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You may have come across the slang word “wack” in conversations or online. In this reference, you’ll find out what “wack” means and get tips on using it. Examples from real-life conversations help show its usage.
Additionally, a helpful ESL infographic is included to make it easier to grasp the meaning and context of “wack”. Exploring this will expand your understanding and confidence in using the term.
Wack Meaning, Origin and Usage
Key Takeaways
- Wack is a slang term meaning something is bad, low-quality, unimpressive, or just not right. It’s often used to describe things that fall short of expectations or are considered uncool, lame, or disappointing. The term originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and became popular in hip-hop culture in the 1980s.
What Does Wack Mean?
“Wack” is the most common way of saying, ‘your fake’.
To be wack is to be a joke, a fool, or even lame. Someone will use ‘wack‘ to express dislike about a person and/or object. It is also simply known for being a shortened version of ‘wacky’.
Origin of Wack
‘Wack‘ was popularized in the 1980s. First becoming well known starting the year 1984 with the birth of the hip-hop generation. Many movies use the word to make fun of the 80s, such as in the 1995 stoner movie ‘Friday’ starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
Usage of Wack
Describing poor quality:
- “This pizza is wack; it’s cold and flavorless.”
Referring to something disappointing:
- “The party was wack—there was barely any music, and no one was dancing.”
Calling out inauthentic behavior:
- “He’s acting all tough, but it’s so wack; everyone knows he’s not like that.”
Criticizing something uncool or outdated:
- “That style is wack—it went out of fashion years ago.”
Expressing dissatisfaction:
- “That new album is wack; it’s nothing like his earlier music.”
Related Terms to Wack
- Lame – Used to describe something boring, unoriginal, or unimpressive.
- Trash – Refers to something of poor quality, unworthy, or worthless.
- Corny – Used for things that are overly sentimental, outdated, or trying too hard to be funny or cool.
- Fake – Describes someone who is inauthentic or putting on a false persona.
- Weak – Means unimpressive, lacking strength or impact, often in the context of skills or performance.
- Phony – Similar to fake, used to describe someone who isn’t genuine or real.
- Bootleg – Refers to an unofficial or low-quality version of something, often a copy.
- Janky – Used to describe something poorly made, unreliable, or sketchy.
- Basic – Used to describe something or someone seen as unoriginal, conforming, or lacking depth.
- Poser – Refers to someone who pretends to be something they’re not, especially to look cool or fit in.
“Wack” Examples
How people use the term ‘wack’.
Example 1
- Guy 1: Yo homie how was your day?
- Guy 2: Good until my girl left me.
- Guy 1: She broke up with you before your birthday?
- Guy 2: Yeah, just one day before.
- Guy 1: Man that is wack.
A couple of guys having a conversation about how one’s girlfriend broke up with him right before his birthday and the other uses ‘wack’ in a way of saying, ‘man that is messed up‘.
Example 2:
- Texter 1: Did you see the new Johnny Depp movie?
- Texter 2: Not yet.
- Texter 1: It was awesome!
- Texter 2: Didn’t you say you would wait for me?
- Texter 1: Yeah sorry.
- Texter 2: Dude that was wack.
Here you find a couple of friends talking about a new movie and one watches it without the other friend even though they had agreed to watch it together, hurting the one friend’s feelings.
Example 3
- Girl 1: Look at her shoes.
- Girl 2: OMG is she really wearing those.
- Girl 1: Looks like it.
- Girl 2: They are so wack.
- Girl 1: IKR
‘Wack’ can also be used to explain clothing or items one may consider being un-tasteful or ugly as you see in this conversation between girls.
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