Cool & Compliments
Phat
High praise for music, outfits, or kicks. Pure compliment, no relation to body size.
Fly
Stylish, sharp, attractive. If your fit was fly, you were set.
Da bomb
“The best.” Food, mixtapes, and Friday plans were all fair game.
All that
Top-tier cool — often paired with “...and a bag of chips.”
Fresh
Clean look or new vibe; connected to hip-hop fashion and streetwear.
Dope
Excellent or impressive. Still widely used today.
Attitude & Comebacks
As if!
Clueless made it iconic. Dismissive eye-roll in two words.
Talk to the hand
Classic brush-off with a palm-out gesture. Translation: “I’m done here.”
Whatever
Shrug in word form. Used to deflate drama.
Psyche!
A quick “gotcha” after a fake-out. Prankster favorite.
Booyah!
Victory shout — sports, games, and playground wins.
Pop Culture & Media
Rad
80s carryover meaning awesome, kept rolling through the 90s alt scene.
Sike
Alt spelling of “psyche”; same fake-out joke, often in notes or captions.
Scrub
Someone undesirable or unserious; popularized by TLC’s 1999 hit.
Tight
Excellent or close-knit (friends who are “tight”).
Bite
To copy someone’s style or ideas without credit.
Keep Exploring Slang
90s slang still fuels today’s memes and music. Want to trace how these terms evolved?
90s Slang: Frequently Asked Questions
- What counts as 90s slang? Phrases widely used in the 1990–1999 era via TV, hip-hop, teen culture, and early internet chat.
- Does 90s slang still show up today? Yes. Words like “dope” and “chill” remain common; others get revived through nostalgia.
- Where did most terms spread from? Music (especially hip-hop and R&B), teen TV/films, magazines, and school culture.
- What’s the difference between “fresh” and “fly”? “Fresh” leans new/clean; “fly” leans stylish/attractive.
- Is “bling” still used? Less than its 2000s peak, but the idea lives on in “iced out” and similar phrases.
- Is “as if!” rude? It’s dismissive by design. Tone and context determine whether it’s playful or cutting.
- Did brands influence slang? Yes. Ads and music videos helped mainstream terms like “wassup.”
- Is “scrub” gendered? Origin context targeted men, but usage expanded to mean any unserious person.
- Are there regional differences? Definitely. Coastal scenes and local radio/TV shaped what caught on where.
- How should I use these terms today? Sparingly and playfully — they’re best as nods to the era, not everyday crutches.
Social & Everyday Life
Homey
Close friend; member of your inner circle.
Bling
Flashy jewelry and luxury aesthetic; spread from hip-hop to mainstream.
Hype
Excitement or buzz around music, movies, or a new drop.
Word
“True” / “I agree.” Quick affirmation in conversation.
Wassup
Laid-back greeting that went nationwide via late-90s ads.
Chill
Relax, hang out, or keep emotions in check.