/shaken |
| Curve | Rejecting someone’s advances (e.g. from a classmate) |
| Stan | Obsessive fan |
| Sus | Suspect/suspicious |
| Turnt | Intoxicated, energized |
| Bae | A best friend/loved one |
| Fleek | Really good, stylish |
| Cheugy | Out of style |
| Emo | Overly angsty/emotional |
| E-Girl/E-Boy | An emo girl/boy |
| Fam | Family |
| Smol | Small/cute |
| Snack | Someone who’s attractive |
| Wig | That’s so cool! |
| Lewk | Someone’s personal style |
| Hot | Attractive |
| Sick | Cool, great |
| Shady | Suspicious |
| Bomb | Really good, tasty |
| Boujee | Fancy and extravagant |
| Dank | Excellent |
| Flakey | Indecisive |
| Finna | I am going to |
| Ghost | Suddenly start ignoring |
| Hypebeast | Someone who only wants to be popular |
| W | A win |
| L | A loss |
| Whip | Car |
| Hip | Popular, trendy |
| Lemon | Bad person |
| Babe | Attractive woman, your significant other |
| Grub | Food |
| Jacked | Muscular |
| Chicken | Coward |
| Ex | Former girlfriend or boyfriend |
| Whiz | A smart person |
| Dump | End a relationship |
| Jonesing (For) | Really want something |
| Wack | Bad, not cool |
| Score | Get what you want |
| Corny | (Things like movies and jokes) silly |
| Cheesy | (Things like movies and jokes) silly |
| Flick | Movie |
| Bummer | Disappointment |
| Wasted | Intoxicated |
| Booze | Alcohol |
| Yas! |
Here are some American slang words that have grown over time and been shaped by immigration, the media, and current events. They may make you laugh, or they may even make you blush.
Popular American slang phrases
Slang is different in every country and even in different parts of the same country. There are words and phrases that are used all over the U.S., and there are also words and phrases that are used only in certain states or regions.
Before we learn how to talk like we’re from Brooklyn or Chicago, let’s see what works with people from all over the country.
| Slang phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| In the bag | A certainty (usually for something that you want, like in sports or a contest) |
| Once in a blue moon | Rarely |
| You bet | You’re welcome |
| I don’t buy that | I don’t believe you |
| That’s rad | That’s cool |
| Never mind | Let’s change the subject |
| Keep in touch | (When leaving someone) Let’s stay in contact |
| I can’t even! | I can’t tolerate that anymore! |
| No biggie | Not a problem |
| No big deal | Not a problem |
| No sweat | Not a problem |
| Show up | Go to, do better than someone |
| Have a crush (on someone) | Like someone, want to ask someone out on a date |
| Get hitched | Get married |
| Tie the knot | Get married |
| I’m beat | I’m tired |
| Get under one’s skin | Annoy |
| A turn off | Something you don’t like about someone/somewhere |
| Couch potato | Someone who’s always watching tv |
| Party animal | Someone who is always partying |
| Hang out | Spend time with people |
| It sucked | It was bad |
| I’m game | I can join you/I will do it |
| I’m down | I can join you/I will do it |
| I’m in | I can join you/I will do it |
| Have a blast | Having a great time |
| Get fired | Lose one’s job |
| Hit the books | Study |
| Rip (someone) off | Overcharge |
| Ride shotgun | Sit in the front passenger seat |
| The bomb | Excellent |
| Have dibs on | Make a claim on/to |
| Suck up | Win someone’s approval by being servile |
| Kiss ass | Win someone’s approval by being servile |
| Fresh meat | New target for humiliation |
| Loose cannon | Someone dangerously uncontrollable |
| Pass the buck | Make someone else responsible |
| My bad | My mistake |
| Take for granted | Assume |
| Hit the road | Leave (to go somewhere) |
| Go dutch | Every person pays for their own food/drinks |
| Hit the spot | (Said after food/drink) Really satisfying |
| Wrap up | Finish doing something |
| Are you kidding me? | Phrase to represent excitement/frustration |
| Around the clock | All the time, 24 hours a day, 7 seven days a week |
| Take a rain check | Do at a later time |
| What’s up? | How are you? How’s it going? |
| You’re telling me! | I know! |
| All-ears | Has your undivided attention |
| All-nighter | Staying up all night to do homework/chat with friends |
| I’m baby | I’m innocent/cute |
| Glow up | A makeover (transformed from ugly to less ugly) |
| Open up pandora’s box | Cause/start trouble/problems |
| In the zone | Performing as well as or better than one can |
| Tune out | Stop paying attention |
| Armchair CEO | Offering expertise on something in which the speaker lacks |
| Off the hook | Freed from blame |
| Off the chain | Really good |
| Bye, Felicia | Said when you’re done with a conversation. Meaning “that’s it. I’m done.” |
| (To) ace | Excel at (a test) |
| (To) nail | Excel at (a test, a race) |
| (To) screw over | Cheat or exploit someone |
| Amped up | Filled with enthusiasm/energy |
| On point | Relevant and appropriate, really good |
| No cap | Not lying |
| Straight fire | Trendy |
| Spill the tea/spill the beans | Share the gossip/secret |
| Netflix and chill | Watch Netflix and have sex |
| Big mad | Really angry |
| Diamond hands | Taking a major financial risk |
| Fauci ouchie | COVID-19 vaccine |
| Cancel culture | Online shaming/embarrassment of someone due to their views |
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Region-specific American slang
New York slang words and phrases
There are many different subcultures and languages in New York and New York City. And the fascinating part of this rich cultural tapestry that is New York slang.
Listen for some of these phrases and sayings from “The Big Apple” in popular music, TV, and movies.
| New York slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Grill | Angrily stare at someone |
| Real talk | Used to get someone’s attention to talk about something serious |
| Cake/Cheese | Money |
| Mad | Very |
| Frontin’ | Pretending to be skilled to impress others |
| Dead-Ass | Serious about something |
| Tight | Stylish, cool |
| Ratchet | A woman who has made some bad lifestyle choices |
| Brick | Freezing |
| Schmear | Lots of cream cheese |
| Pie | Pizza (pie) |
| Schvitz | Sweating |
| Stoop | Steps in front of a building |
| Dumb | Really, very |
| Gotham | Nickname for New York City (from Batman) |
| Bodega | Small neighborhood shop |
| Cop | Buy, feel (inappropriately) |
| Buggin’ | Acting crazy |
| Ice | Jewelry |
| Wylin’/Wildin’ | Acting crazy |
| Crusty | Unclean |
| Snuff | Hit/punch, drugs |
| Schlep | Impatiently going between places |
| Regular coffee | Coffee made with cream and sugar |
| Have beef | Have a problem with/want to fight with someone |
Words and phrases in the slang of California
Californian slang is a collection of words that are more colorful and have their own style. Here are a few fun examples of Californian slang, but you can find a huge list of all of them here.
| Californian slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Are you down? | Want to do it/join us? |
| NoHo | North Hollywood |
| SigAlert | Traffic alert/warning |
| Yeah no | No |
| SoCal | Southern California |
| NorCal | Northern California |
| Gnarly | Good or bad (depends on the context) |
| Rad | Cool |
| Stoked | Excited |
| Hyphy | Overly excited |
| Outta pocket | Inappropriate |
| Slaps | Really good (music) |
| Yadadamean | Do you know what I mean? |
| Phubbing | Ignoring someone by using their phone |
| Stealth mode | Secret |
| Three commas club | Billionaires |
| Unicorn | A start-up valued at over $1 billion |
| Zombie mood | Staring at one’s phone |
Slang words and phrases from Texas
| exas slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fixin’ to | About to do |
| Bless your heart | Used either to show sympathy, or to soften an insult |
| Might could | Maybe |
| All hat, no cattle | Someone who is arrogant Without anything to show for it |
| Corn-fed | Big/fat (describing people) |
| Dag gum it! | Darn it!/damn it! |
| All git-out | The (for example, best/worst) most extreme of something |
| Pitch a hissy fit | Throw a tantrum/act up |
| Come hell or high water | (Do something) at any cost, no matter if you get injured/make enemies |
| Whole ‘nuther | Entirely different situation |
| Worsh | Wash |
| (Wp/down) Yonder | (Over) there, (down) there (describing a location) |
Florida slang phrases and words
If Ponce de León had found the Fountain of Youth in 1513, it would have given people in Florida something to talk about. At the moment, it’s just a place 90 miles from Cuba.
| Florida slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Acere | Pal, friend, buddy |
| Bih | A person or a thing |
| Bussin | Tasty |
| Dale | Hurry up |
| Florida bath | Swimming in the pool (as opposed to taking a shower) |
| Florida Happy Meal | Something for the adults, like liquor or cigarettes |
| Florida Man | Someone who shows bizarre or stupid behavior |
| Hundid | Hundred |
| Jit | Referring to someone younger than the speaker |
| Oye | Hello |
| Pub sub | Sandwich from Publix supermarket chain |
| Vibin’ | Relaxing |
| Parked in Goofy | When you park your car in the further away parking lot |
Words and phrases from Hawaii
Check out some of this interesting Hawaiian slang if you’ve ever wanted to know more about Don Ho or Duke Kahanamoku.
| Hawaiian slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Manapua | Pork bun |
| Aloha | Hello, goodbye |
| Da Kine | “The kind,” representing a person, place, or something abstract |
| Grindz | Food |
| Hapa | Someone whose ancestry is partially Pacific Islander or East Asian |
| Haole | A non-native Hawaiian, generally a caucasian person |
| Kapu | Prohibited |
| Lolo | Crazy |
| Mahalo | Thank you |
| Shoots! | O.K.!, Understood! |
Words and phrases used in Louisiana slang
French Creole and Catholicism had a big impact on how Louisiana slang came to be. Plus, some of the best food in the country is served there.
| Louisiana slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pinch the tail and suck the head | How you eat crawfish |
| Po’boy | Baguette sandwich |
| Dressed | The way you want your po’boy made |
| Laissez les bon temps rouler (lay-ZEH leh BAWN taw ROO-leh) |
“Let the good times roll”, something said before you’re about to celebrate |
| Throw me somethin’ | What many Mardi Gras attendees say to people on parade floats, when they want souvenirs like beads or necklaces |
| Holy Trinity | (In Cajun cooking) onions, bell peppers, celery |
| Cher | (My) love, (my) dear |
| Snoball | Finely shaved ice with sugar syrup |
| How’s ya mama an’ them? | How are your mother and your family? |
| Envie | A desire to eat something |
| Parish | Louisiana equivalent of county |
| Gris gris | A voodoo term used in jest (for example, “do as your parents tell you, or they might put the gris gris on you”) |
| Lagniappe | Little gift, little extra something |
Words and phrases used in New Jersey slang
The informal and slang words and phrases of the “Garden State” have their own style. Here are some popular ways to talk in New Jersey slang.
| New Jersey slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Down the shore | To the beach (Jersey shore) |
| Disco fries | French fries covered in cheese and gravy |
| Fat sandwich | A sandwich that includes almost everything on the menu |
| Hit the MAC | Go to an ATM to take money out |
| Hoagie | Sandwich on a baguette |
| Exit | Giving directions based on a highway/turnpike exit |
| Benny | Someone from Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, or New York City, invariably causing trouble in the rest of the state |
| Shoobie | Someone from South Jersey, invariably causing trouble in the rest of the state |
| J’eet yet? | Did you eat yet? |
| SPK | Salt, pepper, ketchup |
| Jersey slide | Quickly going from the leftmost lane to the exit (which is on the right) |
| Cabbage night | The night before Halloween when some kid are very mischievous |
| Piney | Someone who lives in the Pine Barrens, a rustic part of the southern coast of the state |
| Tats | Tattoos |
| Twentyregularcash | In New Jersey they don’t pump their own gas, so to get $20 of gas, this phrase is said |
| The Boss | New Jersey-born musician Bruce Springsteen |
| Pork roll | A sandwich made with New Jersey’s own Taylor ham |
| Ripper | Deep-fried hot dog with a slit down the middle |
| The City | Depending on which part of New Jersey you’re in, it’s either New York City or Philadelphia |
Words and phrases used only in Chicago
If you learn some Chicago slang, you’ll soon be able to understand what your new Chicago friends are saying without any awkward silences or misunderstandings.
| Chicago slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Frunchroom | Entertainment space |
| Pop | Soft drink, soda |
| Goes | Past/present-tense of “say” |
| Da | “The” (for example, “da bears”) |
| The lake | Lake Michigan, with which Chicago shares a coastline |
| The bean | The Anish Kapoor sculpture, formally known as Cloud Gate, in Millennium Park |
| The “l” | Elevated train in downtown Chicago |
| Prairie | Vacant lot |
| Grabowski | Blue-collar hard-working type of person |
| LSD | Lakeshore Drive (along Lake Michigan) |
| A couple | A few |
| Yous | Indicates that the speaker is talking to everyone (not just one person) |
| Sammich | Sandwich |
| Grachki | Garage key |
American slang FAQs
I. What are some American text slang abbreviations?
| Text slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tbh | To be honest |
| Hmu | Hit me up |
| Lmk | Let me know |
| Smh | Shake my head |
| Psa | Public service announcement |
| Wbu | What about you? |
| CD9 | Can’t talk; parents are here! |
| OOMF | One of my friends/one of my followers (e.g. on social media) |
| wth | What the hell? |
| a/s/l | Age/sex/location |
| LMIRL | Let’s meet in real life |
| SOB | Son of a bitch |
| GOAT | Greatest of all time |
| BAE | Before anyone else |
| FOMO | Fear of missing out |
| CEO | Chief executive officer |
| TFW | That feeling when |
| OMG | Oh my god |
| ASAP | As soon as possible |
| FYI | For your information |
| LOL | Laugh out loud |
| RSVP | “repondez, s’il vous plait”– please respond |
| SO | Significant other |
| j/k | Just kidding |
II. What is some American slang for money?
- Greenbacks
- Scratch
- Skrilla
- Dough
- Coin
- Greens
- Dead Presidents
- Plata
- Bucks
- Bread
- Cheese
- Wampum
- Pesos
III. What is some other need-to-know New York lingo?
- Subway (referring to the metro train)
- Van Wyck (the highway that goes to JFK airport)
- AirTrain (light rail connecting the subway and JFK airport)
- Hot 97 (97.1FM a rap radio station)
- Flushing (Chinatown)
- Upstate (possibly the most controversial, since it can define anyone from north of the New York City border, although upstate has also meant north of Westchester)
- BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway)
Bonus tips for learning American English slang
Watch a lot of diverse programs catering to many different demographics
Try combining NPR (National Public Radio), sitcoms, Vimeo, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and other social media for greater breadth.
Practice with friends, family, and coworkers, basically whenever you have the chance
There’s never any shame in trying to learn. Making mistakes is part of maturing.
What is your English level?
Find out your A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 level of English with our online test and receive your English certificate.
I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
