Languages are the product of the people who speak them and the English language is no exception. While certain vocabulary in English will originate in very specific fields and domains and make its way into general use, there are also plenty of words that start with everyday people, the media they consume, and the things they do.
It's hard to define exactly what pop culture vocabulary is, but for the purpose of this article, we're aiming for non-technical low-register language that could be used in everyday casual situations with close friends or peers.
The vocabulary we've included in this list generally originates from cultural products like movies, TV shows, sports, the internet, social media, and the culture that surrounds them.
While most of these words could also be used in more formal settings as they're largely inoffensive, it's often better to err on the side of caution with them in very formal settings and use more traditional and technical high-register vocabulary. After all, many of these terms are an example of contemporary slang terms and while many of them are in common usage, they're not for every possible situation.
In any case, here are some of our favorite terms that entered the English lexicon through popular culture. We've put them in alphabetic order to make them easier to look up. Anyone learning English, especially those from the younger generation, might be interested in learning these terms.
Bae
The term “bae” is generally used to refer to somebody's boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner. It's essentially a shortened form of “baby” or “babe”, which is also used as a term of endearment.
Some sources suggest that it's an acronym BAE standing for “before anyone else”, but there's little evidence to support this claim.
Not one of the newest terms, “bae” has likely been used for over 20 years, but is still quite commonly used.
BFF
BFF is an acronym that stands for “best friend(s) forever” and is simply an alternative term for “best friend”.
It's believed the term was originally used in the 1980s, popularized in the 1990s, and is still used today.
Binge-watch
Due to streaming platforms like Netflix and online video platforms like YouTube (which can be a great resource for learning English), many people's viewing habits have completely changed.
In the past, when TV shows were usually released on a weekly schedule, viewers would have to wait for the next episode, but many streaming platforms make entire seasons of shows available at once, allowing viewers to watch multiple episodes in quick succession.
The term “binge-watch” refers to the action of watching multiple episodes or instances of a TV show or a series of movies in a single sitting.
Binge-watching was something that became popular and possible with DVDs that often included an entire season of TV shows, but the widespread availability of content through streaming services popularized both the activity and the subsequent terminology.
Bingeable
Relating to binge-watch, bingeable is an adjective that refers to content that lends itself to being binge-watched but since watching TV and movies is a great way to learn English, we wouldn't judge any English students too harshly for watching an entire season in one evening.
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Clickbait
In online culture, "clickbait" refers to content with little substance that aims to get people to click under largely false pretenses.
Clickbait usually relies on exaggeration or even lies to get users to visit a page or site while the content is ultimately misleading or underwhelming.
Fail
The term “fail” as a verb has existed in the English language for centuries, but the usage of “fail” as a noun (rather than the more traditional noun form “failure”) is quite modern.
The term “fail” as a noun in the modern sense is often and famously paired with the adjective “epic”.
Facepalm
Both the noun and verb "facepalm" refer to the action of putting one's palm onto one's face in reaction to embarrassment, shock, awkwardness, etc.
It can refer to the reaction to one's own actions or the reaction to something somebody witnesses.
FOMO
Acronyms are popular in pop culture vocabulary and FOMO is no exception. It stands for "fear of missing out" and is used as a noun. In common usage, the term is something that the user suffers from or experiences.
Ghosting
The term ghosting refers to a behavior whereby a person stops contacting another person without any seemingly obvious reason.
The term is often used in the world of dating (both online and offline) but can also refer to non-romantic relationships. There are also the terms "simmering" and "icing" to refer to the same thing.
GOAT
While the word "goat" obviously refers to the animal, in sports, the acronym GOAT stands for the "greatest of all time" but is pronounced exactly the same as the animal.
You'll see this term being used in sporting communities and in endless debates surrounding players in almost every sport.
Mashup
The term mashup tends to refer to the combining of different things. In music, it refers to two tracks or songs being combined together to create something new.
Meme
The idea of memes was first suggested in the 1970s by the author Richard Dawkins but was popularized in the age of the internet.
Defined as transferrable cultural elements, social media made memes repeatable and adaptable images, videos, or jokes.
The term meme can be used as a noun to refer to a cultural product or as a verb meaning to make a meme.
While memes aren't the best way to learn English, you can learn English through social media!
On point
In informal speech, the expression “on point” generally means good, attractive, or stylish, especially when referring to clothing, fashion, and styles.
While slang terms are often fun and interesting, they're not suitable for every situation. Ask a tutor or teacher about when it's appropriate to use them.
Reboot
In the world of IT and computing, reboot is the term for restarting a device or system, but in popular culture, it refers to the renewal of a cultural product such as a film or TV series.
Generally, a reboot is when movies or TV shows are renewed with different actors and a different direction, while often revisiting the same parts of the story.
A reboot is not to be confused with a “revival”, where a TV show or movie is brought back after some time but the events of the original are still considered to have happened.
Salty
The English language has a long relationship with using sensory terms for emotions. The idea of "sweet", "bitter", and "sour" have been used for quite some time, but this usage of "salty" is a more recent development.
In modern usage, the term "salty" refers to somebody being jealous, cold, bitter, or passive-aggressive. In video games, it often refers to a sore loser who exhibits the same traits.
Slap
The term "to slap" initially referred to hitting something with the palm of your hand or the sound made by such an action.
In modern popular culture, something is said to slap if it's very good, particularly songs and music, but it can also be used for other things.
Slay
The term slay originally meant to kill violently or to greatly amuse someone. In more modern popular culture, particularly LGBT+ and black female culture, the term refers to doing something excellently, with style, or with confidence, especially when challenging or against prejudice.
A person can “slay” but the term can also be used in isolation as an exclamation. E.g. “Slay!”.
Spoiler
In the past, a spoiler would refer to a part of a plane or a car that redirects air, but in popular culture, it refers to information or knowledge that would ruin the experience for a person experiencing media such as TV shows, movies, books, and even video games.
In many cases, a spoiler is the revelation of key information to the plot of something so that another person wouldn't be able to fully enjoy the experience the first time of watching or listening.
Spoilers have become so commonplace in popular culture that people will even state “spoiler alert” before they say something that could potentially ruin (or spoil) the experience of a cultural product for somebody else.
Stan
The term “stan” is used both as a noun and a verb in English to refer to a zealous fan or supporter of somebody, usually a celebrity. The verb “to stan” means to be supportive of said person or group.
The term originated from the 2000 Eminem song “Stan” which talks about an obsessive fan of the artist whose fandom takes him to excessive lengths. In contemporary usage, the term isn't as dark as the song.
Troll
In internet culture, the verb "to troll" refers to the action of purposefully antagonizing users on social media and online through inflammatory comments and behaviors. A person who engages in such behaviors is also referred to as a "troll".
Yas
“Yas”, “Yasss”, and other spellings are an affirmation that comes from “yes”. The term is often used in the LGBT+ community and paired with the term “queen”.
The terms “yassify” and “yassification” refer to the process of making something more LGBT+ adjacent or adding too many beauty filters to photos.
YOLO
YOLO is an acronym for “you only live once” and while it was hugely popular around a decade ago, it's not a term that we hear as often as in its heyday.
Generally, YOLO is used to suggest that the speaker is doing something enjoyable that might be unwise or even dangerous.
Learn Slang Vocabulary with Superprof
Most of these words are known in both American and British English, but their usage should be based on who you're speaking to and the context of your conversation.
To learn more contemporary English and internet slang, you could always enrol in esl classes nyc. There are plenty of them on the Superprof website.
By hiring a private English tutor on Superprof, you're in control of what you learn and how you learn. Your tutor can tailor every minute of every session to you.
With many tutors offering the first session for free, you can also try a few different ones out before finding the right one.
Unlock the language of the streets and social interactions with our esl classes for adults tailored to teach you the vibrant world of slang vocabulary. Join us to pick up the latest expressions, colloquialisms, and street-smart language, ensuring you navigate real-life conversations with ease and authenticity. Enroll now to master the art of informal communication and truly connect with English speakers in any setting!
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