16 Most Common American Slang Terms Used Around America

American slang is constantly changing. Especially among youth, words that are in vogue one day are out of fashion before the older generations have even caught on to their meanings. 

To compile a list of 16 of the most common American slang terms and where they’re used, 24/7 Tempo reviewed an online survey conducted by the gaming company PlayNJ. More than 2,000 Americans responded to the survey, the goal of which was to explore the language barrier within the United States.

Some of these popular words and phrases, such as “on fleek” are relatively new on the scene, while others have been slang for decades or more. A few, including “crick” and “tater” are simply phonetic spellings of regional pronunciations.

Regional differences are strikingly apparent, as many of these slang terms are used primarily in a single locale such as the Midwest, New England, or the South. (Here are popular slang words no one uses any more.)

Scroll below to see 16 common American slang terms and where they’re used:

Bless your heart

• Meaning: Usually conveys sympathy, but can also imply that someone is an idiot
• Example: You’ve had a rough day, haven’t you, bless your heart.
• Most commonly used in: Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas

Bro

• Meaning: Term used to address a male friend, often indicating camaraderie and closeness
• Example: Hey bro, thanks for helping me out with the car trouble yesterday!
• Most commonly used in: Arizona, Florida, Nevada

Bubbler

• Meaning: Public drinking fountain
• Example: After playing soccer, the kids gathered around the bubbler to quench their thirst.
• Most commonly used in: Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Texas, Wisconsin

Buggy

• Meaning: Shopping cart
• Example: She loaded her groceries into a shopping buggy before heading to the checkout counter.
• Most commonly used in: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio

Crick

• Meaning: Creek
• Example: We went for a swim in the cool crick on a hot summer day.
• Most commonly used in: Florida, Iowa, kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Finna

• Meaning: Intending or planning to do something in the near future (see “Fixin’ to” below)
• Example: I’m finna go to the store, need anything?
• Most commonly used in: Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin

Fixin’ to

• Meaning: Preparing or intending to do something soon.
• Example: I’m fixin’ to cook dinner; just need a few more ingredients.
• Most commonly used in: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas

On fleek

• Meaning: Fashionable, or flawless, especially in terms of appearance
• Example: Her makeup was on fleek for the party, drawing compliments from everyone.
• Most commonly used in: Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin

Holler

• Meaning: Imprecise unit of distance
• Example: The farmhouse was just a holler away from town.
• Most commonly used in: Kentucky, New York, West Virginia

Howdy

• Meaning: A casual and friendly greeting
• Example: Howdy, folks!
• Most commonly used in: California, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming

Pop

• Meaning: Fizzy beverage
• Example: I like to relax with a cold pop and watch my favorite TV show.
• Most commonly used in: Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon

Tater

• Meaning: Potato.
• Example: Would you like some roasted taters with your dinner?
• Most commonly used in: Arkansas, Florida, Minnesota, South Carolina

Wicked

• Meaning: Extremely cool or impressive
• Example: The concert last night was wicked.
• Most commonly used in: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire

Y’all

• Meaning: Second person plural pronoun (“you all”)
• Example: Y’all are invited to the barbecue this Saturday
• Most commonly used in: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin

Yonder

• Meaning: Within sight but not very close
• Example: Look yonder, you can see the mountains in the distance.
• Most commonly used in: Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

You betcha

• Meaning: Expression of agreement, assurance, or affirmation
• Example: “Will you join us for the picnic?” You betcha, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
• Most commonly used in: Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin