I still smile when I hear “talk to the hand” or “that’s so phat,” because these 90s slang words take me straight back to neon windbreakers, mixtapes, and Saturday morning cartoons.
I remember trading Pogs with my friends and declaring things “rad” or “fly” without a second thought. Though the world has moved on to emojis and LOLs, many of those classic expressions have stood the test of time, popping up in conversations, social media captions, and even TV shows today.
In this post, I’ll walk you through 25 of the most popular 90s slang words that every ’90s kid still uses (knowingly or not), complete with the stories and small moments that made them unforgettable.
If you’re a fellow 90s kid feeling nostalgic or someone curious about where these iconic slang phrases came from, you’re in for a fun ride through the decade that gave us some of the coolest, and quirkiest, lingo in pop culture history.
In a Nutshell
- A rundown of 25 defining ’90s slang words, from “As If” and “Da Bomb” to “Home Skillet” and “The Bomb Diggity. etc”
- Each entry includes its origin (hip-hop, teen TV, skate culture, early internet) and a quick “In short” definition.
- Real-world examples illustrate how these expressions were used in everyday ’90s conversation.
- Contextual insights show how these phrases shaped, and still pop up in, modern vernacular for nostalgic flair.
Reviving vintage slang isn’t about sounding old-school, it’s about showing you’ve got flavor and a memory.
John @Slangwise
Popular 1990s Slang Words That 90s Kid Still Uses Today
- In a Nutshell
- Popular 1990s Slang Words That 90s Kid Still Uses Today
- 1. As If
- 2. Da Bomb
- 3. Phat
- 4. Fly
- 5. All That (and a Bag of Chips)
- 6. Word
- 7. My Bad
- 8. Talk to the Hand
- 9. Crib
- 10. Homey
- 11. Dope
- 12. Wassup
- 13. Oh Snap
- 14. Booyah
- 15. Chillax
- 16. Word to Your Mother
- 17. Kick Rocks
- 18. Take a Chill Pill
- 19. Peace Out
- 20. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It
- 21. Eat My Shorts
- 22. The Bomb Diggity
- 23. Fresh
- 24. Word Up
- 25. Home Skillet
- Concluding Thought
- Related Terms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About the Author
1. As If
As if is a dismissive retort equivalent to “No way” or “I don’t think so.” It was cemented by the 1995 film Clueless, used by Gen-X and millennial TV writers to parody teenage skepticism.
In short: As If = expression of disbelief or refusal.
Example/Usage: “You’re going to the party without me? As if you know the way”
2. Da Bomb
Da Bomb is more like a big praise for something excellent or outstanding. It emerged from African American Vernacular English and was popularized by MTV’s programming in the early 90s.
In short: Da Bomb = something exceptionally good.
Example/Usage: “That new video game is da bomb, best graphics of the year.”
3. Phat
Phat is an acronym for “Pretty Hot And Tempting,”. And it’s used to describe something cool or attractive. It originated in early 90s hip-hop circles; frequently heard in rap lyrics and urban fashion scenes.
In short: Phat = outstanding, appealing.
Example/Usage: “Check out those sneakers; they’re totally phat.”
4. Fly
Fly in the 90s is means stylish, attractive, or cool in appearance or demeanor. It Stems from 80s hip-hop and R&B; gained mainstream traction in the 90s across music videos and fashion magazines.
In short: Fly = fashionable or impressive.
Example/Usage: “Her outfit is fly, she always nails that streetwear look.”
5. All That (and a Bag of Chips)
This 90s catchphrase means to be the best at something, often with extra flair or value. It came from 90s advertising jingles; “all that and a bag of chips” became a catchphrase for being more than adequate.
In short: All That = the best, with bonus perks.
Example/Usage: “That party was all that (and a bag of chips), best one this year.”
6. Word
Word in 90s slang means agreement or affirmation, similar to saying “true” or “I hear you.”
It was rooted in 80s hip-hop but gained traction in mainstream 90s rap and R&B music as a simple acknowledgment.
In short: Word = expression of agreement or understanding.
Example/Usage: “We’re meeting at six? Word.”
7. My Bad
This popular slang means casual apology acknowledging a mistake.
Credited to 90s basketball court vernacular; widely adopted by youth after appearing in televised games.
In short: My Bad = acknowledgement of an error or wrongdoing.
Example/Usage: “Sorry I grabbed your fries, my bad, I forgot you ordered them.”
8. Talk to the Hand
This slang phrase is a dismissive phrase meaning “I’m not listening” or “Leave me alone.” It was popularized by 90s sitcoms and music videos; visualized by raising a palm toward the other person.
In short: Talk to the Hand = rejecting communication.
Example/Usage: “I don’t want to hear your complaints, talk to the hand.”
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9. Crib
Crib is slang word for one’s home or living space. It Circulated in early 90s hip-hop and R&B lyrics; crib conveyed both literal residence and personal style.
In short: Crib = home or place of residence.
Example/Usage: “Come over to my crib after school, we’ll chill.”
10. Homey
Close friend or trusted companion; sometimes used for respect. Rooted in 80s hip-hop (“homeboy” shortened to “homey”); became widespread among 90s urban youth.
In short: Homey = friend or buddy.
Example/Usage: “What’s up, homey? Ready for the game tonight?”
11. Dope
Dope is an excellent or impressive; also used to describe someone knowledgeable about hip-hop culture. It was already present in 80s slang, but “dope” saw a resurgence in the 90s via hip-hop fashion and music scenes.
In short: Dope = cool, impressive.
Example/Usage: “That track you made is dope, spinning it at the party.”
12. Wassup
Wassup is an unformal greeting meaning “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?”. Revolutionary Budweiser “Whassup?” ad campaign (1999–2002) popularized the elongated pronunciation; young fellas embraced it in everyday speech.
In short: Wassup = casual “hello” or “what’s happening?”
Example/Usage: “Wassup, dude? Haven’t seen you since summer.”
13. Oh Snap
Oh Snap is an exclamation of surprise, shock, or realization.
It gained momentum through 90s sitcoms and early internet meme culture; “oh snap” captured sudden recognition.
In short: Oh Snap = exclaimed reaction to unexpected news.
Example/Usage: “You got tickets to the concert? Oh snap, that’s amazing!”
14. Booyah
Booyah is an exclamation of triumph or excitement.
It was derived from African American Vernacular English and popularized by 90s basketball commentators and video games.
In short: Booyah = celebratory exclamation.
Example/Usage: “Caught that game-winning shot, booyah!”
15. Chillax
Portmanteau of “chill” and “relax,” meaning to calm down.
The early 90s surfer and skate culture merged “chill” with “relax,” then spread through MTV and teen movies.
In short: Chillax = take it easy, calm down.
Example/Usage: “No need to stress, just chillax and enjoy the ride.”
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16. Word to Your Mother
Word to your mother is an expression of respect or agreement, amplifying the simple “word.” It surfaced in West Coast hip-hop circles, then popularized by teen programming on Nickelodeon and MTV.
In short: Word to Your Mother = emphatic agreement or salute.
Example/Usage: “That advice was solid, word to your mother.”
17. Kick Rocks
Kick Rocks is a dismissive slang phrase meaning “go away” or “leave me alone.”
Its an early 90s skateboarding culture; “kick rocks” implied tossing someone aside like a pebbled obstacle.
In short: Kick Rocks = telling someone to scram.
Example/Usage: “You’re not invited to the party, kick rocks.”
18. Take a Chill Pill
This 90s slang phrase is a directive to calm down or stop overreacting.
It gained traction from 90s sitcoms and teen films as a humorous way to tell someone to relax.
In short: Take a Chill Pill = calm yourself.
Example/Usage: “You’re freaking out over nothing, take a chill pill!”
19. Peace Out
Peace Out is a casual farewell meaning “goodbye” or “see you later.”
It was borrowed from African American Vernacular English and popularized by hip-hop culture and 90s skate videos.
In short: Peace Out = bye!
Example/Usage: “I’ve got to head home, peace out!”
20. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It
It means dancing or having a good time in a stylish, confident way.
It sprung from Will Smith’s 1998 hit single “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” which brought the phrase into mainstream slang.
In short: Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It = partying/dancing confidently.
Example/Usage: “We hit the club and were gettin’ jiggy wit it all night.”
21. Eat My Shorts
Eat my short is a rebellious retort meaning “leave me alone” or “forget about it.”
It was popularized by Bart Simpson on The Simpsons (1989–1998), it became a go-to phrase for playful defiance.
In short: Eat My Shorts = go away; I’m not listening.
Example/Usage: “You think you can beat me? Eat my shorts!”
22. The Bomb Diggity
The Bomb Diggity is an emphatic way to say something is exceptionally excellent. It’s a playful extension of “da bomb,” with “diggity” tacked on for extra flair, often heard in 90s R&B and rap.
In short: The Bomb Diggity = top-tier awesome.
Example/Usage: “That new sneaker collab is the bomb diggity!”
23. Fresh
Fresh means stylish, new, or impressive. It carries over from 80s hip-hop but really took off in the 90s via music videos, fashion magazines, and streetwear culture.
In short: Fresh = cool and on-trend.
Example/Usage: “Have you seen his fresh Adidas track suit?”
24. Word Up
Word up is an expression of agreement or acknowledgement, similar to “word.”
It came from the 1986 funk hit “Word Up!” by Cameo, and kept alive in 90s urban radio and club scenes.
In short: Word Up = exactly; I agree.
Example Usage: “We’re meeting at eight? Word up!”
25. Home Skillet
Home Skillet is a friendly term for a close friend or buddy. Derived from “home skillet,” a playful spin on “homeboy,” popularized in 90s rap lyrics and teen talk.
In short: Home Skillet = close friend.
Example Usage: “What’s up, home skillet? Ready to hit the arcade?”
Concluding Thought
And there you have it, 25 ’90s slang words that took us from skate parks and mixtapes to today’s chats and captions. If you chose to drop a “booyah” in victory or tell someone to “take a chill pill,” these slang terms and phrases carry the decade’s spirit wherever they go.
Related Terms
For further exploration of iconic slang across generations, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
Most originated from hip-hop music, teen-oriented television, and the early internet. Media exposure, through music videos, sitcoms, and viral ads, amplified these expressions, embedding them into everyday youth vernacular.
A few, like “dope” and “my bad,” remain common, albeit less trendy. Others, such as “talk to the hand” or “as if”, are now nostalgic throwbacks, occasionally used ironically for effect.
Yes, using select 90s slang words can add retro flair or playful nostalgia. However, it’s important to consider audience and context, as overuse may detract from authenticity or come across as forced.
About the Author
Agboola John is the founder of SlangWise.com and a leading researcher of generational slang trends. With extensive linguistic analysis and cultural expertise, John decodes evolving vernacular to help readers stay informed and fluent in modern slang.