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."

/az IF/

An exclamation of skeptical dismissal; that will never happen

Origin: Popularized by the film Clueless 1995, defining phrase of mid-1990s teen speech

"He thinks I am going to do his homework for him. As if!"

/awl THAT and uh BAG uv CHIPS/

Superior to everyone else; having an inflated sense of self-worth

Origin: African American vernacular, widespread teen slang c.1993-1997

"She walks around like she is all that and a bag of chips but nobody asked."

/NOH DOWT/

Absolutely; without question; strong agreement with a statement

Origin: Skater and hip-hop slang of the early 1990s, mainstream by mid-decade

"Is that new Nirvana album worth buying? No doubt, buy it immediately."

/MY BAD/

An admission of personal fault; my mistake

Origin: African American basketball slang, widespread mainstream adoption c.1991-1995

"I sent that fax to the wrong number. My bad, I will redo it right now."

/PLAY-ah/

Someone skillfully navigating romantic relationships simultaneously

Origin: African American vernacular alternate spelling of player, hip-hop usage c.1993

"He is dating three different girls and none of them know. Total playa."

/BLING BLING/

Flashy jewelry and the ostentatious display of wealth

Origin: Hip-hop slang attributed to Cash Money Records, New Orleans c.1997-1999

"He walked in covered in bling bling and everybody in the club turned around."

/FEEL mee/

Do you understand what I am saying; do you relate to my point

Origin: African American vernacular, hip-hop culture, mainstream crossover c.1993-1997

"I am not saying he is wrong, I am saying it is complicated. Feel me?"

/KEEP-in it REEL/

Staying true to ones authentic self and background

Origin: Hip-hop cultural value statement, widely circulated from early 1990s onward

"He took the record deal but still raps about where he came from. Keepin it real."

/TROO DAT/

That is absolutely correct; I completely agree with that statement

Origin: African American vernacular, hip-hop community reinforcement phrase c.1992-1998

"This city shuts down every time it snows two inches. True dat."

/GRUNJ/

A style defined by flannel, distorted guitar, and deliberate dirtiness

Origin: Music press term for Seattle sound, popularized after Nirvana breakthrough 1991

"The whole school switched to grunge the week Nevermind dropped."

/SLAK-er/

A young person deliberately avoiding ambition and conventional work

Origin: Popularized by Richard Linklater film Slacker 1991, peak as identity c.1992-1996

"He has three philosophy degrees and works at a video store. Certified slacker."

/ANGKST/

Deep, fashionable existential anxiety, especially among youth

Origin: German for anxiety, absorbed into English and made a generational badge c.1992

"The entire album is pure teenage angst and every single person I know loves it."

/SEL-owt/

An artist or person who compromised their values for mainstream success

Origin: Punk ethics term, heavy usage in alternative and grunge communities c.1991-1997

"The second they got on MTV their old fans called them sellouts."

/poh-ZUR/

Someone faking membership in an authentic subculture for social gain

Origin: Punk origin carried into grunge and alternative culture debates c.1991-1996

"He bought a flannel last week and now claims he saw Mudhoney in 1988. Poseur."

/yoo GOH GURL/

An exclamation of enthusiastic encouragement directed at a woman

Origin: African American womens vernacular, popularized by television talk shows c.1993

"She told him exactly what she thought and walked out. You go girl."

/SNAP/

An exclamation registering surprise, admiration, or a sharp comeback

Origin: African American vernacular, talk show culture popularization through early 1990s

"She just reversed his entire argument in two sentences. Snap!"

/dah BOM/

The absolute best; something of the highest possible quality

Origin: African American slang, hip-hop vernacular, peak teen mainstream use c.1994-1998

"This pizza from the new place on Third Street is da bomb, I am not kidding."

/TAWK NER-dee tuh mee/

Playful request for intellectual or technical conversation

Origin: Early internet and geek culture pun on talk dirty to me, c.1993-1997

"You know Unix shell scripting? Oh please, talk nerdy to me."

/yoo hav GOT MAYL/

A new email message has arrived; reference to AOL notification sound

Origin: AOL dial-up internet culture, voice notification became cultural shorthand c.1993

"I sat by the computer for two hours and when I finally heard you have got mail I screamed."

/NOO-bee/

Someone who is new to an online community, game, or activity

Origin: Early internet and Usenet culture slang, widespread AOL era usage c.1993-1998

"He posted the same question four times because he is a total newbie."

/LUR-ker/

Someone who reads online discussions without posting or participating

Origin: Usenet and early internet culture term, standard usage by AOL era c.1994

"There are a hundred people in this chat room but only ten are talking. Total lurkers."

/FLAYM/

A hostile and aggressive online message intended to provoke or insult

Origin: Usenet and early internet culture, flame wars documented from early 1990s

"He disagreed politely and got a twenty-paragraph flame in response."

/EYE-ar-EL/

In real life, as opposed to online; the physical world outside of chat

Origin: Internet and chat room abbreviation, widespread in AOL culture c.1994-1999

"We have been talking for months but we have never actually met IRL."

/SURF thuh NET/

To casually browse the internet jumping between websites

Origin: Coined by Jean Armour Polly 1992, became standard mainstream phrase by mid-1990s

"I spent three hours surfing the net last night and found nothing useful."

/CHAT ROOM/

An online space where multiple users can type and converse in real time

Origin: AOL and early internet terminology, culturally significant c.1993-1999

"I met someone in a chat room last night who says they go to my school."

/dis-kuh-NEKT/

To lose internet connection unexpectedly; to be cut off from online session

Origin: AOL dial-up culture specific anxiety phrase, c.1994-1999

"I was in the middle of downloading that picture and the line just disconnected."

/awl THAT/

Believing oneself to be superior, attractive, or more important than others

Origin: African American vernacular youth slang, peak use in school settings c.1993-1997

"He walks around thinking he is all that just because he made junior varsity."

/WIG OWT/

To lose composure completely; to have an emotional breakdown or panic

Origin: American slang derived from flip your wig, active in 1990s teen speech

"My mom is going to wig out when she sees the dent in the bumper."

/SKECH/

Suspicious, untrustworthy, or making someone feel uneasy

Origin: American teen slang short for sketchy, widespread use through 1990s

"That van has been parked outside for six hours. This whole situation is sketch."

/SWET-in/

Obsessively pursuing someone romantically; paying too much attention

Origin: African American vernacular, hip-hop influenced teen speech c.1992-1997

"He has been sweatin her since September and she barely knows his name."

/STEP-in/

Competing directly; advancing boldly into a challenge or confrontation

Origin: African American and hip-hop vernacular, confrontational context c.1992-1997

"You are steppin to the wrong person, I suggest you think about that."

/CHIL/

To relax; calm, laid back, or acceptable in a given situation

Origin: African American vernacular, hip-hop era general adoption, peak 1990s use

"We are just going to chill at Marcus house and watch movies tonight."

/FAT/

Excellent, attractive, or of the highest quality

Origin: Hip-hop slang backronym Pretty Hot And Tempting, New York City c.1992-1997

"That remix is straight up phat, they need to release that as a single."

/rep-reh-ZENT-in/

Proudly displaying loyalty to ones neighborhood, city, or group

Origin: Hip-hop culture value expression, widespread from early 1990s onward

"Shout out to Brooklyn tonight, we are representin hard up in here."

/PEES OWT/

Goodbye; a farewell said while flashing a peace or victory sign

Origin: Hip-hop and urban youth slang farewell, widely used from early 1990s

"Alright I am out of here, peace out everybody, see you next week."

/ah-IYT/

Alright; an informal expression of agreement or acknowledgment

Origin: African American vernacular contraction, hip-hop mainstream adoption c.1994-1999

"You bringing the speakers tonight? Aiight, I will handle the food then."

/OH-pen uh KAN uv WOOP-as/

To physically or decisively defeat someone; to administer punishment

Origin: Southern American slang popularized in pro wrestling and mainstream TV c.1993

"If he touches my car again I am going to open a can of whoop-ass on him."

/NOT/

A sarcastic reversal appended to a statement to negate it completely

Origin: Waynes World film and SNL sketch 1992 popularized this as teen speech pattern

"That outfit looks totally professional on you. Not!"

/SHWING/

An exclamation expressing sudden sexual excitement or attraction

Origin: Waynes World SNL and film c.1991-1992, brief but widely imitated teen expression

"Did you see the new girl walk past? Schwing!"

/PAR-tee ON/

A command or encouragement to continue having fun and celebrating

Origin: Waynes World popularization 1992, originally broader teen slang for keep going

"We just got the whole week off school. Party on, excellent!"

/BOO-yah/

An exclamation of triumph or success

Origin: Sportscaster Stuart Scott popularized on ESPN c.1995, widespread teen use

"I aced that calc test without studying. Booyah!"

/GOH-ing POH-stul/

Losing control violently or angrily out of frustration

Origin: References to US postal worker shootings of the late 1980s, slang by 1993

"If the printer jams one more time I am going to go postal."

/FOHN TAG/

Trading missed calls back and forth without ever connecting

Origin: American office and home phone vernacular, common usage early 1990s

"We have been playing phone tag for two weeks, just send me an email."

/thuh FOR-WUN-WUN/

Information; the details about a situation

Origin: From the directory assistance phone number 411, slang spread early 1990s

"Give me the 411 on what happened at the party Friday night."

/DOT KOM/

Internet-related; the booming online business sector of the late 1990s

Origin: From URL suffix com, became cultural shorthand for tech boom c.1996-1999

"He quit his real job to chase some dot com idea his friend cooked up."

/GOH-ing POH-kee-mon/

Obsessively collecting or trading objects of a fandom

Origin: Pokemon trading card craze late 1990s, became metaphor for collector mania

"She is going Pokemon on those Beanie Babies, she has hundreds now."

/WAH-sup/

What is up; a casual greeting

Origin: Budweiser Whassup commercials 1999 turned the greeting into a catchphrase

"Wassup man, I have not seen you since the summer concert."

/YAH-dah YAH-dah YAH-dah/

And so on; skipping over unimportant details

Origin: Popularized by Seinfeld episode The Yada Yada April 1997

"We met, hit it off, yadda yadda yadda, now we are engaged."

/MAR-shuh MAR-shuh MAR-shuh/

Sibling jealousy or feeling overshadowed by someone more favored

Origin: Brady Bunch reference revived as 1990s pop culture catchphrase

"Mom only asks about my brothers grades. Marcia Marcia Marcia."

/EET my SHORTZ/

A defiant dismissal or insult; rejection of someones demands

Origin: Bart Simpson catchphrase from The Simpsons, popularized c.1990-1992

"He wants me to apologize for laughing? Eat my shorts."