Normally, “slap” refers to striking someone with a flat sided hand or object. But did you know that the word “slaps” has an entirely different meaning in slang? If this is news to you, then you’ve come to just the place - we’re going to cover everything you need to know on the subject.
We’ll kick things off with a brief description of the meaning before going on to discuss how the word came into this meaning. Then we’ll show you through example how the phrase gets used day to day, before discussing similar and synonymous terms that can often be used in its place. Finally then, we’ll be rounding off with a discussion on notable uses of the term in modern day.
And without further ado, let’s get straight down to business!
What’s the meaning of the slang word “slaps”?
The slang word “slaps” is a visceral metaphor. It is used to imply that something really elicits a response. In a good way. Saying that something slaps is like saying that it’s impressive or enjoyable.
While the term originally came about as a way to describe good music, since then the meaning of the term has expanded so that it can include anything that’s impressive and/or enjoyable. For example, you could use it to describe a meal or a performance. (There will be more information on example usage shortly.)
What’s the origin of the slang word “slaps”?
The slang “slaps” originates in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), particularly from the West Coast hip-hop culture of Northern California, and even more specifically, the Bay Area.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, rappers in the area would say that a song “slaps” whenever it had a heavy, infectious beat that commands physical response. The Bay Area’s hyphy movement during this time was characterized by high-energy beats, party culture, and exuberant dancing, and this provided fertile ground for the term. The metaphor of a beat slapping is different from saying a song is good because “slaps” suggests that it is irresistibly compelling, so strong that it demands movement.
The term quickly appeared in song lyrics and fan discussions, and by the late 2000s hip-hop blogs and online forums began using “slaps” in their headlines and commentary. E-40 is the rapper most widely accredited with coining the term, or at least heavily popularising it, along with the rappers Too $hort, and Keak da Sneak.
The 2010s marked the decisive moment when “slaps” entered mainstream vocabulary, thanks to the internet and social media apps and memes, along with streaming services and online playlists. This decade also saw use of the slang “slaps” in big advertising campaigns, and by 2018 it also began to appear in teen dialogue on Netflix shows and parody sketches on SNL.
How people use the slang word “slaps” featuring whole sentence examples
As promised earlier, here are some whole sentence examples of the slang being used in different contexts to give you some perspective on the typical usage of the phrase:
- That new song from the DJ really slaps! That hard dance really flips that hip hop track.
- It’s not just that song that slaps - it’s the whole album - I downloaded every last note and I play it on repeat while doing my homework.
- That vindaloo from the local takeaway slaps - if I could afford to, I’d have it every day.
- Your performance tonight slaps once again - we were really blown away.
- Did you catch the latest episode of Traitors? It totally slaps.
- The new season of Dexter slaps - I have to watch every single episode.
- The new rollercoaster there slaps - you have to go on it!
- These chicken nuggets and dip slap - gotta have some more.
- The new Nike shoes slap - I gotta get ma a pair.
Similar and synonymous terms like the slang word “slaps”
There are a great many words and phrases that can often be used synonymously in place of the slang word slaps. Here are some examples you might consider using:
- Is amazing
- Is impressive
- Is awesome
- Slays
- Is enjoyable
- Is fun
- Is great
- Is really cool
- Is delicious
- Is excellent
- Packs a punch
- Is a hit
- Hits hard
- Makes an impact
- Carries some clout
- Is banging
- Strikes hard
- Is powerful
Notable uses of the slang word “slaps” including online and in advertising
Online - social media and memes
The slang “slaps” truly made it to the mainstream in the 2010s, and Twitter was instrumental in the term gaining traction when users linked out to their favourite music with the caption “this song slaps”. Then pop culture outlets such as Buzzfeed, Vice, and Complex further normalised the word. Article titles like “27 Songs That Slap Harder Than Anything You’ve Heard This Year”. Around this time Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube playlists frequently adopted “slaps” in their branding. Examples include “Songs That Slap” or “90s Slaps.”
The meme “X slaps harder than Y” remains among the most recognisable meme templates using the slang. It has been adapted countless times across different social apps, from Tumblr to Instagram to TikTok.
Advertising and commercial appropriation
When the term started gaining traction among young people, big brands were hungry to capitalise on it.
- Fast Food Chains: Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and Chipotle all incorporated “slaps” into their social media campaigns in the late 2010s. Posts such as “This new flavor slaps” sought to sound youthful and in touch with meme culture.
- Snack Brands: Doritos campaigns in the early 2020s explicitly described flavors as “slaps.”
- Beverages: Pepsi advertisements occasionally referenced the term, equating music and taste, e.g., “the drink that slaps.”
Final word
So, to sum up, the slang word “slaps” is used to say that something is great or impressive. It comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), specifically from the West Coast hip-hop culture of Northern California in the late 1990s.
Originally, the word was used to describe music that had a strong, visceral beat, but over time the meaning of the term expanded to refer to anything that’s really good or even amazing.
