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

The contorted, scrunched expression that takes over your face automatically when a filthy bass line or drop hits hard.

0.01%. One hundred basis points = 1%. Used everywhere interest rates, yields and fees live, because 'the Fed hiked 25 basis points' is unambiguous while 'a quarter percent of a percent' isn't. Written 'bp' or 'bps', said 'bip' or 'beep' on desks.

Describes someone or something seen as boringly mainstream and predictable, following popular trends without originality.

A big, lively party or dance; also used as an adjective for energetic party-style dancehall music.

British hospital slang for the small extra payment a doctor pockets for writing a medical report for the police after an assault victim turns up in A&E. A quiet earner on top of the NHS wage. Pure dark humour: someone got bashed, doc gets the cash.

The flat metal plate of a truck that bolts directly to the underside of the deck and holds the rest of the truck assembly.

based and redpilled

Praise pasted under a take the commenter agrees with and considers both unflinchingly self-confident (based) and revealing of a hidden truth the mainstream won't admit (redpilled). 4chan-origin, now half-ironic across Discord, Twitter and Reddit — increasingly hard to tell if any given use is sincere.

A purchased item of clothing that a cosplayer heavily modifies as the starting point for a character costume, rather than sewing from scratch.

A trick where, while airborne, the rider takes one hand off the bars and spins them a full rotation before catching them again and riding away. A staple of park and street riding.

As an exclamation, 'bars!' shouted to celebrate an especially good line.

Very good, excellent; particularly Edinburgh usage.

The hood — but specifically a Latino one. Carries pride, history and a sense of belonging more than the flat English 'neighbourhood' ever could. Where you're from, who raised you, who's got your back.

Being rolled and spun by the churning water of a breaking wave after a wipeout; the washing-machine feeling of a hold-down.

The effect when a wave rolls over and encloses a temporary horizontal tunnel of air. Riding inside it is the ultimate surfing experience.

The Barras — the open-air weekend market in Glasgow's East End around the Gallowgate. Named for the barrows traders used to wheel their gear about. Knock-off trainers, dodgy DVDs, vintage gold and the legendary Barrowland Ballroom upstairs.

A service member who stays in the barracks during liberty instead of going out into town.

barracks lawyer

A junior service member who loudly claims expertise in military law and regulations, usually to argue his way out of things.

Baron Nashor — the major objective in the river pit. Kill it and your whole team gets a buff that empowers minions and supercharges your push. Taking Baron is usually the setup for ending the game.

The hair. 'Barnet Fair' rhymes with 'hair', and is clipped to 'Barnet', dropping the rhyme.

Often used when talking about a haircut or messy hair.

A soft, round bread roll — the vessel for a proper Manc chip butty or bacon sarnie. From 'barm', the foam off fermenting yeast originally used to leaven the dough. Fighting words across the North: barm in Manchester, bap in Liverpool, breadcake in Yorkshire, roll in the South. Pick the wrong one in the wrong city at your peril.

Properly filthy. Caked in dirt to the point it's almost a second skin. Used on weans, footballers, and anything that's been near a puddle.

Used to reject something tacky, embarrassing, or distasteful.

bare minimum mondays

A practice of starting the workweek with small, low-pressure tasks and minimal expectations to reduce stress and burnout. The idea is to ramp up gently rather than sprint from Monday morning.