1990s

/awl that/

Excellent; impressive

Origin: African American slang, 90s mainstream

"She thinks she's all that."

/awl that and uh bag uv chips/

Even better than 'all that'

Origin: 1990s

"His new car is all that and a bag of chips."

/duh bom/

The best

Origin: 1990s African American slang

"These nachos are da bomb."

/az if/

Yeah right (sarcastic)

Origin: Popularized by 'Clueless' (1995)

"He thought I'd go out with him — as if!"

/fat/

Cool, excellent

Origin: Hip-hop, 1990s

"That beat is phat."

/whut-EV-uhr/

Dismissive; I don't care

Origin: Mainstream 1990s teen slang

"Ugh, whatever, Mom."

/tawk too thuh hand/

I'm not listening

Origin: Mid-90s, popularized by Martin Lawrence

"Talk to the hand, 'cause the face ain't listening."

/krib/

Home; house

Origin: Hip-hop, 1990s

"Come chill at my crib."

/my bad/

My mistake

Origin: 1980s basketball slang, mainstream 90s

"Oh, my bad — wrong room."

/koh-BEYN/

The act of staying home to sleep or being antisocial, usually in a depressed or uninterested manner.

Origin: Seattle grunge scene, named after Kurt Cobain's perceived reclusive nature.

"I'm going to flake on the party and go to the cobain instead."

/LEYM-steyn/

An uncool person or a social outcast.

Origin: Part of the 'Lexicon of Grunge' hoax perpetrated on the New York Times.

"Stop being such a lamestain; let's go to the show."

/DISH/

Describing a guitar sound with heavy distortion or fuzz.

Origin: Early 90s Pacific Northwest music scene.

"The guitarist had total dish on his pedals during the solo."

/POH-zer/

Someone who pretends to be part of the scene but has no real interest or knowledge.

Origin: Punk and grunge subcultures.

"Check out that poseur in the brand new flannel shirt."

/WAK-slapd/

To be hit or treated poorly by someone who is 'wack' or uncool.

Origin: New York hip-hop slang.

"I was just wack-slapped by some random guy on the street."

/BUHT-er/

Something that is smooth, high quality, or excellent.

Origin: East Coast hip-hop circles.

"That new Wu-Tang track is straight butter."

/FEY-ded/

To be high or intoxicated, particularly on marijuana.

Origin: West Coast hip-hop and skate culture.

"I was so faded after the concert I couldn't find my car."

/KEEP IT REEL/

To remain authentic to one's roots and honest in one's actions.

Origin: New York hip-Hop core philosophy.

"Keep it real, son, don't let the fame change you."

/FLIP-tee-fats/

Hanging out or loitering with no particular purpose.

Origin: Seattle grunge 'hoax' slang that actually saw minor ironic adoption.

"The mosh pit was full of swingin' on the flipty-fats."

/BAWL-er/

A person living a flashy, high-status lifestyle, often through illegal or athletic success.

Origin: Inner-city basketball and street culture.

"He thinks he's a baller because he bought a used Lexus."

/DEK/

Something that is cool, impressive, or aesthetically pleasing.

Origin: Skate culture and Northern California grunge-adjacent scenes.

"The soup is totally deck today."

/IL/

Expertly executed, impressive, or 'cool' in a transgressive way.

Origin: New York hip-hop, popularized by the Beastie Boys.

"Man, his new freestyle was straight ill."

/BOUNS/

To depart a location quickly.

Origin: West Coast hip-hop and G-funk era.

"I gotta bounce before my parents get home."

/HERB/

A person who is uncool, soft, or lacks street credibility.

Origin: East Coast hip-hop, specifically the Bronx.

"He's just a herb who tries too hard to fit in."

/FAT/

Excellent, desirable, or physically attractive (often used for clothing/women).

Origin: Hip-hop culture, often cited as an acronym for 'Pretty Hot And Tempting'.

"Those kicks are phat, where'd you get them?"

/HAHR-shing my MEL-oh/

To ruin a positive mood or a relaxed atmosphere.

Origin: Surf and skate culture adopted by the grunge generation.

"He spent the whole night harshing my mellow with his complaining."

/PURP-in/

To act like someone you are not or to fake a persona.

Origin: East Coast hip-hop, shortening of 'perpetrating a fraud'.

"Your rhymes are weak, stop perpetrating."

/FRUHNT/

To put up a false facade or to act tougher or more successful than one is.

Origin: New York street slang.

"Don't front, I know you like that song."

/KRIB/

A person's house or apartment.

Origin: Hip-hop culture.

"We're just chilling at the crib, come through."

/FOR-one-one/

The relevant information or 'the gossip' regarding a situation.

Origin: North American telephone directory code for local information.

"I was all 411 on the situation before it even happened."

/DAWG/

A close and loyal friend.

Origin: West Coast hip-hop, popularized by Snoop Dogg.

"That's my dog right there, we've been friends since first grade."

/SKOHR/

Something that is great, successful, or a 'win'.

Origin: Grunge/Alternative scene jargon.

"The venue was totally score, plenty of room to dance."

/DIJ-its/

A person's telephone number.

Origin: Hip-hop and R&B culture.

"I'm going to go hit the digits of that girl I met."

/STEP TOOH/

To confront someone aggressively or challenge them.

Origin: Urban street talk and hip-hop.

"He really stepped to me like he wanted to fight."

/HEL-ah/

An intensifier used to mean 'very' or 'a lot of'.

Origin: San Francisco Bay Area hip-hop and skate culture.

"I'm feeling hella tired after that show."

/AWL GUHD/

A phrase indicating that a situation is fine or there are no problems.

Origin: West Coast G-funk era.

"Everything is all good, man, don't worry about it."

/DUH BOM/

Something that is exceptionally good or impressive.

Origin: Hip-hop culture, specifically the mid-90s.

"That concert was da bomb!"

/WIP/

An expensive or stylish car.

Origin: Hip-hop culture, referring to the steering wheel as a whip used to control horses.

"Check out his new whip, it's got chrome rims."

/WURD UP/

An affirmation of truth or agreement.

Origin: East Coast hip-hop.

"Word up, I'll see you at the studio."

/BUHG-in OUT/

To act crazy, freak out, or behave in an irrational manner.

Origin: New York hip-hop, popularized by A Tribe Called Quest.

"I'm just buggin' out, don't take me seriously."

/BAN-tee/

Something that is small, insignificant, or beneath one's notice.

Origin: Grunge subculture slang for something 'unimportant'.

"I can't believe he wore those banty clothes to the club."

/KIK IT/

To relax, hang out, or spend time with friends.

Origin: West Coast hip-hop culture.

"I'm going to go kick it with my cousins this weekend."

/SAWL-tee/

Being bitter, upset, or irritated over something minor.

Origin: Philadelphia and NYC hip-hop circles.

"Stop being so salty just because you lost the game."

/SYD OV HIZ NEK/

To lie, exaggerate, or speak disrespectfully without sincerity.

Origin: Southern and East Coast hip-hop.

"He was just talkin' out the side of his neck."

/PEES OUT/

A way of saying goodbye, often accompanied by a peace sign.

Origin: Hip-hop and urban youth culture.

"Peace out, I'm heading to my next class."

/JOOST/

To be excited, energized, or 'hyped' for an event.

Origin: California surf/skate and early grunge scenes.

"I'm totally juiced for the Lollapalooza lineup."

/KOB NOB-lerz/

Loss of traction or large chunks of mud/dirt stuck to footwear.

Origin: Another 'Lexicon of Grunge' hoax term that entered the cultural zeitgeist.

"Don't go out in the rain, you'll get cob nobblers on your boots."

/WAK-ASS/

Something of poor quality, fake, or generally bad.

Origin: Early 80s hip-hop that hit peak mainstream saturation in the 90s.

"That's some whack-ass graffiti on the wall."

/DIS/

To show disrespect or to insult someone.

Origin: Shortening of 'disrespect'.

"I can't believe she dished him like that in front of everyone."

/BOUN-der/

A social climber or someone who tries too hard to be close to celebrities.

Origin: UK alternative scene influence on US grunge.

"He's a major bounder, always trying to get into VIP for free."

/GRHYN-dij/

Food or the act of eating.

Origin: Southern California surf/skate culture made famous by 'Pauly Shore'.

"Let's go get some grindage; I'm starving."