South Africa has 12 official languages to its name, each with its own set of slang words, idioms and proverbs.
Thanks to social media and popular culture, the good folks of the Rainbow Nation are learning and adding new words to their diverse vocabularies every day.
As such, many South Africans turn to Google (sorry, not sorry, ChatGPT) to break down the meaning of the latest slang words.
BREAKING DOWN SA’S MOST SEARCHED SLANG WORDS
According to Randoh Sallihall, a spokesperson for Unscramblerer.com, the most popular slang words in 2025 continue “to be heavily influenced by TikTok, Instagram, gaming, streaming, Gen Z and Alpha online communities.”
Social media trends that gave rise to memes and viral online challenges also led to the rapid popularisation of these quirky colloquialisms.
With this in mind, let’s count down the top 10 slang words that South Africans searched for the most between 1 January 2025 and 30 September 2025:
10. Zesty
Search count: 6 000
Typically, “zesty” is one way to describe a taste or smell that’s tangy. Informally, it’s used as an adjective to label someone who is lively, full of energy and/or excitable.
9. Delulu
Search count: 6 500
If someone is calling you “delulu”, they’re essentially calling you delusional. Moreover, they’re calling you out for harbouring unrealistic expectations or fantasies.
For example, you might be called “delulu” for thinking you will meet Kanye West himself if you fork over R5 000 for a concert ticket.
8. Glazing
Search count: 7 000
“Glazing” has nothing to do with cake, doughnuts or window insulation, although it does involve sugar-coating in a sense.
If you’re “glazing” someone, it means you’re praising them, albeit in a way that’s excessive to the point of being desperate or false. For example, online trolls will be quick to call you out if they think you’re praising your fave celebrity (who may be the bane of their life) too much.
7. 6-7
Search count: 8 000
This is a high search count for a slang word that, on the surface, doesn’t mean a darn thing. Then again, trying to Google its meaning is probably why the count is high in the first place.
“6-7” originates from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by US rapper Skrilla, who repeats the numbers throughout. It rose to prominence on TikTok earlier this year.
Most folks online agree that this slang word means nothing and that the fun lies in just dropping it in casual conversation, as youngsters are wont to do. Meanwhile, others say that it’s the adjectival equivalent of “so-so” or “mid”.
6. Gooning
Search count: 9 000
If you’re “gooning”, it means that you’re hyper-fixating on, obsessed with or have boundless enthusiasm for something, such as a hobby or interest. That makes you a “gooner”.
Be warned, though – these terms, or at least their first iterations, do carry sexual connotations. Stay cautious if you do look them up!
5. PMO
Search count: 10 500
This slang word can be taken two ways. Firstly, it can stand for “Put me on”, which is a way of asking to be introduced to something new or cool.
Secondly, it can stand for “P**es me off”, which is used to express your anger or irritation.
4. Bop
Search count: 12 000
In the online space, a “bop” is someone who constantly bounces from partner to partner, romantically and/or sexually. The action is known as “bopping”.
3. Sybau
Search count: 14 000
Ever been embroiled in a flame war on X? In a moment of aggression, you or your online opponent types “Sybau”, with the hopes of shutting down the fight while also getting in the last word.
Written in full, it means “Shut your b****-a** up.” If this phrase pops up, chances are that the fight’s not stopping, nor is it the last word.
2. Sigma
Search count: 15 000
Move over, alphas and betas: sigmas are the new favourites on the Internet block.
Basically, a “sigma” is someone who exudes confidence, is fiercely independent and doesn’t bow down to social norms and traditions. They’re the John Wicks, Terminators and Max Rockatanskies that live on the fringes of society and on their own terms – pretty hot, no?
1. Gaslighting
Search count: 28 000
Coming in first on this list, South Africans want to know what “gaslighting” is all about (and no, it’s got nothing to do with braais).
This is when a person psychologically manipulates another person into questioning their own sanity, memory or powers of reasoning.
Picture this scenario: during a work meeting, a colleague slips up while rattling off some figures. When you try to bring it up afterwards, your colleague feigns ignorance, uses phrases such as “That never happened” or “You must have misheard”, and accuses you of being forgetful or trying to undermine them.
This is a form of emotional abuse, which can have a severe effect on your mental health.
BROADEN YOUR SLANGUAGE
Now that you know what slang words South Africans are Googling, you can start incorporating them into your everyday interactions.
At the very least, you can now get to grips with the funky verbiage that Gen Z and Alpha are using nowadays!
