Language never stays frozen. Every generation reshapes words, invents expressions, and creates shortcuts that reflect how people actually communicate.
This creative layer of language is called slang. Unlike formal vocabulary, slang grows naturally through everyday conversations, social media, music culture, and online communities.
In 2017, slang culture exploded across the internet. Platforms like Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram made it possible for a single phrase to go viral overnight.
A meme, a tweet, or a viral video could introduce a new word that millions of people start using within days.
Because of this rapid spread, slang became a powerful tool for expressing humor, personality, and identity.
People use slang because it feels more expressive, emotional, and relatable than standard language.
Instead of saying something was very good, someone might say it was “fire” or “lit.” These words carry energy and social meaning that simple vocabulary cannot always capture.
Even though slang changes quickly, many expressions from 2017 internet culture are still recognized today. Some remain popular in online conversations, while others feel nostalgic and remind us how fast digital language evolves.
Understanding these terms helps you follow online conversations, memes, and modern youth communication without feeling lost.
Quick Reference Table
| Slang Term | Meaning | Tone | Age Group | Online/Offline Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lit | Extremely exciting or fun | Positive | Teens–20s | Both |
| Untamed | Bold or brutally honest behavior | Humorous | Teens–30s | Both |
| Salty | Annoyed or bitter | Negative | Teens–20s | Both |
| Extra | Overly dramatic | Playful | Teens–20s | Both |
| Flex | Showing off | Neutral | Teens–30s | Both |
| Fam | Close friends | Friendly | Teens–20s | Both |
| Low-key | Slightly or secretly | Neutral | Teens–30s | Both |
| High-key | Very obviously | Neutral | Teens–30s | Online |
| Woke | Socially aware | Serious | Teens–30s | Both |
| Shade | Subtle insult | Humorous | Teens–30s | Both |
| GOAT | Greatest of all time | Praise | Teens–30s | Both |
| Squad | Friend group | Friendly | Teens–20s | Both |
| Clapback | Sharp comeback | Bold | Teens–30s | Online |
| Receipts | Proof or evidence | Neutral | Teens–30s | Online |
| Mood | Relatable feeling | Casual | Teens–20s | Online |
| Goals | Something admirable | Positive | Teens–20s | Online |
| Basic | Unoriginal personality | Mocking | Teens–20s | Both |
| Ghost | Suddenly stop replying | Casual | Teens–20s | Online |
| Bae | Romantic partner | Affectionate | Teens–20s | Both |
| Dead | Laughing extremely hard | Funny | Teens–20s | Online |
| Fire | Excellent or impressive | Positive | Teens–20s | Both |
| Tea | Gossip or news | Casual | Teens–30s | Both |
| Thirsty | Desperate for attention | Mocking | Teens–20s | Both |
| Drag | Criticize harshly | Humorous | Teens–30s | Online |
| Shook | Shocked or surprised | Casual | Teens–20s | Both |
| Curve | Reject someone | Casual | Teens–20s | Both |
| Slay | Do something amazingly well | Positive | Teens–30s | Both |
27 Popular 2017 Slang Terms
Slang: Lit
- Meaning: Used when something feels extremely exciting, energetic, or fun. People often use it when describing parties, concerts, or memorable moments.
- When to Use It: When talking about events, celebrations, or anything that feels amazing.
- When NOT to Use It: Formal conversations or professional communication.
- Example Conversation
A: “How was the party last night?”
B: “It was lit. Everyone stayed until 3 AM.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Untamed
- Meaning: Describes someone who behaves fearlessly, brutally honest, or hilariously ruthless.
- When to Use It: When someone delivers a bold comeback or joke.
- When NOT to Use It: Sensitive situations where honesty might hurt someone.
- Example Conversation
A: “She replied with one sentence and ended the argument.”
B: “Wow… that was untamed.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Salty
- Meaning: When someone is annoyed, bitter, or slightly upset, often over something small.
- When to Use It: Friendly teasing between friends.
- When NOT to Use It: When someone is genuinely hurt.
- Example Conversation
A: “You’re still mad about losing the game?”
B: “I’m not salty, just competitive.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Extra
- Meaning: Someone behaving overly dramatic or unnecessarily exaggerated.
- When to Use It: Describing dramatic reactions or attention-seeking behavior.
- When NOT to Use It: Serious or professional discussions.
- Example Conversation
A: “She brought a cake and balloons to a small meeting.”
B: “That’s a little extra.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Flex
- Meaning: Showing off achievements, money, style, or success.
- When to Use It: Playful bragging or joking about success.
- When NOT to Use It: When humility is important.
- Example Conversation
A: “New gaming setup?”
B: “Yeah… just a small flex.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Fam
- Meaning: A friendly way to refer to close friends who feel like family.
- Example Conversation
A: “What’s up, fam?”
B: “Nothing much, just chilling.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Low-key
- Meaning: Expressing something quietly, subtly, or secretly.
- Example Conversation
A: “Did you enjoy the movie?”
B: “I low-key loved it.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: High-key
- Meaning: The opposite of low-key — openly and strongly expressing a feeling.
- Example Conversation
A: “Are you excited about the trip?”
B: “I’m high-key excited.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Woke
- Meaning: Being aware of social and political issues.
- Example Conversation
A: “He talks a lot about equality.”
B: “Yeah, he’s very woke.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Shade
- Meaning: A subtle insult or sarcastic comment.
- Example Conversation
A: “She said my outfit was ‘interesting.’”
B: “That sounds like shade.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: GOAT
- Meaning: Acronym for Greatest Of All Time, used for legendary performers.
- Example Conversation
A: “He broke another record.”
B: “He’s the GOAT.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Squad
- Meaning: A tight group of friends who regularly hang out together.
- Example Conversation
A: “Who are you traveling with?”
B: “My squad.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Clapback
- Meaning: A quick and clever comeback to criticism.
- Example Conversation
A: “Did you see her tweet reply?”
B: “That clapback was perfect.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Receipts
- Meaning: Evidence or proof to support a claim.
- Example Conversation
A: “You said you finished the work.”
B: “I’ve got the receipts.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Mood
- Meaning: Something that perfectly represents how you feel.
- Example Conversation
A: shares sleepy meme
B: “That’s my mood.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Goals
- Meaning: Something admired or inspirational.
- Example Conversation
A: “They travel together every month.”
B: “Couple goals.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Basic
- Meaning: Someone who follows predictable trends without originality.
- Example Conversation
A: “Pumpkin spice again?”
B: “That’s so basic.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Ghost
- Meaning: Suddenly stop responding to messages or disappear socially.
- Example Conversation
A: “Did he reply?”
B: “No… he ghosted me.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Bae
- Meaning: A romantic partner or crush.
- Example Conversation
A: “Where are you going tonight?”
B: “Out with bae.”
- Is It Still Trending? Old School
Slang: Dead
- Meaning: Used when something is extremely funny.
- Example Conversation
A: “That meme was hilarious.”
B: “I’m dead.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Fire
- Meaning: Something impressive, cool, or amazing.
- Example Conversation
A: “Did you hear the new song?”
B: “Yeah, it’s fire.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Tea
- Meaning: Gossip or interesting news.
- Example Conversation
A: “I heard something interesting today.”
B: “Spill the tea.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Thirsty
- Meaning: Someone desperately seeking attention or approval.
- Example Conversation
A: “He commented on every post.”
B: “That’s thirsty.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Drag
- Meaning: To publicly criticize someone harshly.
- Example Conversation
A: “Did you watch the debate?”
B: “She dragged him.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Shook
- Meaning: Feeling deeply shocked or surprised.
- Example Conversation
A: “They canceled the show.”
B: “I’m shook.”
- Is It Still Trending? Declining
Slang: Curve
- Meaning: Politely rejecting someone’s romantic interest.
- Example Conversation
A: “Did she accept the invitation?”
B: “No, she curved me.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Slang: Slay
- Meaning: Performing something exceptionally well or confidently.
- Example Conversation
A: “Your presentation was amazing.”
B: “You slayed it.”
- Is It Still Trending? Yes
Generational Slang Comparison
Gen Z
Gen Z slang spreads rapidly through TikTok, gaming communities, and meme culture. Words can trend globally within days and disappear just as quickly.
Millennials
Millennial slang from the 2010s, including many 2017 expressions, was heavily influenced by Twitter culture, pop music, and viral internet humor.
Older Generations
Earlier slang developed more slowly and often came from local communities, music scenes, and regional culture rather than fast-moving digital platforms.
How to Use Slang Naturally Without Sounding Awkward
Match the tone
Slang feels natural when the conversation is casual. In professional or formal discussions, it can sound out of place.
Understand the context
Many slang expressions are designed for online communication, especially memes and social media captions.
Be aware of your social setting
Using slang among friends works well, but in academic or business environments it may appear unprofessional or confusing.
Common Slang Mistakes
Using outdated slang
Some words from older internet eras may feel cringey or outdated today.
Using slang in formal writing
Slang rarely belongs in academic papers, business emails, or official communication.
Overusing slang
Too many slang terms in one sentence can make speech sound forced or unnatural.
Practice Section
Fill in the blanks
- That concert last night was completely ______.
- He posted his new car online just to ______.
- She ignored all my messages and totally ______ me.
- That meme perfectly describes my ______.
- I’m still ______ about the surprise ending.
- Stop being ______ just because you lost the game.
- That comeback was absolutely ______.
- Spill the ______, what happened yesterday?
- Your outfit is ______ today.
- That performance was ______.
Choose the correct slang
- Which slang means showing off?
A) Ghost
B) Flex
C) Shade
D) Drag - Which slang refers to gossip?
A) Tea
B) Squad
C) Goals
D) Bae - Which slang means very funny?
A) Dead
B) Woke
C) Curve
D) Basic - Which slang refers to rejecting someone romantically?
A) Drag
B) Curve
C) Mood
D) Squad - Which slang means greatest of all time?
A) Fire
B) GOAT
C) untamed
D) Shade
Rewrite the sentence using slang
- “That music is extremely good.”
- “She suddenly stopped replying to messages.”
- “He responded very harshly to criticism.”
FAQs
What was the most popular slang in 2017?
Some of the most recognizable slang terms were lit, untamed, fire, mood, and GOAT, all of which spread quickly through social media and meme culture.
Why did 2017 slang spread so quickly?
Because of social media platforms and viral memes, new words could reach millions of users almost instantly.
Is 2017 slang still used today?
Some expressions like GOAT, fire, and ghosting are still common, while others like bae or squad feel more nostalgic.
Where does internet slang usually originate?
Internet slang often starts in music culture, gaming communities, online forums, and social media trends.
Can slang be used in professional writing?
Generally no. Slang works best in casual communication, while professional writing should remain clear and formal.
Conclusion
Slang is more than just playful language — it reflects culture, creativity, and social identity.
The slang that became popular in 2017 captured a unique moment in internet history, when memes, tweets, and viral videos shaped how millions of people spoke online.
Some expressions have faded, while others remain part of everyday digital conversations.
Understanding these terms helps you navigate modern online communication, humor, and social media culture more naturally.
The key is to use slang thoughtfully and in the right context. When used naturally, it adds personality, humor, and authenticity to conversations without sounding forced.
Adrian Walker is a language enthusiast and content writer who enjoys exploring modern slang and everyday expressions used around the world. He writes simple and engaging guides to help readers understand trending words, internet language, and their real meanings.
