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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A signature prison wound: a razor blade dragged across the cheek from ear to mouth, leaving a permanent scar that takes — legend has it — about 150 stitches to close. Hence 'buck fifty', street slang for $1.50. Often given as a mark of disrespect so the victim wears the verdict for the rest of their life.

To get violently energetic, rowdy, mosh-pit-aggressive. Central to Memphis crunk and Three 6 Mafia's whole live-show energy — see 'Get Buck Muthafucka'. Different vibe from 'getting buck wild' elsewhere; in Memphis it's a specific kinetic command.

A public drinking water fountain. The term is dominant in eastern Massachusetts and eastern Wisconsin — two pockets that, weirdly, share the word while the rest of the country says 'water fountain' or 'drinking fountain'. Often pronounced 'bubblah' in Boston.

A submariner. Used by the rest of the Navy for anyone who serves on submarines — half affectionate, half ribbing. Bubbleheads wear it themselves with pride; surface-fleet sailors (skimmers) use it as a jab.

Affectionate-ish kitchen nickname for the dishwasher. Hands in hot soapy water for an eight-hour shift, dancing around the pit while the line dumps sauté pans on them every 90 seconds. Hardest job in the building, paid the least.

bubble and squeak

Cockney rhyming slang for 'Greek', often used as a nickname for a Greek person (frequently clipped to 'bubble'). In parts of London a 'bubble' just means a Greek Cypriot.

A subscription service that delivers private-style text messages from a chosen idol to subscribed fans. It simulates one-on-one texting with your bias.

Tacked onto any post in a tech server to caricature the Arch Linux user who flexes their setup unprompted. Now used self-deprecatingly by Arch users themselves and ironically by everyone else.

Stands for "by the way," used to add a side note or change the subject casually.

Trader gospel: when the price drops, don't panic — buy more. Originated in equities, adopted with religious fervour by crypto Twitter, where it gets shouted on every red day. Works brilliantly in bull markets and catastrophically in bear markets, where every dip just dips harder.

Acronym for "buy the dip," advising a purchase after a price decline in anticipation of a recovery.

Common in texting and comment sections as a quick disbelief reaction.

In respiratory assessment, refers to the sounds of air moving through the lungs heard on auscultation; context distinguishes it from blood sugar.

Short for "brother," used the way Americans use "bro" or "man." In the UK it's a friendly, everyday way to address a friend.

In Puerto Rico 'brutal' inverts its literal meaning to mean something is fantastic or outstanding. Calling your food or a concert 'brutal' is high praise.

A pitch thrown intentionally close to a batter to 'brush him back' from crowding the plate.

The clumps of foliage dotted around the map. Stand in one and enemies can't see you unless they're in it too or have a ward on it. Sit in the brush, wait, and jump someone who walks past blind.

A feral or wild horse, especially in the Australian outback.

A sawn-off shotgun. From Jamaican patois 'bruck' (broken / cut down) + shot — literally a broken-down shotgun. Carried across from yard culture into UK rap, grime, and drill, where shorter weapons are easier to conceal.

Broken, poor, or in a bad state. From Patois pronunciation of 'broke/broken'.

Stands for "be right there," used to say you're on your way and will arrive shortly.

A benevolent domestic sprite who does chores by night in return for a little food.

A naval aviator or aircrew member, as opposed to a 'black shoe' — the surface warfare officer or sailor working the ship itself. Two tribes in the Navy with the eternal rivalry to match: who really runs the carrier.

Figuratively, finished, done for, beyond saving.