Pop
psych
What does psych mean?
As a verb, to psych someone is to mentally trick or fake them out.
"He totally psyched me with that fake handshake."
Origin
Short for 'psyche' (to psych out / mentally manipulate), it became a schoolyard fake-out exclamation in 1980s America. 'Sike' is a common phonetic spelling that spread in later decades.
Frequently asked questions
What does psych mean in slang?
It's said right after a fake-out to mean 'just kidding, I tricked you.' It cancels whatever you just claimed.
Is it spelled psych or sike?
Both exist. 'Psych' is the original 80s spelling; 'sike' is the phonetic version that became popular later.
What does psych mean on TikTok?
Same as ever — it's used in fake-out videos to reveal the previous statement was a joke or bait.
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