Here are the Top South African Slang Words of 2025 Revealed

Photo Credit: Pexels

Chooped, Delulu, Gooning and Gaslighting. Huh? – These are some of the trendiest slang words of the year, and if you’re feeling a little “out of the loop”, don’t worry. We’re here to break down South Africa’s Top Slang words of 2025.

South Africa (10 October 2025) – You may have heard a few words floating around in conversation or doing the rounds on social media lately and wondered: “Wait, what?” or “Well, what does that mean?” Well, you’re not alone.

The kids are coming up with a catchy new word or phrase nearly every week. If you’ve found yourself turning to our trusted friend, Google, for help, you’re one of many who’ve rushed to the search bar for answers.

An analysis of Google search data has released a string of the most searched slang words in South Africa for 2025. Here they are below:

Gaslighting (28,000 searches) – a type of manipulation that makes you doubt your memories and feelings. The person doing it may lie and deny things.
Sigma (15,000 searches) – refers to an independent, self-reliant person who operates outside traditional social hierarchies, often described as a ‘lone wolf.’
Sybau (14,000 searches) – Shut your b—h ass up.
Bop (12,000 searches) – A person with many sexual partners(bops around from person to person). Someone who presents oneself online in a way that is thought of as immodest. A derogatory word often used in cyberbullying.
PMO (10,500 searches) – depending on the context, this term refers to “Put me on”(introduce me to something new) or “Pisses me off”.
Gooning (9,000 searches) – primarily used in certain online communities to describe a prolonged session of self-stimulation. The term has evolved to casually refer to becoming overly obsessed with something. Essentially, losing oneself in enthusiasm for an activity or interest.
6-7 (8,000 searches) – There is no literal meaning to six seven. Its absurdity is the point, making it a prime example of “brainrot” internet humour where the randomness itself becomes funny. It originates from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla. LaMelo Ball, a basketball player, created a trending video about being 6 feet 7 inches tall using the song. Kids and teens scream and chant it, often paired with exaggerated hand gestures.
Glazing (7 000 searches) – means to praise someone excessively and insincerely. A way to call out behaviour where excessive flattery is used.
Delulu (6,500 searches) – short for delusional. It describes someone with unrealistic expectations, especially about crushes, relationships, or fantasies (thinking a celebrity will date them).
Zesty (6,000 searches) – someone who is lively, exciting or energetic.
Huzz (5,600 searches) – refers to an attractive girl or a group of girls. A replacement for ‘boo’ and ‘pookie’. Somebody you want to impress. This slang had a more derogatory meaning, ‘h–s’, but that has changed.
Syfm (5,000 searches) – expressing disappointment when someone has failed to notice something important (so you f—ing missed).
Aura farming (4,300 searches) – refers to a behaviour (often referencing anime characters) where a person does something for the sake of looking cool.
Chopped (4,000 searches) – this term has become a synonym for something that is ugly, undesirable or unattractive.
Big back (300 searches) – refers to someone with a large physique. Someone who is seen as gluttonous or out of shape. It’s less about literal size and more about poking fun at behaviour, like hogging food or being sluggish.
Clanker (3,000 searches) – is a derogatory term for robots and AI technology. An example would be “having to talk to a clanker” would mean talking with a chatbot.
Fanum tax (2,000 searches) – playfully taking a portion of a friend’s food. The streamer Fanum began this trend.
Green FN (2,000 searches) – refers to a guaranteed win. Describes something amazing and highly desirable. Often said after an exceptional shot or throw in basketball. The term originates from the NBA 2K video game series, where a perfectly timed shot is marked by the colour green.

This research was conducted by word-finding experts at Unscramblerer.com. A spokesperson commented on the findings:

“Popular slang in 2025 continues to be heavily influenced by TikTok, Instagram, gaming, streaming, Gen Z and Alpha online communities. Trends from social media spread rapidly via memes and viral challenges. Fuelled by technology, our language adapts to new slang trends more rapidly than ever. Slang is a fascinating and fun mirror of our culture.”

There you have it, folks, those are the trendiest words and acronyms to add to your urban vocabulary!