Quick answer
The most popular 90s slang words include "as if" (no way), "da bomb" (the best), "all that and a bag of chips" (amazing), "talk to the hand" (I'm not listening), "booyah" (yes!), "phat" (cool), "my bad" (sorry), "not!" and "whatever".
The classics
| Slang | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| As if! | No way | "Me, go out with him? As if!" |
| Da bomb | The best | "This mixtape is da bomb." |
| All that and a bag of chips | Amazing, and then some | "She thinks she's all that and a bag of chips." |
| Talk to the hand | I'm not listening | "Talk to the hand, 'cause the face ain't listening." |
| Booyah | Yes! (celebration) | "Booyah! I won." |
| Whatever | I don't care | "Whatever. I'm going home." |
| Not! | Just kidding (after a statement) | "I love homework. Not!" |
| Psych! | Fooled you | "I'll lend you my CD. Psych!" |
| My bad | My mistake | "My bad, I forgot." |
| Phat | Cool, excellent | "Those sneakers are phat." |
Cool, great and awesome
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fly | Stylish, attractive |
| Dope | Cool, excellent |
| Tight | Great |
| Sweet | Awesome |
| Fresh | New and cool |
| All that | Impressive |
| Bomb-diggity | Extremely good |
| Off the hook | Wild, amazing |
| Jiggy | Stylish, ready to party |
| Cool beans | Sounds good |
| Rad | Leftover 80s for "awesome" |
| Stellar | Excellent |
| Choice | Great |
| Wicked | Very (regional) |
| Hella | Very (West Coast) |
Not cool
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wack | Bad, lame |
| Buggin' | Acting crazy |
| Wiggin' out | Freaking out |
| Trippin' | Overreacting |
| Weak | Disappointing |
| Lame | Uncool |
| Bogus | Unfair, fake |
| Sketchy | Suspicious |
| Busted | Ugly, or caught |
| Played out | No longer cool |
Greetings and reactions
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wassup? | Hello, what's going on |
| Word | I agree / true |
| Word up | Hello / I agree |
| Peace out | Goodbye |
| Later | Goodbye |
| Oh snap! | Wow / burn |
| Don't go there | Don't bring that up |
| Boo-yah | Victory cry |
| Eat my shorts | Get lost (cartoon catchphrase) |
| Don't have a cow | Calm down |
| Talk to me | Tell me more |
| Chill | Relax |
| Chillax | Chill and relax |
| Sike | Alternate spelling of psych |
| Raise the roof | Celebrate (with hand motion) |
People and relationships
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Homie | Close friend |
| Home skillet | Friend |
| Boo | Boyfriend or girlfriend |
| Betty | An attractive girl |
| Baldwin | An attractive guy |
| Shady | Untrustworthy |
| Player | Someone who dates a lot |
| Wannabe | A poser |
| Poser | A fake |
| Scrub | A guy with no ambition |
Fun fact: Many 90s slang words came from hip hop and spread through TV and movies. Teen movies turned phrases like "as if" and "whatever" into national catchphrases.
Use them in a game of 90s would you rather, put them on a classroom bulletin board, or read about the culture behind them in 90s hip hop fashion.
Where 90s slang came from
| Source | Examples |
|---|---|
| Hip hop | Phat, fly, dope, word, homie, jiggy |
| Teen movies | As if, whatever |
| Sitcoms and cartoons | Don't have a cow, eat my shorts, oh snap |
| Regional | Hella (West Coast), wicked (New England) |
| Skater and surfer culture | Rad, gnarly, sketchy |
90s slang still used today
My bad
Still everywhere.
Whatever
Eye-roll included.
Chill
Never left.
Dope
Still means cool.
Shady
Still means untrustworthy.
Use 90s slang at a party
Slang bingo
Guests cross off slang they hear.
Guess the meaning
Read the word, guests guess the definition.
Signs and decor
Print "As if!" and "Talk to the hand" signs.
How slang spread in the 90s
Slang in the 90s spread through a mix of music, TV and movies. Hip hop artists introduced words that moved quickly from city neighborhoods to suburban schools. Teen movies and sitcoms turned phrases into national catchphrases within weeks. Cartoons gave kids lines they repeated endlessly. By the late 90s, the early internet added its own shorthand, from chat-room abbreviations to the first memes.
Because most people watched the same shows and listened to the same radio, slang traveled further and faster than ever before. A phrase heard on a Thursday night sitcom could be everywhere in schools by Monday.
Regional slang
Not every 90s word was national. Some stayed strongly regional: words that marked you as coming from the West Coast, New England or the South. Skaters, surfers, ravers and gamers had their own vocabularies too. Part of the fun of 90s slang is remembering which words belonged to which group.
Respecting where slang comes from
Many of the most popular 90s slang words came from African American English and hip hop culture before spreading to the mainstream. Knowing that history adds depth to the nostalgia and helps explain why the words had such energy.
Slang that stuck vs slang that faded
Some 90s slang never went away: "my bad", "whatever", "chill" and "shady" are still in everyday use. Others faded fast and now sound instantly dated, which makes them perfect for 90s parties and costume nights. Mixing a few of each in conversation is the easiest way to channel the decade.
Conclusion
90s slang was playful, borrowed heavily from hip hop and teen movies, and much of it is still around. Bring it to your next party with 90s party games.
Frequently asked questions
What were popular slang words in the 90s?
Popular 90s slang included "as if", "da bomb", "all that and a bag of chips", "talk to the hand", "booyah", "phat", "whatever", "my bad", "not!", "psych", "da bomb", "fly", "wassup" and "bling".
What does "as if" mean?
"As if!" was a dismissive way of saying "no way" or "that will never happen". It was popularized by a 1995 teen movie.
What does "all that and a bag of chips" mean?
It means someone or something is great and then some, better than expected.
What does "da bomb" mean?
"Da bomb" means the best or extremely cool, as in "This pizza is da bomb."
What does "word" mean in 90s slang?
"Word" means "I agree" or "that's true", and "word up" could also be a greeting.