Language never stays the same, and 2017 slang is a perfect example of how quickly popular expressions can rise, spread across the internet, and become part of everyday conversations.
Many people search for 2017 slang because they come across older social media posts, viral memes, song lyrics, gaming chats, or text messages filled with unfamiliar words.
Understanding these expressions helps decode online conversations and offers a glimpse into internet culture from one of the most influential years in modern digital communication.
The slang that dominated 2017 didn’t appear overnight. It was shaped by platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and growing online communities that constantly created and shared new vocabulary.
Some expressions exploded through viral videos, while others gained popularity through music, memes, and celebrity influence. Although a few of these terms have faded, many still appear in casual conversations or have evolved into newer forms.
Whether you’re reading old tweets, catching up on internet trends, or simply curious about the language of the late 2010s, this guide explains the most recognizable 2017 slang, where it came from, how people used it, and whether it still has a place in today’s online world.
What Does 2017 Slang Mean?
2017 slang refers to the popular informal words and phrases that became widely used during 2017, especially on social media, in texting, music, gaming, and everyday conversations. These expressions reflected internet humor, youth culture, and viral trends, with some remaining popular today while others have become nostalgic reminders of that era.
Search Intent
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does it mean? | 2017 slang includes trendy words and expressions that became popular during 2017. |
| Why do people say it? | To sound casual, express emotions quickly, join internet trends, or relate to friends online. |
| Is it offensive? | Most terms are harmless, but some depend on tone and context. |
| Is it still popular? | Some remain common, while others are mainly used nostalgically. |
| Who uses it? | Millennials, Gen Z, gamers, social media users, and meme communities. |
| Where is it most common? | Social media platforms, messaging apps, gaming communities, and online forums. |
| Can I use it at work? | Usually avoid slang in professional communication unless the workplace culture is very casual. |
| Can I use it online? | Yes, as long as it fits the audience and conversation. |
Where Did 2017 Slang Come From?
The slang associated with 2017 didn’t come from one single place. Instead, it developed through a combination of internet culture, music, memes, online gaming, and everyday conversations among younger generations.
Twitter encouraged short, catchy phrases that spread rapidly through retweets. Instagram captions introduced stylish expressions that quickly became trends. Snapchat popularized casual messaging slang, while YouTube creators and influencers helped millions of viewers adopt new words almost overnight.
Hip-hop music also played a major role. Artists frequently introduced fresh vocabulary that fans repeated across social media. At the same time, meme culture transformed ordinary words into humorous expressions with entirely new meanings.
As these terms circulated online, many changed meaning depending on context. Some became compliments, others turned into jokes, and several eventually evolved into modern slang still used years later.
Related 2017 Slang Terms
Lit
Meaning
Something exciting, fun, or full of energy.
When People Use It
People say “lit” to describe amazing parties, exciting events, impressive performances, or anything that creates excitement.
When To Avoid It
Avoid using it in formal writing, business meetings, or professional presentations.
Example Conversation
Alex: “How was the concert?”
Jordan: “It was absolutely lit!”
Current Popularity
Still commonly recognized, although it isn’t as dominant as it was in 2017.
Similar Expressions
Awesome, epic, fire, amazing.
Brilliant
Meaning
Someone who confidently says or does something bold without worrying about other people’s opinions.
When People Use It
Used after clever comebacks, fearless decisions, or humorous insults.
When To Avoid It
Don’t use it to encourage rude or hurtful behavior.
Example Conversation
“She answered that criticism with one sentence.”
“That’s brilliant.”
Current Popularity
Still widely understood online.
Similar Expressions
Brutal, fearless, ruthless.
Fam
Meaning
A casual way to refer to close friends rather than actual family members.
When People Use It
Used among trusted friends during relaxed conversations.
When To Avoid It
Not suitable for professional emails or conversations with strangers.
Example Conversation
“What’s the plan tonight, fam?”
Current Popularity
Still heard, though less frequently.
Similar Expressions
Bro, crew, squad.
GOAT
Meaning
An abbreviation for Greatest Of All Time.
When People Use It
Used to praise someone with exceptional talent in sports, music, gaming, or other fields.
When To Avoid It
Avoid exaggerating achievements where the comparison isn’t appropriate.
Example Conversation
“That performance proves she’s the GOAT.”
Current Popularity
Extremely popular and still widely used.
Similar Expressions
Legend, icon, all-time great.
Extra
Meaning
Acting in an exaggerated, dramatic, or overly enthusiastic way.
When People Use It
Used jokingly when someone overreacts or goes beyond what’s necessary.
When To Avoid It
Avoid using it if it may sound dismissive toward someone’s genuine feelings.
Example Conversation
“You bought matching outfits for your dog?”
“You’re so extra.”
Current Popularity
Still commonly recognized.
Similar Expressions
Dramatic, over-the-top.
Lowkey
Meaning
Quietly, secretly, or slightly without drawing much attention.
When People Use It
Often used to admit opinions or feelings casually.
When To Avoid It
Less appropriate in formal communication.
Example Conversation
“I lowkey enjoyed that movie.”
Current Popularity
Very popular across social media.
Similar Expressions
Honestly, secretly, kind of.
Highkey
Meaning
The opposite of lowkey—it means openly or strongly.
When People Use It
Used when expressing strong opinions or excitement.
When To Avoid It
Rarely used in formal situations.
Example Conversation
“I’m highkey excited for the weekend.”
Current Popularity
Still understood but used less often than lowkey.
Similar Expressions
Definitely, absolutely, openly.
Fire
Meaning
“Fire” describes something that is exceptionally good, impressive, stylish, or entertaining.
When People Use It
People use it to compliment music, fashion, food, artwork, memes, or any experience they genuinely enjoy.
When to Avoid It
Avoid using it in formal reports or situations where the literal meaning could cause confusion.
Example Conversation
Emma: “Have you heard the new song?”
Liam: “Yeah, it’s fire!”
Current Popularity
★★★★★ Still very popular.
Similar Expressions
Awesome, amazing, lit, dope.
Flex
Meaning
To show off achievements, money, possessions, skills, or accomplishments.
When People Use It
Usually used when someone is proudly displaying success or expensive items.
When to Avoid It
Avoid using it if it may sound like you’re accusing someone of being arrogant.
Example Conversation
“Buying that sports car was a huge flex.”
Current Popularity
★★★★☆ Common.
Similar Expressions
Show off, brag, stunt.
Shook
Meaning
Feeling surprised, shocked, or emotionally overwhelmed.
When People Use It
Used after hearing unexpected news or witnessing something unbelievable.
When to Avoid It
Not appropriate in formal writing.
Example Conversation
“I’m still shook after that movie ending.”
Current Popularity
★★★★☆ Still recognized.
Similar Expressions
Speechless, stunned, shocked.
Salty
Meaning
Feeling annoyed, bitter, or upset about something.
When People Use It
Often used after losing a game or feeling disappointed.
When to Avoid It
Avoid using it to dismiss someone’s genuine concerns.
Example Conversation
“He’s still salty about yesterday’s match.”
Current Popularity
★★★★☆ Common in gaming and online chats.
Similar Expressions
Bitter, annoyed, upset.
Woke
Meaning
Originally referred to being socially aware, especially about injustice and inequality. Over time, its meaning expanded and became more politically charged.
When People Use It
People may use it in discussions about social awareness, culture, or current events.
When to Avoid It
Use carefully because different audiences may interpret it differently.
Example Conversation
“That documentary really made people more woke.”
Current Popularity
★★★☆☆ Still widely recognized.
Similar Expressions
Socially aware, informed.
Mood
Meaning
Used when something perfectly expresses how someone feels.
When People Use It
Common under memes, funny videos, and relatable social media posts.
When to Avoid It
Rarely fits professional conversations.
Example Conversation
A picture of someone sleeping all day.
Comment: “Mood.”
Current Popularity
★★★★★ Extremely common.
Similar Expressions
Relatable, same, exactly.
How People Use This Slang Today
Although 2017 slang is no longer at its peak, many expressions continue to appear in everyday conversations. Some have become timeless internet vocabulary, while others are mainly used for nostalgia or humor.
On TikTok, creators often revive older slang to recreate trends from the late 2010s or make nostalgic content.
On Instagram, words like fire, GOAT, and mood remain common in captions and comments.
On Snapchat, casual conversations still include expressions such as lowkey, fam, and lit.
Within Discord servers and gaming communities, terms like salty, GOAT, and shook continue to appear naturally during matches and discussions.
Millennials generally recognize nearly all 2017 slang because many of these expressions became popular during their active social media years. Gen Z understands most of them as well, although they often mix them with newer internet slang. Older generations may recognize the most famous terms but use them less frequently.
Social Media Usage
TikTok
Older slang frequently returns through nostalgia videos.
Example:
“2017 fashion was lowkey iconic.”
Comments often include:
- “That outfit is fire.”
- “GOAT performance.”
Snapchat
Friends commonly write:
- “That party was lit.”
- “I’m shook.”
X (Twitter)
Short reactions remain popular.
Examples:
- “Mood.”
- “Lowkey agree.”
Discord
Gaming communities often say:
- “Don’t be salty.”
- “You’re the GOAT.”
Discussion threads sometimes revisit 2017 internet culture, memes, and slang, especially in nostalgia-focused communities.
Real-Life Examples
- “That burger was fire.”
- “You’re lowkey right about that.”
- “Our whole squad looked lit at the concert.”
- “She’s the GOAT of women’s soccer.”
- “Stop being salty because you lost.”
- “That comeback was brilliant.”
- “I’m shook after watching that ending.”
- “This meme is such a mood.”
- “Nice shoes—that’s a serious flex.”
- “What’s up, fam?”
Slang Evolution Timeline
| Period | Development |
|---|---|
| Before 2017 | Many terms began appearing in music, internet forums, and early social media. |
| 2017 | Slang exploded across Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and meme culture. |
| 2018–2020 | Several expressions became mainstream and entered everyday conversations. |
| 2021–Present | Some terms remain common, while others are mostly used nostalgically or alongside newer slang. |
Similar Terms vs. 2017 Slang
| Slang | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Lit | Exciting | Focuses on energy and excitement. |
| Fire | Excellent | Usually praises quality. |
| Dope | Very good | Older but still popular. |
| GOAT | Greatest ever | Specifically recognizes exceptional achievement. |
| brilliant | Bold or ruthless | Often describes fearless actions or clever comebacks. |
Is This Slang Offensive?
Most 2017 slang is not offensive. However, context always matters.
- Offensive? Usually no, although words like brilliant may sound harsh depending on the situation.
- Informal? Yes. These expressions are designed for casual communication.
- Acceptable in Public? Generally yes.
- Acceptable at Work? Only in relaxed workplace conversations. Avoid them in formal documents and business emails.
- Acceptable at School? Usually acceptable in casual conversations, but formal assignments should use standard English.
Common Contexts
Texting
Friends often use quick expressions like “lowkey,” “fire,” and “mood.”
Gaming
Competitive players frequently say “salty,” “GOAT,” and “lit.”
Music
Hip-hop and pop music helped spread many of these expressions worldwide.
Memes
Many 2017 memes introduced or popularized slang that later became everyday vocabulary.
Dating
People may compliment someone by saying their style is “fire” or describe chemistry as “lit.”
Friend Groups
Informal conversations remain one of the biggest places where 2017 slang survives today.
Alternative Words
| Alternative | Tone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|
| Awesome | Casual | High |
| Amazing | Neutral | High |
| Excellent | Formal | Medium |
| Cool | Casual | High |
| Impressive | Neutral | Medium |
| Outstanding | Formal | Medium |
| Fantastic | Friendly | High |
Expert Linguistic Insight
Slang reflects how communities create shared identities through language. New expressions often emerge because younger generations enjoy developing fresh ways to communicate that feel more personal and current. Social media accelerates this process by allowing millions of people to adopt and reshape words almost instantly. As trends change, some slang disappears, while the most useful and adaptable expressions become lasting parts of everyday English.
FAQs
What is 2017 slang?
2017 slang refers to the informal words and phrases that became especially popular during 2017. These expressions were widely used on social media, in text messages, online gaming, music, and casual conversations.
Why is 2017 slang still popular?
Some expressions remain useful because they are short, expressive, and easy to understand. Words like GOAT, fire, and lowkey have stayed relevant long after 2017 ended.
Is 2017 slang only used by young people?
No. While younger generations introduced much of this slang, many adults now recognize and occasionally use these expressions thanks to social media, entertainment, and everyday online communication.
Can I use 2017 slang in professional settings?
It’s usually better to avoid slang in formal workplaces, business emails, or academic writing. Standard English creates a more professional impression in those situations.
How does slang change over time?
Slang evolves as communities, technology, and culture change. Some words disappear quickly, while others adapt to new meanings and remain part of everyday language for many years.
Conclusion
The world of 2017 slang captures an important moment in internet culture when social media, memes, gaming, and music heavily influenced the way people communicated.
While some expressions have become nostalgic reminders of the late 2010s, many—such as GOAT, fire, lowkey, and mood—are still widely recognized today.
Understanding these terms makes it easier to follow older online conversations, appreciate the evolution of digital language, and communicate more naturally in casual settings. As with any slang, the key is using it in the right context and with the right audience.
Language will continue to evolve, but the impact of 2017 slang on modern internet culture remains easy to see.
Aira is a content writer and language enthusiast at SlangPulse, specializing in internet slang, social media trends, and modern digital communication
