Have you only recently picked up on last year’s slang? It’s too late now, so forget it. A slew of new (rather illogical) terminology has arrived, and it’s time to update them to your vocabulary bank.
With TikTok’s continued dominance over our culture, the app has begun to influence much of the terminology we hear on a regular basis. Although not all of these terms and phrases are entirely new, they are becoming common and will likely become more so in the coming year.
We know it’s hard to keep up with all the new slang and trust us when we say that it’s hard for any native speaker over 30 years old too! Here is some terminology from around the world that you need to know.
Can’t seem to get someone off your mind? In your mind, they seem to be living rent-free. When you can’t get something out of your head – whether it’s a song, video, experience, or person – you can use this. They’re trapped, and they’re not even paying rent for the space they’re in.
Have you caught someone red-handed and have the proof? With strong, digital evidence, you’ve caught them in 4k. Another common TikTok statement, this one is frequently followed by the camera emoji to emphasize the notion that you’ve been exposed.
Is someone behaving in a shady or unpleasant manner? They didn’t seem to pass the vibe test. When you check in on someone’s vibe and assess what it’s delivering, this is what you’re doing. Do you have a good vibe? You’ve cleared the vibe test.
When something is really, truly good – usually in the context of eating – you can use this phrase. “This food is bussin’,” you could say if you’re having a particularly delicious meal. Do you want to emphasize something more? “Wow, this pizza is really bussin’ bussin’,” you can say.
This word (pronounced choo-gee) has swooped in to take the place of the once-popular “basic.” It refers to someone who is painfully mainstream or, in a similar spirit, someone who is clinging to things that were popular a few years ago but is now considered basic or “cheugy.”
Yeet can be used as an exclamation of delight (“Yeet! It’s the weekend!”) or as a verb referring to a forceful throw (“I’ll Yeet this ball”). It is used to describe anything that is done with enthusiasm.
This is a condensed version of the word “suspicious.” Sus is a slang term for something that is doubtful or uncool.
This is the modern equivalent of “I’m shouting” or “I can’t.” When you laugh out loud, you can say “this is sending me.”
This is from the new pandemic vocabulary list. COVID-19 is a major problem that we’re still dealing with, yet the terms Covid and Coronavirus are rather too formal for common use. It reminds me of “He Who Must Not Be Named.” As a result, many individuals use the shorter variants “Rona” and “Vid” to avoid giving the term a gloomy connotation.
Although the specific meaning varies, savage, like dope or fierce, is unmistakably a complement. For a particularly well-crafted attack or comeback, an adolescent may refer to a friend as savage. Performing a heinous act demonstrates either bravery or a complete lack of concern/fear.
As Megan Thee Stallion and have taught us, savage refers to someone or something who is incredibly cool and unconcerned.
An oldie but a good one to know and definitely the top of our list! It’s the abbreviation of ‘barbecue’; seldom used in the same sentence as ‘shrimp’. “Let’s defo have a barbie this arvo.”
What’s arvo you say? Well, arvo is just the abbreviation for “afternoon”. Australians shorten nearly every word, so watch out for this if you are heading there soon. In no time, you’ll fit in like a glove.
This is the slang term for a bottle shop. They sell alcohol, like an off-license in th UK and Ireland or liquor store in the USA and Canada. Whatever the term used, this is definitely one to keep in the back of your mind if you are traveling.
If there’s one word you need to know going to Australia, it’s “bugger”. This is a seriously versatile word, and you’ll hear it multiple times a day! Here is a few examples of how you can use it:
We’ll end this list on a funny one! This is a term that has been very funny to most English speakers around the world. No, thongs in Australia do not refer to ladies’ delicates. They are actually sandals or flip-flops. Don’t be alarmed when you hear this in Australia.
We’ve covered the most popular words that you’ll need worldwide for 2022. You may have landed on this page as you are traveling soon to one of these countries, or perhaps a different one altogether. Did you know that if you book lessons with our teachers that they can give you tailored lessons for a specific country that you are going to? Book a free trial with us today and you’ll be able to let us know your goals with English learning.
