If You Don't Know What This Slang Means, You're Old AF! Can You Get 100%?

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As much as some people complain about it, one of the greatest strengths of the English language is that it's always changing. New words are added, a few words get removed, and a whole bunch of words get repurposed. It usually starts as slang.

Maybe you don't like slang, and maybe you think it ruins the English language. You know who used to make up a bunch of slang? Shakespeare. Nobody's complaining about the irreparable damage he did to the language while they're reading Romeo & Juliet in sophomore English class. He knew that language should flow, and change, and keep up with the ever-changing world around us. (And, without him, we wouldn't have the word eyeball. How weird is that?)

Now, more than ever, though, we have a culture that allows for new words to pop up on an almost weekly basis. Rappers, like Shakespeare before them, find clever, new, metaphorical words to fit into their rhymes, and those metaphors take on the meaning of that which they referred to. We also have the Internet, and with the internet, we have so many new experiences that new words are virtually required to explain how we feel or what we're doing. If you'd said you Googled something before you tweeted it even a decade ago, you'd get weird looks.

This quiz is designed to see if you're up on the latest slang from all over the English language. As you get older, it gets harder to keep up. Are you keeping up? Or do you still think the kids are out here saying "gnarly" and "jeepers?" Take this quiz and find out!

Question 1

Being mean is throwing WHAT?

Sometimes you know somebody who is annoying, or mean, or just plain uncool. And in those cases, you might want to talk trash to your friends about them, or even talk trash to their face. But when you do it in a way that's a little more subtle than your traditional "trash-talk," you might throw this - a phrase popularized on RuPaul's Drag Race that has since been adopted by people from every walk of life. Be careful where you throw it! In a sentence: "I couldn't believe it. Maddy was throwing ____ at Alex ALL NIGHT."

Question 2

When you're showing off you're doing WHAT?

When you've got a bunch of stuff you're proud of (money, followers, whatever), it's pretty natural to try to show it off. This verb, originally related to the gym, is a synonym for that kind of showing off. Everybody likes to do it from time to time. Not everyone appreciates it, however; the rap duo Rae Sremmurd released a single early in their career where they announce that the area around them is a "zone" where you can't do this. In a sentence: "I'm not trying to _____ but I got a million in the bank."

Question 3

Which one means something is sketchy?

At a certain point, we all get burned. It makes us jaded. Some people think this is a sad thing, but really, that's just the brain learning to protect itself from disappointment. This word is used to describe something that might not be on the up-and-up. Maybe you got an e-mail from a prince who wants to give you a bunch of money, or someone's running a game of three-card monty that they keep winning. When you don't trust it, there's a really simple, short word to describe how untrustworthy the situation looks. In a sentence: "Don't buy anything from The Great Baldo. His products are hella _____."

Question 4

Which one means you're overly upset?

In the game of life, sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. When you lose, you gotta keep your head up, and never be this word, which means a sore loser or just generally grumpy and angry (tears not required, but sometimes included). Also, if you really have bad sportsmanship, you might call somebody this after you beat them in a competition; if they weren't this thing before, they will be after you call them it. Don't do that, though. It's mean.

Question 5

Which word DOESN'T mean suspicious?

In the history of the English language, there has been no shortage of words that define something as untrustworthy. Dubious, devious, shady, shifty... and, particularly in the past few years, three of the below words. One of them gained popularity in the Bay Area, one of them originally meant "incomplete," and another was completely invented. One of the words below, however, isn't a synonym for untrustworthy, and means something completely different. (You can look it up after.) Which doesn't fit? In a sentence: "I don't hang out with that dude. He's ________.

Question 6

Which one is an encouraging verb?

Sometimes your friends need words of encouragement. They're about to go off and do something, and you know they're going to do an incredible job. In those cases, you can yell this simple, one-word, four-letter command at them. By simply saying it, you're also telling them they're already doing it. It's a word of encouragement that should tell them "you are ready to do the most tonight, and you're gonna do it!" And sometimes, that's all the encouragement you need.

Question 7

Which word means to tease or diss?

This verb originally started as a term in hockey circles for casual, semi-friendly insults thrown at rivals (and, sometimes, at players on your own team). It gained popularity, first in Canada, and later on in the United States, for anyone who is giving anyone else a hard time in a jokey way. Word of advice: make sure you aren't doing it to someone who can't take a joke, or you might catch a hockey puck to the face for your efforts. In a sentence: "Oh calm down, don't take it personally, I was just _____ing you."

Question 8

Which word describes a boring, mainstream person?

Thirty years ago, if you had used this word, people would've thought you were talking about scientific experiments, or maybe computer technology. But, these days, it has a meaning that evokes a lot of really specific images: Ugg boots, pumpkin spice lattes, Instagram photos of food, playing Candy Crush on the subway, patios, kale smoothies, kale salads, kale everything, the hashtag #kaleeverything, anything mainstream, and a lack of awareness of the world around one's self. When you call someone this word, you're definitely throwing shade. In a sentence: "Did you see Becky's Instagram feed? Nothing but kale. She's so ______."

Question 9

Which word means your one and only?

Another concept the English language is never lacking words for is language for your one-and-only. Honey, sweetie, baby, better half… the list seems endless. Yet another word entered the lexicon in the past few years, and caught on like wildfire. There are several different theories as to where it came from, and while the first appearance on Urban Dictionary was way back in 2003, it didn't really catch on until the last few years. Just don't say "the" or "my" before it! In a sentence: "What am I doing tonight? Just hanging with ____."

Question 10

Which word means enlightened?

This word means to be aware of the ways of the world: whether it's injustice in the workplace, or the systemic ways our culture keeps some people down, or what kind of behavior is problematic, if you're this word, you know what's up and you're paying attention. Be careful of people who describe themselves with this word, though, because it's not very cool to brag about how wise you are, right? It's also often used as a command or encouragement: "Stay _____." In a sentence: "He used to ignore the world around him, but he's _____ now."

Question 11

Which word finishes the phrase "gives me ___?"

Sometimes life gets you down. It's natural. The news is nothing but bad news, work's a grind, your life's a joke, you're broke... but now you can't say no one told you you life was gonna be this way. (Sorry, had a song stuck in my head there for a minute.) When things get tough, sometimes you need to watch cute animal videos, or read stories about everyday heroes, or drink a really good iced tea. And in those cases, you might say that video "gives me _______." In a sentence: "This burrito is giving me _______."

Question 12

Which one means just a little bit?

A lot of the time, when someone gets mad, you can tell. Nostrils flare, veins bulge, eyes bug out, voices raise. But sometimes it's below the surface, and you don't know that person was angry until they tell you. This adjectival phrase can be attached to any emotion one feels, and it means just that: the feeling was felt stealthily. You can be this-phrase mad, or maybe you were this-phrase laughing at an awkward situation. Best employed when you think the other person was, too. In a sentence: "I acted like I was chill, but I was actually _______ mad."

Question 13

Which means an inexperienced gamer?

Mark Twain said, "don't use a five dollar word when a fifty cent word will do." There are plenty of five dollar words that describe someone who is inexperienced: neophyte, dilettante, abecedarian, tenderfoot, greenhorn, babywalker (okay, I made the last one up)... the list is endless. Luckily, the gaming community gave us this fifty cent word, which is the perfect length to yell at someone right after you score a no scope headshot on them from across the map in a particularly intense game of Call of Duty. In a sentence: "Lol look at this guy running in circles... what a _____."

Question 14

Which word means you've been soundly beaten?

If there's one thing that those beginners get used to while playing video games, it's getting beaten. Sometimes, though, you get beaten so spectacularly, or so many times, that simply using the word "beaten" isn't enough. You need a word that makes it clear that you've been completely destroyed. And this word, born from a common typo and yelled in every chat room in every online video game ever, is that word. Just don't ask me how to pronounce it. In a sentence: "I got 12 kills, and 10 of them were on that guy. He got ____."

Question 15

Which one describes what you want in life?

This one's another common hashtag, but instead of using it to show off the things you have and are happy for, you use this one to show off the things you wish you had. Maybe it's the perfect squad to hang out with. Maybe it's a million-dollar home. Maybe it's just a picture of a big, fat burrito. It doesn't really matter. It also doesn't matter, apparently, if it's one thing or multiple: if you don't use the plural form of the word, you're doing it wrong.

Question 16

A non-expert "talks out the side of their _____?"

This one actually started in the 80s and was even the name of a song by Cameo (best known, perhaps appropriately for this quiz, for the song "Word Up"). It's a phrase that means you're saying a bunch of stuff about something you don't know anything about. Maybe you think you're an expert, or maybe you're just making things up, but if you get accused of "talking out the side of your ______," you've been caught red-handed, and should probably quiet down. In a sentence: "Biff doesn't know anything. When he gets started he's just talking out the side of his _______."

Question 17

Which word means something is incredible?

Slang has had a lot of words pop up that seem to mean the opposite of their original meaning. "Awesome" used to mean scary, now it means... well, awesome. "Rad," short for radical, meant extreme, but now it means... rad. "Gnarly" used to mean... well, you get the idea. This word is one of the latest to enter the greater lexicon, although it originally derives from the drag community. When someone does something so awesome, so badass, so rad, that it needs the most extreme word to describe it, it's this. In a sentence: "Did you see Alia's dance routine? I was blown away. So __________."

Question 18

Which word means disappearing from a former lover's life?

Dating sure isn't what it used to be. Nowadays, if you're single and looking to mingle, you've probably got a half-dozen dating apps installed on your phone, a bunch of numbers in your contacts, a few unread messages on Tinder... it's great to be connected to everyone! But with new technology comes new challenges, such as this one. Sometimes you like someone, and they seem to like you, but then they just... disappear. Radio silence. There's a word for that. That person did this to you. In a sentence: "I never heard back from Cal... he totally _______ed me."

Question 19

Which one means a phone to only be used for a limited time?

There are a lot of reasons to want to keep private in today's day and age. Some of those reasons are a little more sketchy than others: maybe you're doing something illegal, or maybe you're cheating on a partner... but there are less nefarious reasons, too. Technology has given us this item, though, which is a pre-paid cell phone, usually sold super-cheap at a convenience store. Once you've used all of the text or talk minutes, you can recharge it, but a lot of people just throw them away to avoid being caught. In a sentence: "He called me yesterday, but I didn't recognize the number. Must be a ______."

Question 20

Which one means you want "it" too bad?

We've all seen it: somebody who wants something too much. Maybe it's a potential lover, or a job, or... well, it's usually a potential lover. When your friend is trying too hard, looking too obviously eager or desperate, sometimes you need to say something to keep them in check. This word is a quick way to describe that desperate mode of thinking, and make it clear that it's not a good look. Hopefully, your friend gets the memo, and starts playing it cool. In a sentence: "Man, your tongue is hanging out of your mouth. You're looking ________ af."

Question 21

Which one means you need to relax?

Telling your friends to just "be cool" is something you need to do from time to time, when you yourself are a good friend. Unlike the previous question, though, this is a phrase that is used when someone is acting irrational, or mean, or just plain too much. That person is lacking something, so you say they have "No _____." The blank is something everyone wants to have. Sometimes it helps to hear you don't have it, so you can make sure you collect yourself. In a sentence: "You see Steve get riled up about that ball game? Dude has no _____."

Question 22

Which one means partying hard?

Some people just aren't natural party animals. But, when they get to partying, and maybe ingesting things that they shouldn't be ingesting (no judgement!), they hit a new gear. This word means that they've hit that new level, and have gone from wallflower to wild party level. Maybe they're twerking with a lampshade on their head, or doing backflips off of the roof into the pool, or freestyle rapping in the backyard. (Disclaimer: none of these things ever go well. But they are funny!) In a sentence: "Bruce is usually so quiet... but he had a Four Loko last night and got ______!"

Question 23

Which one means something's looking perfect?

These two words were originally attached to, and are still often attached to, eyebrows. Sometimes you just get your eyebrows exactly how you want them, and when you do, they're "on ______." Other things can be on this too: your outfit, your house, your meal... as the phrase became more common, so too did the number of things it was used to describe. It has lost almost all of its meaning, but, let's be honest: it's still a lot of fun to say. In a sentence: "Let's go to the club. My entire look is on _____ tonight."

Question 24

Which one means you dream of two fictional characters hooking up?

People have probably been doing it since the dawn of fiction. You've probably done it too. Maybe you're watching Star Trek, and you think, "boy, I wish Spock and Kirk were dating." And, once you decide that, you start noticing every furtive glance, every pregnant pause, every double entendre that they say to or even near each other. Before long, you find it hard to believe that's NOT what the creator intended. It's too late for you. You now officially ______ those characters. In a sentence: "I love Giles. And I love Willow. And I love them together. I ______ them."

Question 25

Which one means you've decided your fan theory on a show is real in the show?

Sometimes the blanks in fiction that you fill in your head are more than just a random relationship between a couple of characters. Maybe you secretly think that Chuck Norris in Walker Texas Ranger is actually one of the Terminators from Terminator, or you think that there's a shared universe between Friends and How I Met Your Mother. There's no real proof, and maybe the creator has even said it's untrue, but you don't care. You like the idea so much, that you just decide it's true. At this point, the fact becomes this. In a sentence: "In my _______, NYPD Blue takes place in the Matrix."

Question 26

Which one means good... or rich.... or pretty much everything now?

Boy, where to start with this word? Here's a list of things it means: 1. Free stuff 2. Stolen stuff 3. Confidence 4. Cool ...and that's just the ones that are easy to define. Really, it's a word you say all the time, for no reason. It can be a response when you have no idea what else to say but want to stay positive. It's something you can say five times in a row if you really want to bother someone. In 2017 though, it's probably just best to never use it. Unless you're Rae Sremmurd. In a sentence: "I'm _____ as hell. I got _____. ______ ______ _____ _____ _____."

Question 27

Which one means you really screwed up?

Some people say the meaning of life is to figure out what you want to do, and go for it all the way. Sometimes, when you attempt to do something spectacular, you screw up. And sometimes that screw-up is spectacular. This two word phrase is perfect for describing those moments where someone, figuratively or literally, face plants while attempting to do something big. Because it's not just a regular, garden-variety blunder. It's a massive one. And, more often than not, it's pretty funny.

Question 28

Which disrespectful term is used to describe a promiscuous person?

Not all slang is polite. This word, in particular, is one I hope I never get called. It's usually (unfortunately) an insult thrown at women, but has increasingly become a word used for men, too. It describes someone who is rumored to be promiscuous, Maybe it was made up to hide what people are actually saying (after all, you'll usually get in trouble in high school for calling someone a sex worker), but it's actually an acronym... and an epithet for sex worker's hiding in there.

Question 29

Which word is the sound you make when you do something dumb?

You know when you realize that you've just done something so spectacularly stupid that you can barely even make words anymore? All you can do is make it clear how much you've messed up by just making the dumbest sound your face can make? That's this word. This word is just that sound. you can use it to describe yourself after a mistake, or describe someone else who is awkward, stupid or ridiculous. It doesn't mean anything. It's just the dumbest sound. And now it's a word.

Question 30

Which one means a bunch of money?

There are plenty of words for money. Bucks. Bands. Benjamins. Bank. Bread. And that's just the ones that start with the letter B. But, recently, a new word has started to take hold as one of the most popular terms for a large sum of money, in no small part due to a song by Big Sean. It apparently has existed for a while in rap music, and comes from a Spanish word. And everyone's saying it. (disclaimer: unlike the above examples, this one does NOT start with a B.)

Question 31

Which one means a good-looking guy?

About half of the world's population are attracted to men, but there are far fewer words for a good-looking dude than there are for a comely lady. This word has started being used in this context a lot, lately, though. and it carries a lot of meaning: it means, "I want that guy to take care of me." Or, "I like that guy's bod." Or just, "unnnnhhhh." It's a little creepy, but if you hear it, you better believe whoever's saying it is into whoever they're staring at.

Question 32

Which one means your life is lucky?

You see this one in hashtags all of the time, and it's honestly a low key brag most of the time. It implies that the writer is humble, and believes that they were lucky to have all of the good things they have, but lets be real: when you're posting pictures of your dream home or car or perfect partner or family or yacht or whatever, you can use this hashtag all you want. We all know you're showing off.

Question 33

Which word do you say to describe something is hilarious?

If there's one thing the Internet has been good for, it's efficiency of language. Once upon a time, to tell someone that you just saw or heard the funniest thing ever, you'd have to say, "I say, sir! I do believe that which just occurred or was uttered was the most uproariously hilarious thing to ever occur or be uttered." In 2017, you only need to describe your current state with four letters, and one syllable. Or you could just say LOL, but that's boring. In a sentence: "When Todd fell of his skateboard... man. ______."

Question 34

Which one of these is not a common thing to "do it for"?

There are moments in all of our lives where we're unsure if we're going to do something, and we need a little bit of encouragement. Sometimes it's something brave, like facing a fear or standing up to authority. Sometimes it's something incredibly stupid, like trying to do a backflip in a room with a low ceiling. There will always be people to encourage you, though, and they'll tell you to "do it for the" something. Three of these are common "do it for the" things; one of them is NOT. Which one does nobody say? In a sentence: "C'mon, you can kickflip over this pit! Do it for the _____!"

Question 35

Which one refers to something that seemed good, but was immediately found to be terrible?

One of the best/worst things about the Internet is when you discover someone or something that you love, only to find out five minutes later that it's actually ridiculously problematic. Maybe you remember Ken Bone, the adorable pudgy man who asked a question during the presidential race, who became a meme... until someone found his Reddit account, and realized he's a big-time creeper. A Twitter celeb came up with this tweet: "The whole internet loves ______, a lovely ____ that _____! *5 seconds later* We regret to inform you the ______ is racist." It's now become shorthand for something great that you immediately find out is the worst. In a sentence: "That new game looks great, but the developer is a total creep... real _______ moment."

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