Cheugy, Simp and Himbo: 20 internet words trending on TikTok that you won’t understand - and what they mean

It can be easy to feel left behind and over the hill as Gen Z start using new words and phrases (Simp, Cheugy, Himbo anyone?), and you have no clue what they mean.

So if you’ve been left wondering ‘am I cheugy?’ worry no more - this is your complete guide to the vocabulary of TikTok.

Fit

While in the UK, we might think the word fit is used to describe a good looking person, on TikTok it’s an abbreviation for the word outfit. So if someone is talking about their fit, they’re talking about what they’re wearing. For example: “Check out my fit today.”

Finna

The word finna comes from the phrase “fixing to”, which comes from the south of America, and it essentially means “going to do something”. For example: “I’m finna chill out on my day off.”

No cap

The phrase “no cap” is used as an expression of sincerity to show that a person isn’t lying about something, or that they’re telling the truth. Basically, it’s another way to say “seriously”. The phrase came around after it became popular to say that someone was “capping” if you thought they were lying. For example: “I didn’t take the last slice of pizza, no cap.”

CEO of X

If someone is declared the CEO of something, it means that they are the best at it. For example: “I’m the CEO of procrastination.”

Heather

On TikTok, Heather is used to describe someone as good looking/desirable - someone that other people wish they were. Originally, the name refers to the 80s film Heathers, wherein the Heathers were a group of wealthy and popular students. Recently, the term took on its new meaning thanks to a song by Conan Gray. For example: “I wish I were Heather.”

Simp

Simp was a term that was exclusively used to describe men who would do anything for a woman in hopes that she might have sex with him. Now people, regardless of gender, will refer to themselves as simps for celebrities, or other people they have crushes on. For example: “I’m such a simp for Lizzo.”

Himbo

Himbo is a mashup of the words “him” and “bimbo” and is slang for a male bimbo, essentially. On TikTok, the word became popular after a parody song of I Need a Hero by Bonnie Tyler called ‘I Need a Himbo’ went viral on the app. A himbo is described as a good looking, muscular guy who is “dumb and polite”. For example: “I love Jason from The Good Place, he’s such a himbo.”

Accountant

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you’ve probably heard the “I’m an accountant” song. It was originally created by Rocky Paterra, who said he’d tell people he works as an accountant instead of getting into the details of being a struggling actor, because “nobody asks you questions when you say you’re an accountant”. The song and the answer of “accountant” has been adopted by sex workers, primarily those with OnlyFans accounts. For example: “I’m an accountant… link in bio.”

Bussin

Bussin is used to describe delicious food. If something tastes really good, you could describe it as bussin - on the flip side, if it was awful, you would say it’s not bussin. The origins of the word are unclear. For example: “This burger is bussin.”

Cheugy

Cheugy is used to describe someone who is behind the latest trends, or out of touch. Some things considered cheugy include ugg boots, Starbucks Frappuccinos and Live, Laugh, Love decorations. For example: “Did you see what she was wearing? So cheugy.”

Extra

If someone is being extra, it means that they’re being completely over the top or dramatic. For example: “You’re being so extra right now.”

Wig

If someone were to reply to a piece of news with the word “wig”, it means that they are really shocked/excited. It refers to the idea that the surprise was so strong, it could blow your wig straight off. For example, if you told someone “I won the lottery!” they might reply “Wig!”

Tea

Tea refers to gossip - so if someone were to “spill the tea”, it means that they are spreading gossip, sort of in the same way we might say “spill the beans” in the UK. If someone “sips the tea”, it means that they are listening to the gossip. For example: “Spill the tea about what happened at the party last night.”

Yeet

Yeet can be used in a variety of ways, but it’s most popular usage is when someone throws something really hard, they might shout “yeet”. It can also be used to describe throwing something away, a.k.a “yeeting something”. Additionally, it can also be used as an exclamation of excitement, similar to “yay”. The term became popular after a video from Vine went viral which showed a girl throwing an empty can shouting “yeet!”. For example: “Watch me yeet this can into the bin.”

Fire

If something is described as fire, it means that it’s really good, or really cool. Alternatively, some people use the word “lit” instead, as the two terms are fairly interchangeable. For example: “This song is fire!”

Drip

Drip is used to describe someone that looks cool - it has basically replaced the word swag, which has declined in popularity over the past few years. For example: “I’ve got so much drip.”

Bet

Bet can be used interchangeably in a few scenarios, but mostly, it’s used as an affirmative word alternative to “okay” or “yes”. It can also be used in a “we’ll see” scenario as well, so in a sense they’re saying “bet on it”. For example if someone says,“You’ll never ask Heather out on a date, you’re too chicken” the reply might be, “Alright, bet.”

Salty

To be salty means that you’re upset, annoyed or bitter about something, generally something quite minor. For example: “Are you still salty about what happened earlier?”

Stan

Originating from the Eminem song of the same name about an obsessive fan, the word Stan has found new life on TikTok. Basically, it means that someone is a big fan of someone else, generally a celebrity. For example: “I stan Harry Styles.”

Flex

People use the word flex in order to show off, or brag about something. Alternatively, you might also see it used as a response to something that someone is complaining about (and therefore not flexing), as a joke. For example: Someone might say, “Oh man, I totally failed that test” and the response could be “Weird flex, but okay.”