Platforms like Snapchat have also changed our languages. You may not understand these slang or acronyms if you do not engage with theseplatforms. While we cannot share everything about these slang terms and acronyms, I wanted to give you the basic idea. So, if you were planning to use Snapchat for something, you would understand what you see.
Here are the 20+ Snapchat slang and acronyms everyone should know about.
Snapchat Slang: What You Need to Know
In this guide, we shall discuss some popular Snapchat slangwords and acronyms in English. These could be words or acronyms you may already know, but they get a new meaning within the Snapchat environment. Before I give you a list of these terms and their meaning, here is a quick rundown of how these terms came to be.
Snapchat Slang History
Do you remember the time SMS became popular? Following these years, we saw the increasing use of many acronyms and slang. These words were taken from official languages, but they were easy to type and use. At a point, this texting vocabulary became so popular that people didn’t want to use anything else. The same thing happened with Snapchat as well.
After Snapchat blew up, users wanted a faster yet functional way to communicate through the platform. We don’t know who started what, but many acronyms and slang terms were started. Today, you’ll see all these terms used across the social media platform. More importantly, these terms are never static; they change depending on region, culture, and user demographics.
Why Are Snapchat Slang Important?
From a purely functional viewpoint, these slang terms are essential since they are the norm for texting and communicating within the platform. But, if you are more curious, these items can also give you some insights into what Snapchat users expect from these platforms.
For instance, the dynamic meaning of these slang terms also indicates what people want to talk about on a number of these platforms, especially Snapchat. The central idea here is to remove elements that they don’t really want to talk about. Instead, these terms focus on what they want to catch the limelight.
There are reasons why complete phrases like “How are you doing?” are not used on Snapchat. Similarly, the significant demographics on Snapchat do not want to spend seconds typing complete phrases. In the end, these slang terms enable quicker communication.
Popular Snapchat Slang and Acronyms Everyone Should Know
We cannot possibly explain the meaning of all Snapchat slang and acronyms. Therefore, we have selected a few over 20 terms that are pretty popular on the Snapchat platform. Snapchat users tend to rely on this slang and acronym terms to communicate.
I shall provide you with a more extensive list of such terms, but you get a quick summary of some standard terms first.
What does WGATmean on Snapchat?
There are two potential meanings for WGATon Snapchat.
One, WGATis considered a common misspelling of “What”. This happens because the letters g and h are placed right next to each other on most keyboards.
WGAT may also be an acronym for “Who Gives A Toast.” When someone says WGAT as a reply to a message, it means they want to dismiss the importance of whatever you were talking about.
However, you have to understand the meaning of WGATbased on the capitalization.
What does S or C mean on Snapchat?
Within the context of Snapchat, S or C means “Streak” or “Chat”. This slang is used when you start interacting with someone on Snapchat. S means sending a Snap and C means chatting.
The answer to this question could be either S or C, indicating what they want to do right now. This slang is a good way to understand what the person on the other end wants from the chat.
It could also mean “Snapchat Streaks”, which you maintain for over a few days. You get to keep this streak if you have been sending Snaps with a person every day. So, depending on the conversation, S could mean “Streaks.”
What does Snap mean on Snapchat?
Snap is another common term on Snapchat. To Snap means to send an image/video through the platform. It is different than texting on the platform. People may also ask you to “send a snap” or if they can “have your Snap.”
What does SU mean on Snapchat?
You might come across a term called SU on Snapchat, especially while viewing Snapchat stories. In this case, it means “Swipe Up”, which means the user encourages you to reply to the story. It could also be written like S/U.
What does ESB mean on Snapchat?
ESB is another slang/acronym you may come across in group chats on Snapchat. ESB means “Everyone Snap Back”, which means the sender is asking everyone in the group to send a photo back. You might get this slang on your personal message if someone had sent the same message to everyone.
What does ISTG mean on Snapchat?
ISTG is an acronym that expands to “I Swear to God.” People use this when they want to emphasize that they are telling the truth. This internet acronym is becoming all over the internet, not just Snapchat, given the increasing demographics of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
What does SMH mean on Snapchat?
SMH is a common acronym for “Shake My Head” and is used across the internet, not just Snapchat. However, it is most commonly used on Snapchat when a person wants to say that they are disappointed with what is going on.
What does SR mean on Snapchat?
SR, in the context of Snapchat, means “Slow Replies.” You may see SR as a status update or an indicator, saying that the person will be replying to your texts/snaps slower than usual.
What does OTP mean on Snapchat?
OTP means “On The Phone” on Snapchat and refers to a status update. It is important not to confuse this OTP with One-Time Password, which is a universal term used in two-factor authentication systems.
Now, here’s a larger table consisting of Snapchat slang and terms that you would come across daily.
Snapchat Slang/Term | Meaning/Description |
WGAT | Typo for “What,” often used in casual texting. |
S or C | “Streaks or Chat”; is used to ask if someone wants to maintain a streak or just chat. |
Snap | A message sent via Snapchat can be a photo or video. |
HMU | “Hit Me Up”; is an invitation for someone to contact you. |
STG | “Swear To God”; is used to emphasize the truth of a statement. |
TBH | “To Be Honest”; is often used before giving an honest opinion or compliment. |
LMK | “Let Me Know”; asking someone to inform you about something. |
OOMF | “One Of My Followers/Friends”; is used to refer to someone on social media without naming them. |
OTP | “On The Phone”; indicates that someone is currently on a phone call. |
SMH | “Shaking My Head”; is used to express disbelief or disappointment. |
IDC | “I Don’t Care”; is a way to express indifference. |
IMO | “In My Opinion”; is used to preface a personal viewpoint. |
LMAO | “Laughing My A** Off”; is used to indicate that something is very funny. |
FOMO | “Fear Of Missing Out”; is used to describe the anxiety of missing out on something. |
BRB | “Be Right Back”; is used when temporarily leaving a conversation. |
TTYL | “Talk To You Later”; is a sign-off phrase for when you plan to continue a conversation later. |
IRL | “In Real Life”; is used to distinguish between online and offline interactions. |
GOAT | “Greatest Of All Time”; is used to refer to someone or something that is the best. |
IDK | “I Don’t Know”; is a phrase indicating uncertainty or lack of knowledge. |
YOLO | “You Only Live Once”; is used to express the idea of taking risks or making the most of life. |
IYKYK | “If You Know, You Know”; is used to imply that something is an inside joke or reference. |
WYD | “What You Doing?”; is a casual way to ask someone what they are currently up to. |
ICYMI | “In Case You Missed It”; is used to highlight something important that was shared earlier. |
TFW | “That Feeling When”; is used to describe a relatable emotional situation. |
AMA | “Ask Me Anything”; is an open invitation for questions, often seen in Q&A sessions. |
BAE | “Before Anyone Else”; is a term of endearment for a significant other. |
Lit | Used to describe something exciting or excellent. |
Snatched | Means something looks good or someone’s style is on point. |
Flex | Showing off or boasting, typically about possessions or achievements. |
Salty | Being upset or bitter about something, often in a petty way. |
Lowkey | Something that is intended to be kept on the down low or not widely known. |
Ghost | To suddenly stop communicating with someone without explanation. |
WYA | “Where You At?”; asking someone for their current location or plans. |
Slay | To do something exceptionally well or look really good. |
Fam | Short for “family”; used to refer to close friends. |
Receipts | Evidence or proof of something, often in the context of exposing a lie. |
Vibe Check | Asking someone how they are feeling or gauging the mood of a situation. |
Fire | Used to describe something that is really good or hot. |
Curve | To reject someone romantically, often subtly. |
Dime | A term for someone who is considered to be very attractive (a “10”). |
Squad | A group of friends who regularly hang out together. |
Dank | Used to describe something as high quality or cool. |
Ship | Short for “relationship”; used to express support for a romantic pairing. |
Thirsty | Desperate for attention, often in a romantic or sexual context. |
DM | “Direct Message”; is a private message sent on social media platforms. |
Ratio | When a post’s comments or dislikes outnumber the likes, indicating disapproval. |
Shook | To be extremely surprised or shocked. |
Tea | Gossip or news, is often used in the phrase “spilling the tea.” |
Whip | Slang for a car. |
Cap/No Cap | “Cap” means a lie, and “No Cap” means no lie or truth. |
Bussin | Something that is really good, often used for food. |
Glow Up | A transformation to a better version, typically referring to appearance. |
Throw Shade | To subtly insult or criticize someone. |
Clap Back | A quick, witty, and often sharp response to criticism or an insult. |
Sus | Short for “suspect” or “suspicious”; often used to describe something that seems off. |
Main Character Energy | The feeling of being the protagonist in your own life story. |
Noob | A newcomer/newbie or someone inexperienced, often used in gaming. |
BFF | “Best Friends Forever”; is a term of endearment for a very close friend. |
Mood | A term used to express relatability to a situation, often accompanied by an image or meme. |
Stan | A portmanteau of “stalker” and “fan,” meaning an obsessive fan, sometimes with positive connotations. |
Woke | Being socially and politically aware, particularly about issues of social justice. |
Bet | Used to agree with something, similar to “okay” or “sure.” |
G.O.A.T. | “Greatest Of All Time”; is used to describe someone who is considered the best in their field. |
Cheugy | A term used to describe someone who is out of date or trying too hard to be trendy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when someone asks S or C on Snapchat Instagram?
It means the person is asking if you want to Snap or Chat. Depending on your intentions, you can reply with S or C. However, if they are simply asking S, it would be to check whether you want to continue the “Streak” with the person.
What does it mean ‘to have your snap’?
To snap your Snap may mean two things. One, they could be asking for your Snapchat ID so that they can hit you up. Two, if they already have your Snapchat ID, they may be asking you to send a snap.
Conclusion
I believe this guide helped you understand the nuances of Snapchat slang and acronyms. These slang terms and acronyms keep changing and may gain/lose popularity over time. So, if you are new to the platform, you must check which of these terms are valid and which are not.
