20 Slang Terms College Kids Use, Explained
Start writing a post
Student Life

20 Slang Terms College Kids Use, Explained

For parents, or anyone else, who has no idea what we're talking about, like, ever.

2140
20 Slang Terms College Kids Use, Explained
Pixabay

Modern slang has obviously been greatly influenced by the Age of Technology. Texting lingo has seeped into our everyday verbal language, resulting in some odd terminology. I know that modern slang is sometimes really hard to understand; in fact, I have found myself asking, “What the heck does that mean?” after hearing some of these for the first time. Fret no longer. Here are 20 slang terms and what they mean so that hopefully after reading this you can understand us, college students, a little better when we speak.

1. Lit

Lit is an adjective used to describe a person or event that is fun or exciting.

2. Turn up / Turnt

To turn up is to start having a good time and is often associated with partying and drinking alcohol. It can also be used as a noun to describe an event that is a good time with the same associations. Furthermore, turnt is an adjective used to refer to a person or event that is having a good time with the same associations.

3. Dead

To say, “I’m dead,” is to describe yourself as being shocked, fed up or extremely tired.

4. Dank

 dank GIF

This one is super confusing because the actual meaning of the word “dank” refers to something that is damp, musty and cold. When used as a slang term, however, the word has a positive connotation and describes something that is awesome or really good.

5. Word

When someone responds with, “word,” they are confirming or agreeing with whatever was said to them. For example:

Becky: “Meet us at the party at 8:30 pm when you get off work.”

Jen: “Word. I’ll see you there!”

6. Low Key / High Key

When someone, “low key,” wants something or wants to do something they are saying they want it or want to do it but they do not want to be obvious about how much they want it. The opposite would be to say that one, “high key,” wants to have or do something.

7. Thick

The word “thick” is an adjective used to describe a woman who is usually heavy set or curvy but in a desirable way.

8. Done

To be “done,” means that someone is fed up with a situation, person or thing.

9. Savage

The word “savage” is an adjective used to describe a person or thing that either does not care what people think of them or does not tolerate negative behavior from others. For example:

Becky: “Katie found out that her boyfriend cheated on her and she walked right up to him in the dining hall yesterday and dumped him in front of all his friends.

Jen: “Katie is such a savage.”

10. Woke

The word, “woke,” is an adjective that describes someone who is aware of the situations around them.

11. Extra

“Extra,” is an adjective that describes someone or something that is over the top.

12. Thirsty

This is an adjective used to describe someone who is desperate for attention, usually in a sexual or flirtatious context.

13. Shade

The word, “shade,” can be used as a noun to describe gossip or as a verb in the phrase, “throw shade,” to describe the action of gossiping or speaking badly about someone.

14. Fire

This term is an adjective that describes something that is really good. It most often refers to lyrics in rap songs.

15. Salty

Brimstone (The Grindhouse Radio, Hound Comics) mad salt ghr thegrindhouseradio GIF

The term, “salty,” is an adjective that describes someone who is jealous or discontented.

16. Fam

This term is used as a noun that refers to an individual or group of people that the speaker holds in high regard.

17. Finesse

This term is a verb that describes the manipulation of a person or situation to obtain something for free.

Becky: “Celene’s date took her to a five-star restaurant on Friday, paid for her meal and took her home in a limo.”

Jen: “Damn. She must have really finessed that guy.”

18. V

The term, “V,” is an abbreviation of the word, “very,” and is used in the same context.

19. Squad

This is a noun that refers to the speaker’s group of friends.

20. Goals

When a speaker describes something or someone as, “goals,” it means that person or thing is what the speaker aspires to be like or have.

Hopefully, this article wasn’t too extra and helped clear up some of the meanings of these terms. You are now V prepared to understand college students a little better when they speak. Stay woke.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55575
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35828
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957839
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

186180
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments