10 English slang terms you need to know in 2026

Language is constantly evolving and changing — particularly online. Every scroll seems to drop a new phrase or word long before they’ll ever hit the dictionaries. This slang spills into meetings, social media trends, and dinner table conversations. If you don’t keep up with the latest slang, you might just miss out on a world of humor, irony, and pop culture references taking place around you. 

Here’s our handy guide breaking down 10 English slang words you’ll be seeing in TikTok videos, IG captions, and yes, even your group chats in 2026. 

1. Pop off 

This is used to describe when someone (or something) does exceptionally well — maybe it’s a main-character moment. You can use it to hype someone up, compliment them, or celebrate them.  

Example: “Your video is at 1 million views, pop off girl!”

2. Based 

"Based" is used to describe someone who’s authentic, confident, and unapologetically themselves — no matter what other people think. It’s a compliment for being genuine and recognizes individuality. 

Example: “You brought your own snacks to the cinema? Based behavior.”

3. Crashing out 

This term means to suddenly burn out, emotionally spiral, or give up loudly or dramatically after intense effort or hype. It can describe total overwhelm, or even a bit of a meltdown when someone's energy just completely runs out.

Example: “I pulled an all-nighter for my exam and crashed out the second it was over.”

4. Unc 

Unc is short for uncle, and can be used to affectionately refer to an older person. In slang, it’s often used to teasingly call someone old if they’re behind on the times, or acting older than their age.

Example: “I couldn’t figure out how to repost on TikTok, I feel so unc.” 

5. Aura farming 

“Aura” is commonly used to refer to someone or something cool. “Aura farming” is used to describe someone trying to up their aura through the act of deliberately (and perhaps, somewhat performatively) curating their vibe, image, or aesthetic — especially online.

Example: “Posted a cute picture of my matcha and book — aura farming complete.”

6. Chopped 

Definition: When something doesn’t live up to expectation, or it’s just not “hitting” — the vibe, the outfit, the attitude — it’s chopped. In short: if it’s not giving, it’s chopped.

Example: “This music playlist is chopped; the vibes are all over the place.”

7. Canon event 

Mostly used lightheartedly, this term refers to a defining life experience — often chaotic or difficult — that shapes who you are as a person and your life story. It’s borrowed from movie and comic-book language, where a canon event is something essential to the plot. 

Example: “Realizing you’ve been pronouncing a word wrong your whole life — canon event.”

8. Serve / serving  

To serve is to deliver something impressively, usually a look, vibe, or performance. If you’re serving, you’re giving a specific energy on purpose (boss, cozy, glam), and it lands.

Example: “You’re serving farmer’s market with that tote bag and baguette.”

9. 404 coded

404 coded is used to describe someone who is a little absent — it’s a play on the web error message “404 Not Found.” In other words, this person may seem clueless, checked out, or simply not quite present.

Example: “First day back at school and my brain is 404 coded.”

10. Rich in life

This phrase doesn't mean having a lot of money; it means you have lots of what makes you feel good — experiences, great friends, health, time, curiosity, purpose, and day-to-day joy. It’s the kind of wealth you can feel, not count.

Example: “Rich in life because I romanticize the small stuff.”