the ick
What does the ick mean?
A sudden, often irrational feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were attracted to, usually triggered by a small, specific thing they did.
Origin
Popularised by UK reality TV (Love Island) around 2017 and spread widely on TikTok.
Frequently asked questions
What does "the ick" mean?
A sudden, often irrational feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were attracted to, usually triggered by a small, specific thing they did.
How do you use "the ick" in a sentence?
For example: "He chased the bus and tripped, and honestly I caught the ick right there."
Where does "the ick" come from?
Popularised by UK reality TV (Love Island) around 2017 and spread widely on TikTok. It's generally dated to around 2017.
Is "the ick" Gen Z slang?
Yes — "the ick" is classed as Gen Z slang on FreeDict. A sudden, often irrational feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were attracted to, usually triggered by a small, specific thing they did.