English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Slang Dictionary — Modern Slang, Decoded

What does that word actually mean? Our slang dictionary explains modern slang clearly — Gen Z, internet, British and street slang — with real definitions, examples and where each term came from.

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Gen Z Slangrizz, delulu, slay Internet Slangbrainrot, based, mid British Slangpeng, bare, peak AAVEbussin, finna, cap

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Latest slang terms

In the northeast (Geordie), nice, pleasant, or good.

cannonball delts

Noticeably large, round deltoid muscles that pop out from the shoulders like cannonballs.

Soldiers, historically infantry, sent into battle with the expectation that they will be killed — regarded by commanders as expendable.

In American underworld slang a 'cannon' is a pickpocket, especially an expert one. The racket itself is 'on the cannon.'

A large, cigar-shaped cannabis roll, typically made of pressed flower wrapped in a cannabis or hemp leaf and sometimes dipped in concentrate, meant to burn for a long time.

Describes someone curious about exploring cannabis who has little or no prior experience.

The family of chemical compounds in cannabis that interact with the body's receptors to produce effects.

Someone who's the champ, the best, top dog at what they do; also used for an attractive, high-status person. Popular in reggaeton.

A down-and-out bailiff hired to carry out evictions of miners in hard times.

A multi-layer translucent paint finish — typically a metallic base coat under several coats of tinted clear — that makes a car look glassy, jewel-toned, and a foot deep. Reds, blues, greens, oranges so bright they look digital. Born in West Coast lowrider culture, perfected in Houston on slabs, and immortalized in tracks like Paul Wall's 'Sittin' Sidewayz.'

Used loosely and jokingly to dramatically reject anything.

To withdraw support from a public figure or brand after offensive conduct, often via social media pressure. The broader phenomenon is "cancel culture."

To publicly boycott or denounce a person over objectionable behaviour, often as a coordinated fandom action.

canberra bubble

The self-referential world of politicians, staffers and press-gallery journalists in the national capital, out of touch with ordinary voters.

canary in the coal mine

An early indicator that signals a larger problem is coming.

The police, the cops (collectively 'la cana'), or a single policeman. The source is debated; the Academia Portena del Lunfardo notes possible links to French argot 'canne' or to 'cana' (gray hair/old guard), without fixing one.

can't never could

A homespun maxim: those who say they can't never accomplish anything—so think positive.

An air trick where the rider takes one foot off its pedal, kicks that leg over the top tube to the other side, then returns it before landing. It is named for the high-kicking dance.

A call for agreement or solidarity, expecting a yes.

A situation that, once started, creates many new complications.

A high, lazy fly ball that is very easy for a fielder to catch.

can devs do something

A meme complaint aimed at a project's developers to "do something" about poor price action, as if code could move markets.

Hiding in a fixed position and waiting for enemies to walk by so you can pick them off, instead of moving and fighting. Considered cheap or cowardly by most players.

Guests who park at a table well past the meal — coffee long gone, check dropped twice — while a wait list stares daggers at the host stand. Front-of-house's nightmare on a Saturday turn. Kills covers, kills tips, kills morale.