Totally Sweet 90s Slang Words and Phrases That Are Still Used Today

Key takeaways

• 90s slang came from real-life conversations, not social media.
• Many 90s expressions are still widely used today.
• Learning 90s slang helps you understand movies, humor, and millennial culture.
• You don’t need to use every phrase — recognition is already a win.
• Nostalgic slang makes your English sound more natural and expressive.

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.

Many 90s slang terms are still in use today, thanks to the influence of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and pop culture icons like ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott, who popularized catchphrases such as "Booyah!", and Bart Simpson, whose rebellious "Eat my shorts" became a symbol of teen defiance. The phrase "Wassup" became a casual greeting for "What's up?" or "What's going on?", while "What's the 411?" originated from directory assistance, meaning "What's the information?" The movie Clueless also left a lasting mark on 90s slang, especially with the phrase "As if!" And if someone "thinks she's all that and a bag of potato chips," it means she considers herself extremely impressive or cool.

Below, you will find words from the 90s that people still use.

Honorable Mentions:

• "Wassup" as a casual greeting for "What's up?"
• "All that and a bag of potato chips" for someone who is extremely impressive.
• "Chillin' like a villain" for relaxing and taking it easy.
• "Home skillet" as a term of endearment for a friend.
• "Bling bling" for flashy jewelry.
• "Dip" as another way to say leave or exit.
• "Chillax" as a blend of "chill" and "relax."
• "Word" as an expression of agreement.
• "Da bomb" for something excellent.
• "Hella" as an intensifier meaning "very" or "a lot."

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.

Wayne's World, with Mike Myers, played a huge role in shaping 90s slang, especially with terms like 'schwing.' Pop culture phenomena like grunge music and hip-hop also had a major influence on the slang of the 1990s. Many phrases were used to express disbelief or sarcasm, such as 'As if!', 'Whatever,' and 'Puh-lease,' which became iconic ways to dismiss or ridicule statements.

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

Greetings and Introductions: 90s Style Hellos

Want to time-travel through language and totally nail that 90s vibe? Buckle up, language lovers, because we're diving into one of the most iconic eras of English slang! Making an entrance in the 1990s wasn't just about walking into a room — it was about bringing your whole linguistic personality with you. Think pop culture swagger meets hip hop coolness, all wrapped up in phrases that could instantly show you were part of the in-crowd. Whether you were stepping into homeroom or calling your bestie on that chunky landline, your greeting game had to be on point.

Let's start with the absolute MVP of 90s casual conversation: "Yo, what's up?" and its super chill cousin, "Sup?" These weren't just greetings — they were basically cultural passports that got you instant street cred. From your favorite TV characters to that cool kid in your English class, everyone was dropping these phrases like confetti. The beauty? They created this immediately relaxed, friendly energy that said, "Hey, we're equals here, and this conversation is gonna be good." And if you wanted to show you were totally vibing with someone, a simple "Word" was your linguistic high-five — a slang gem that packed agreement, understanding, and coolness into one perfect syllable.

Here's where things get really fun — the 90s were absolutely obsessed with celebrating friendships through language! Calling someone your "home skillet" or "homie" was like giving them a verbal friendship bracelet. These terms didn't just identify someone as a friend; they announced to the world that this person was part of your chosen family. Picture this: you'd roll up to someone and drop a casual "What's up, home skillet?" and boom — instant connection, complete with the obligatory high five. It was linguistic bonding at its finest, and honestly? We could use more of this energy today.

Now, let's talk about hip hop's incredible influence on everyday conversation — because wow, did it deliver some linguistic gold! Phrases like "Fo shizzle" (translation: for sure) and "Da bomb" (basically, the ultimate compliment) weren't just ways to agree or express excitement. They were artforms of expression that let you say yes with maximum style and personality. Imagine getting invited to a party and responding with "Fo shizzle, that's gonna be da bomb!" — you weren't just accepting an invitation, you were bringing the entire vibe with you. This is what makes studying language evolution so fascinating — these phrases carried cultural identity, creativity, and pure joy all at once.

But here's the thing about authentic 90s communication — it wasn't all sunshine and friendship bracelets. Sometimes you needed to establish some boundaries, and that's where the legendary "Talk to the hand!" entered the chat. This wasn't just a dismissal; it was performance art! The combination of the hand gesture with the phrase created this perfect blend of attitude and playfulness that somehow managed to shut down unwanted conversation while keeping things relatively lighthearted. It's actually a brilliant example of how body language and verbal communication work together in different cultures.

Whether you were channeling your inner Will Smith from The Fresh Prince or just having the time of your life with your squad, 90s greetings were essentially masterclasses in making human connections feel special. They showed off personality, created instant community, and turned everyday hellos into little moments of joy and recognition. So here's your friendly linguist challenge: next time you want to add some retro magic to your conversations, try sprinkling in a 90s phrase or two. Trust me — it's still totally all that, and you might just discover that some of the best parts of language learning happen when we play with words from different eras. After all, understanding how language evolves helps us appreciate how creativity and culture shape the way we connect with each other!

Embracing 90s Nostalgia Words in Pop Culture

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.

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

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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. The rise of grunge music, hip-hop, and pop culture phenomena like TV shows and movies played a huge role in shaping 90s slang, making it a reflection of the era’s trends and attitudes. 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). This phrase, popularized by the movie Clueless, became a staple of 90s slang and showcased the film's influence on teenage expressions.
• “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). This sarcastic use of "not," made famous by Wayne’s World and Mike Myers, became a defining way to express disbelief or irony in the 90s.
• “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).

Other iconic 90s pop culture references that shaped slang:

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the vampire slayer) brought witty, pop-culture-rich speech and empowered slang to TV, influencing how teens talked and thought about heroism.
• Bart Simpson from The Simpsons became a symbol of youthful rebellion with his catchphrase "Eat my shorts," making cartoon slang a part of everyday language.

Tip from the author: If you’re watching a 90s movie and don’t understand a line, don’t pause — listen to how characters react. Context is your best slang teacher.

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)

Why 90s Slang Still Hits Different in Hip Hop Culture

Unlike modern slang that spreads through TikTok trends and disappears just as fast, 90s slang was built offline. These words came from movies, music, school hallways, and real conversations. That’s why many of them feel more “solid” and emotionally loaded — they were tied to moments, not algorithms. The American Dialect Society, a leading authority on American English, has recognized and studied these slang trends, highlighting how words like "duh" reflect the evolution of American dialects across regions and communities.

Another reason 90s slang survived? Pop culture longevity. Movies, sitcom reruns, memes, and nostalgic throwbacks keep these expressions alive. Social media has also played a significant role in the resurgence of 90s slang, bringing these phrases back into everyday conversations. Many people find joy in using 90s slang as a way to express their personality and style. Even if you weren’t alive in the 90s, you’ve probably heard many of these phrases without realizing where they came from.

Is 90s Slang Word Still Useful for English Learners?

Absolutely. Learning 90s slang helps you understand older movies, TV shows, and millennial humor, which still pops up in everyday English. It also makes your vocabulary more expressive and playful — especially in casual conversations, jokes, or storytelling.

The key is balance. You don’t need to use every phrase daily, but recognizing them gives you cultural confidence. And honestly? Dropping a well-timed “Oh, snap!” still works like magic.

How To Learn 90's Slang With Promova

Learning English works best when it feels fun and familiar — not overwhelming. With Promova, you can learn English through real-life vocabulary like 90s slang through bite-sized lessons, flashcards, and themed word collections, including a dedicated slang course, that fit easily into your daily routine.

Short lessons help you remember expressions in context, while visual examples and simple explanations make slang feel approachable — even if it’s totally retro. This way, you don’t just memorize words, you understand when and why people actually use them.

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!