Totally Sweet Slang from the ’90s To Add To Your Vocabulary

Tori Tornreviewed byNataliia Afonina / more about Editorial Process9 min
Created: Jan 4, 2023Last updated: Jun 28, 2025
90's Slang

What enters your mind when you hear about the 90s? We bet different things appear in each head, depending on where you were during that decade. However, even though the 90s were different in other countries, the USA generally influenced the culture of that period. 

Everyone wanted to play with Tamagotchis, collect Pokémon cards, listen to the Spice Girls, watch Titanic, and own a poster or a t-shirt with Jack and Rose. Why does it seem so nostalgic? Because a millennial wrote this article. 

If you are Gen Z, the 90s are full of unapologetic elements that might seem cringeworthy to you, such as thin brows, unusual music, and quirky TV shows. But we believe that 90s slang was phat. The Internet had just begun its path, so 90s phrases originated from real life, not social media, which was created much later.

And the thing is, you can't be so negative about '90s sayings because you might still use some of them today without realizing it. If you want to know what 90s slang words are still alive and kicking, this article is for you. And, as a bonus, we've added a list of 90s phrases that deserve to be back in use. 

Let’s bounce!

The List Of 90's Slang Words People Still Use

The Gen Z lingo is highly on trend, but, unfortunately, or fortunately, it hasn't been incorporated into the minds of the older generation on TikTok to the point where they no longer use their beloved 90s slang words. 

However, some of the catchphrases from the 90s are still catchy enough to stick with their generation even a couple of decades later. Why? Because they are that good, sis! Below, you will find words from the 90s that people still use. 

90s Slang wordsMeaningExamples
WhateverUsed to end a conversation or show you don’t care about what’s being said. It can also mean 'let it be' or 'I’m done with this.'Whatever, I’m over it.
Trippin'Describes someone acting irrationally, overly emotional, or just being dramatic or unreasonable.Relax, you’re totally trippin’ right now.
Yadda-yadda-yaddaMeans 'blah-blah-blah'; used to skip parts of a story or conversation that seem boring or unimportant.She told me about her weekend, she went shopping, had dinner, yadda-yadda-yadda, and then she saw her ex.
My badA casual way to say 'I’m sorry' or admit a mistake.Oops, my bad! I thought the meeting was tomorrow.
You go, girl!Used to cheer someone on, especially a female friend, to show support and encouragement.You placed first at the swimming competition? You go, girl!
BuzzkillSomething or someone that ruins the fun or spoils a good mood.Don’t be a buzzkill, we’re just trying to have fun.
DibsUsed to claim something quickly, like a seat, food, or an object.Dibs on the front seat!
DopeUsed to describe something really cool or impressive.That new video game is dope!
BounceTo leave or exit a place quickly.This party’s boring, let’s bounce.
PropsShort for 'proper respect'; used to give someone credit or praise.Props to you for finishing that project on time!

So, which of these do you still use to this day? Let us know in the comments below. 

TOP 90's Catch Phrases That Deserve To Come Back

If fashion trends dare to come back, so should the slang. After decades of being forgotten, some of the 1990s' slang words should return to English learners' vocabularies. 

Let's see what slang from the 90s should be poppin' again: 

90s PhrasesMeaningExamples
Talk to the handUsed to say you’re done listening because you don’t like what someone is saying.Talk to the hand. I’m not dealing with your drama today.
So sue me!Said when someone does something wrong but doesn’t care about the consequences.Yeah, I ate the last cookie. So sue me!
Da bomb / The bombMeans something is really great or impressive, like a cooler way to say 'awesome.'This new playlist is the bomb!
Sup?A short and casual way of saying 'What’s up?' or 'How are you?'Sup, man? Long time no see!
CrunkA mix of 'crazy' and 'drunk,' used to describe being super excited or energetic.The party last night was totally crunk!
Eat my shortsA rude way to say you don’t care what someone thinks. It’s a dismissive insult.If you don’t like it, eat my shorts.
Who’s your daddy?Used to assert dominance over someone in a playful or teasing way.I beat you five times in a row. Who’s your daddy?
WassupA very casual way to say "What's up?" or "Hello?”Wassup, dude?
Oh, snap!Used to express surprise, excitement, or when something dramatic or funny happens.Oh, snap! Did she really just say that?
No duhUsed to sarcastically agree with something very obvious, like saying 'obviously' in a sassy way.You need a ticket to enter the theater? No duh!

Embracing 90s Nostalgia Words

The 1990s were truly a fun time, full of fun phrases and expressions that shaped a generation. These nostalgic words reflect the culture of the '90s and still bring back good memories today.

Slang from the 90s

Here are some more of our favorite 90s words and phrases that many people still love and remember:

90s Phrases and slang wordsMeaningExamples
PhatA fun way to say something is awesome or excellent.That new album is so phat!
All That and a Bag of ChipsWe use this phrase to say that someone or something is very impressive or cool.She's not just smart; she's all that and a bag of chips!
As If!A sassy way to say 'No way!' or show disbelief.You think he's going to ask you out? As if!
Home Skillet / HomeyA casual and playful way to call someone your close friend.What's up, home skillet?
BodaciousUsed to describe something bold, exciting, or attractive.That bodacious outfit is turning heads!
FlyMeans someone or something looks really cool or stylish.Those sneakers are fly!
Boo-yah!An exclamation used to celebrate a victory, success, or something exciting.I won this round! Boo-yah!
Take a Chill PillA way to tell someone to calm down or stop overreacting.You’re freaking out over nothing, take a chill pill!
WordUsed to show agreement or that you understand.You’re right, that show is amazing. Word.
WackDescribes something as bad, boring, or just not cool.That movie was so wack, I nearly fell asleep.

7

90's Sayings And Quotes That Became Iconic

Not only was the 90s a great decade in terms of slang, but those ten years also left an indelible mark on cinematography. Thanks to the 90's screenwriters, we can enjoy the timeless quotes that remain relevant after all these years. 

Here are some of the most memorable 90s sayings and quotes from the movies:

  • "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." – Forrest Gump (1994) 
  • "Rollin' with the homies."  Clueless (1995)
  • "Keep the change, ya filthy animal." – Home Alone (1990) 
  • "Hasta la vista, baby." – Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) 
  • "Hakuna Matata. It means ‘no worries’." – The Lion King (1994).
  • "I'm having a good time . . . not." – Wayne's World (1992).
  • "Oh, look. Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!" – Hocus Pocus (1993).
  • "To infinity... and beyond!" – Toy Story (1995) 
  • "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." – Jurassic Park (1993)
  • "I'm the king of the world!" – Titanic (1997) 
  • "Houston, we have a problem." – Apollo 13 (1995)
  • "The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club." – Fight Club (1999).
  • "You had me at 'hello.'" – Jerry Maguire (1996)
  • "You can't handle the truth!"  A Few Good Men (1992)
  • "Don't let anyone, ever, make you feel like you don't deserve what you want. Go for it!" – 10 Things I Hate About You (1999).

And, if you want to watch something other than Clueless for the 100th time, here's a list of more movies that will help you learn 90s phrases and slang:

  • She's All That (1999)
  • Poetic Justice (1993)
  • Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
  • American Pie (1999)
  • I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
  • Jumanji (1995)
  • The Mighty Ducks (1992)
  • Good Burger (1997)
  • The Sandlot (1993)
  • Empire Records (1995)

How To Learn 90's Slang With Promova

Learning English should be a fun hobby or a tool for achieving your goals, but not a source of torture by any means. To make the learning process a positive and successful experience, join our community of hundreds of people who are learning English with the Promova platform.

For instance, you can start learning English with Promova by dipping your toes into our mobile app. We provide our users with bite-sized lessons that positively influence their English skills. To learn a new set of themed words, you need to dedicate 5 to 20 minutes a day to playing around with our cute flashcards and manuals.

 Also, you can learn more about grammar and pronunciation in short video lessons from true professionals. Take a quick test, and you'll receive a personalized guided experience in the Promova app. We have classes for all proficiency levels. 

We also offer group courses and individual training for all levels and goals. You are free to choose the best option for you and start improving your English skills at any time. With certified English tutors on Promova, you can create a personalized learning plan and explore topics of interest in English. 

For instance, if you're interested in learning more about 90s slang, we recommend taking a lesson with an American English Tutor. They will shed some light on what else was popular in the age of Britney Spears.

As a bonus, you can get more speaking practice in the Promova free conversation club. Students who know English at level B1 or above gather every week to switch their brains to English. 

During these sessions, you can actively use the vocabulary you have learned, practice applying grammar and accent, and learn new material from your classmates and tutor. That's a perfect place for popularizing 90's slang again. 

Also, don’t forget to follow Promova on InstagramTikTok, and Facebook, and check out our blog. We share useful resources daily to help you become fluent in English even faster. We’re in this together!

Conclusion

Keeping up with 90s slang can be tricky, since those words come from a far-removed time. But knowing them can help you understand old movies, TV shows, songs, and the fun culture of the 90s.

We hope this article helped you learn the basic 90s slang that you may still encounter today. And now that you’ve added over 20 new words to your vocabulary, you won’t feel lost when English-speaking millennials talk about the good old days!

FAQ

Where did the '90s sayings come from?

The Internet has become a powerful source of modern slang in the past couple of decades. However, popular music, politics, and movies are usual sources for slang words. The slang words from the 90s were no exceptions and formed from these initial three sources. Popular 90's songwriters and artists contributed to American slang in the 90s by using street lexicon in their songs. After listening to a good track, people would pick up 90's catchphrases from it and turn them into slang. Then, the words and phrases were used because of movies and series.

What is the 90s phrase for “cool”?

In the 90s, kids used the slang word “phat” to describe something cool. It originated from African American hip-hop slang in the late 1980s and was first used to describe an attractive woman, gaining popularity by 1992. It would be equivalent to Gen Z's word "lit".

What is schwing 90s slang?

"Schwing!" is a fun 90s exclamation from Wayne’s World, used to show excitement or attraction.

What was the most famous saying in the 90s?

It’s hard to say for sure, since it's very subjective and there’s no official research on it. But there are many strong contenders like "whatever", "dope", "fly", or "word", as well as phrases like "as if!!", "My bad" or "Da bomb".

Comments

Mckenzie May 17th, 2024
It was 😎
PromovaDec 12th, 2023
The slang of the '90s greatly influenced modern language and pop culture. Many of the terms popularized during that time have become ingrained in everyday speech. Additionally, elements of '90s slang have made their way into music, movies, and TV shows, contributing to a sense of nostalgia and influencing newer generations.
Zariah BrightDec 12th, 2023
How did '90s slang influence modern-day language and pop culture?
PromovaJul 18th, 2023
Learners can practice and familiarize themselves with 90s slang by exploring films, TV shows, and music from that period, engaging in conversations with native speakers or language exchange partners who are familiar with that era, and actively incorporating 90s slang into their language use.
Archer riosJul 18th, 2023
How can learners practice and familiarize themselves with 90s slang to better understand its usage and cultural significance?
Emma Jun 27th, 2023
These are great !