The word “slay” has taken on new meaning in modern slang, especially among young people. At its core, slaying means to do something extremely well, but its usage extends far beyond that.
The Origin of “Slay”
“Slay” originally comes from the verb “to slay”, meaning to kill or destroy something. It was typically used in the context of battle – for example, a warrior slaying a dragon. This meaning dates back hundreds of years.
More recently, “slay” started being used figuratively, especially in the drag queen and ballroom scenes of the 1980s and 90s. “Slaying” in those contexts meant to deliver an extremely fierce, flawless performance. It was likely first popularized by drag queens complimenting each other’s over-the-top looks and performances by saying they were “slaying the children” or just “slaying”.
How “Slay” is Used in Modern Slang
Today, “slay” is used figuratively in a variety of contexts among young people and online culture, especially when praising someone or something:
- Fashion – “Her outfit is slaying!”
- Makeup/beauty – “Your eye makeup slays!”
- Performance – “Beyonce slayed that Super Bowl halftime show!”
- Achievement – “You totally slayed that exam!”
- Comebacks/insults – “She really slayed him with that comeback.”
So in modern slang, “slay” is used for anything done excellently, impeccably, flawlessly, etc. It’s an exaggerated way to say “killing it” or “crushing it”.
Who Uses “Slay” in Slang?
Use of “slay” became popular especially among young women and queer communities in the 2010s. From there it has spread more mainstream, though it remains most commonly used by Gen Z and millennials. Some key groups who use slay include:
- Gen Z and younger millennials
- Drag queens/LGBTQ+ community
- Fashion bloggers/influencers
- Makeup artists/beauty gurus
- Stan culture/pop music fans
However, slay is now used so widely online and in real life that most young people understand it, at least in North America. It has risen to prominence via meme culture, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and more. Despite origins among marginalized groups, it has become a universal sign of praise in youth slang.
Variations of “Slay”
Like many slang terms, “slay” has spawned many variations and adjacent terms:
- Slay queen – A phrase of encouragement, especially for showing confidence. Ex: “Slay, queen!”
- Slaying – Present continuous verb form. Ex: “You are slaying in that dress!”
- Slayage – Abstract noun form. Ex: “I must witness this slayage!”
- Yaaas slay – Exclamation of approval. Combines “yaaas” and “slay”.
- Slayer – A person who slays regularly. Ex: “She is such a slayer when it comes to eye makeup.”
- Slew – Past tense verb form. Indicates something really impressive happened. Ex: “She slew that performance.”
When is “Slay” Used?
Here are some of the most common situations and contexts where someone may use “slay” or a related term:
- Talking about fashion like outfits, makeup, or hairstyles. Ex: “Her highlights are slaying!”
- Discussing performances like singing, dancing, acting, etc. Ex: “Did you see her slay that dance routine?!”
- Complimenting achievements or wins. Ex: “Yaaas, slay that law school application!”
- Hyping up someone’s attitude/confidence. Ex: “Slay, queen!”
- Reacting to a comedian’s jokes or a savage insult. Ex: “She slew that heckler!”
- Discussing video games or sports. Ex: “I can’t slay noobs like I used to.”
Slay is most commonly used among young people talking about fashion, beauty, pop culture, and slaying metaphorical opponents. It’s all about hyping up and showing appreciation for a job well done.
Examples of Using “Slay” in Conversation
Here are some examples of how “slay” and related terms are used in everyday conversation among friends:
| Scenario | Conversation |
|---|---|
| Discussing fashion | “Ugh, I have nothing slay to wear tonight!”
“Girl, that dress is slaying on you! Yaaas!” |
| Gossiping about a performance | “I heard Taylor’s performance last night was pure slayage.”
“Obviously. She slays every time she performs.” |
| Complimenting makeup | “You’re an absolute slayer when it comes to eye liner wings!”
“Aw thanks! Still working on my highlight slayage though.” |
| Discussing an achievement | “You totally slew that final exam, nice work!”
“Slay! Couldn’t have done it without my study squad.” |
As you can see, “slay” and its variations add an exaggerated flair for giving props, showing appreciation, and building up confidence.
Related Slang Terms
Here are some other common slang terms with a similar meaning to “slay”:
- Kill it
- Crush it
- Smash it
- Nail it
- Ace it
- Rock it
- Own it
While these terms are more commonly used, “slay” is the most hyperbolic way to say someone did something exceptionally well in today’s slang.
Conclusion
In summary, “slay” in modern slang is an exaggerated phrase of praise for doing something flawlessly and impeccably. Though it originated in ballroom/drag culture, it became mainstream through young women and online spaces. Now it’s widely understood as a way to hype up achievements and confidence, especially in realms like fashion, beauty, and pop culture. Variations like “slay queen” and “slayage” add further flair. While silly and over-the-top, “slay” is here to stay as a hallmark of Gen Z praise.