The most searched slang words in SA and what they all mean
'Rage bait', 'cuh' and 'clock' are among the slang words South Africans have been searching for on Google in 2026.
Unscramble Words has released its list of the most-searched slang words in South Africa.
The study, which was released in August, put together a list of 20 slang words that South Africans have been searching for on Google.
Randoh Sallihall, spokesperson for Unscramble Words, said the findings offer an interesting look at how people use language to connect with one another.
"The most searched slang words of 2026 give insight into the cultural conversations happening in South Africa. Using slang is a social signal," says Sallihall.
He also explains the psychological meaning behind the words people search for.
“Research by Alice Damirjian (post-doctoral Department of Philosophy) describes slang as a way of identifying group affiliation, distinguishing insiders from outsiders and reinforcing social cohesion."
According to Sallihal, this suggests that people are not only looking up slang to understand what a word means, but also to understand one another and feel a sense of belonging.
One recent example of this is President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent viral “clock it” gesture while at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
The most searched word in Gauteng
In Gauteng, the most searched slang word is “mogging”.
Mogging refers to outclassing someone else by appearing more attractive, skilled or successful than them.
With language constantly evolving, some slang words can quickly become part of everyday conversations.
Here's a list of the top 20 slang words South Africans have searched for so far.
South Africa's most searched slang words (monthly searches), provided by unscramblerer:
- 67 (131 600 searches) - There is no literal meaning to six seven. Its absurdity is the point, making it a prime example of "brainrot" internet humour where the randomness itself becomes funny.
- Cap, capping, no cap (21 500 searches) - a lie, a fake claim or an exaggeration. No cap means the opposite: I'm telling the truth, seriously, no lie.
- Simp (20 900 searches) - show excessive devotion to or longing for someone or something. Most popular slang use is related to relationships where one partner does all the giving.
- Aura, aura points, aura farming (19 700 searches) - a person's cool factor, swagger or presence. Aura points are essentially coolness points that you can gain or lose by doing cool or cringe-worthy actions. Aura farming refers to a behaviour where a person does something for the sake of looking cool.
- Sigma (18 200 searches) - refers to an independent, self-reliant person who operates outside traditional social hierarchies, often described as a "lone wolf".
- Mogging, mogged, mog, framemog (16 200 searches) - outclassing someone else by appearing more attractive or successful.
- Gooning (14 700 searches) - The term has evolved to casually refer to becoming overly obsessed with something.
- Big back (13 200 searches) - refers to someone with a large physique. Someone who is seen as gluttonous or out of shape. It’s less about literal size and more about poking fun at behaviour, like hogging food or being sluggish.
- Clock it (11 600 searches) - agreeing with a sharp observation. Calling something out. Stating an unspoken truth.
- Rage bait (10 100 searches) - online content created on purpose to make people angry.
- Glazing (9 700 searches) - praising someone excessively and insincerely (sucking up).
- Chopped (8 500 searches) - something that is ugly, undesirable or unattractive. Looking very rough.
- Crash out (8 000 searches) - losing total emotional control and throwing a major tantrum.
- Larping, larper (7 800 searches) - someone who pretends to be something they are not.
- Bussin (6 900 searches) - extremely good, excellent or delicious.
- Cuh (6 800 searches) - a fun way to address a close friend. Similar to bro or dude.
- Maxxing (6 600 searches) - to maximise and optimise. Go all in on improving a specific part of your life.
- Mandem (5 600 searches) - a group of close male friends. Your crew.
- Oomf (5 200 searches) - short for "one of my followers" or "one of my friends".
- Bird (4 100 searches) - someone acting foolishly in relationships. Lacks common sense, has low standards and stays with a man who disrespects her.
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