Street
act
What does act mean?
Short for Actavis, the pharmaceutical company whose promethazine-codeine syrup was the gold standard for lean until they pulled it from the US market in 2014. Pre-2014 Actavis bottles still trade for hundreds because the formula was that sought-after. Name-dropping act on a song is a flex — you've got the original recipe.
"Pint of act in the cup, ain't sipping nothing else tonight."
Origin
Shortening of Actavis, the pharmaceutical brand that discontinued its US promethazine-codeine syrup in 2014, instantly making remaining bottles a status symbol.
Frequently asked questions
What does "act" mean as slang?
It's a street name for Actavis promethazine-codeine cough syrup, a prized ingredient for making lean.
How is "act" used in a sentence?
"He was after some act to pour up."
Is "act" a drug reference?
Yes — it refers to codeine cough syrup used recreationally, so it points to a controlled, potentially dangerous substance.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
