Youth word “no cap” - Where the term comes from and what it means
"No cap" has been around since 2017. The term is still used in the language of young people and on social media. However, it hasn't yet been chosen as the youth word of the year. But what does "no cap" actually mean, and where does it originally come from?
"No cap" is a slang expression meaning something like "seriously" or "no joke." When someone uses this term, they are trying to emphasize that their statement is true and not joking. In some cases, however, "no cap" is also used ironically to indicate an exaggerated or implausible statement. Here, it's especially important to pay attention to the other person's tone of voice.
Both words originate from English. "No" denotes negation. "Cap," in turn, comes from the colloquial language of African-American communities in the 1900s and means "to boast," "to exaggerate," or "to lie." The combination "no cap" only became widespread later. The song "No Cap" by Future & Young, two rappers from Atlanta, in 2017 was instrumental in making the term popular worldwide.
The term can be used in everyday language, but also on social media. However, when used ironically, the direct approach in persona is more advisable. The following examples demonstrate how "no cap" can be applied:
- “No cap they are the best.” - No joke, they are the best.
- “I would do anything no cap”
- "Feels like 3:33 PM no cap ya... it's almost dark already"
"Cap" can also translate to "peaked cap." This is why the blue cap symbol (🧢) appears in many social media chats. It replaces the word "cap" and indicates that someone is lying. The emoji is used primarily on X and TikTok.
Besides "no cap," there are other terms in youth slang with a similar meaning. These include the word "Vallah," which translates as "I swear by God." It also emphasizes the sincerity behind a statement. "Isso" is also a common expression used to convey the seriousness of a sentence.
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