motorboat slang mean

What Happens If You Motorboat Someone? (Here’s What You Need To Know)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to motorboat someone? But what is motorboating, and what are the potential consequences of doing it? Before you start motorboating, it’s important to understand the different types and the importance of consent.

In this article, we’ll discuss motorboating in both romantic and professional settings, and offer some tips for motorboating discreetly.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about motorboating.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Motorboating is when someone puts their face between two peoples chests and makes a loud vibrating noise with their lips.

Depending on the context, motorboating someone can be seen as either funny or offensive.

The reaction a person has to being motorboated will depend on how they perceive the gesture and the relationship they have with the person motorboating them.

What is Motorboating?

Motorboating is the act of pressing one’s face into someone’s chest and moving the head from side to side while making a loud, vibrating sound.

It is usually done as a joke or a way to show affection, but it can also be seen as a sexual gesture.

The sound that is made is meant to imitate the sound of a motorboat engine.

This act has been around for many years, but recently it has become more popular as a result of a few viral internet videos.

Motorboating is often seen as a funny and harmless way to show affection.

It can be done between friends, family, or romantic partners and usually results in laughter and good-natured teasing.

In some cases, it can even be seen as a sign of endearment and a way to show appreciation.

However, it is important to remember that motorboating someone without their consent can be seen as disrespectful and inappropriate.

It is important to be mindful of the relationship between the two parties and motorboat someone only with their permission.

Different Types of Motorboating

Motorboating is a term that has been around for quite some time, but most people don’t really know what it is.

Motorboating is a gesture of affection, usually between two people, where one person presses their face into the other person’s chest and moves their head from side to side while making a loud, vibrating sound.

This gesture is seen as humorous and often sexual in nature.

It is most commonly seen in popular culture, such as movies and TV shows, and is often used as a way to show affection between two people.

There are a variety of different types of motorboating that can be done.

For example, some people may choose to motorboat someone with their eyes closed, while others may choose to motorboat someone with their eyes open.

Other variations include motorboating someone with a tongue, or motorboating someone from behind.

Each type of motorboating has its own unique effects, so it is important to choose the method that best fits the situation.

Another type of motorboating is called the double motorboat, which is a combination of two different motorboating techniques.

In this type of motorboating, both participants press their faces into each other’s chests and move their heads from side to side while making a loud, vibrating sound.

This type of motorboating is often used to show a greater level of affection between two people and can be a very intimate gesture.

No matter what type of motorboating is done, it is important to always be respectful of the other person and to make sure that both parties are comfortable with the action.

Motorboating someone should never be done without their consent, as this could lead to legal repercussions.

Motorboating is a fun and often humorous gesture, but it should always be done with discretion and respect.

The Potential Consequences of Motorboating

Motorboating is a gesture that can be funny, affectionate, or even provocative, depending on the relationship between the two people involved.

Depending on the situation, motorboating someone can have a variety of different consequences.

If motorboating is done between two people who are in a relationship, it can be seen as a fun and innocent way to show affection.

It can also be used as a playful tease between two people who are flirting or in a budding relationship.

However, if motorboating is done without the other person’s consent, it can be viewed as disrespectful and offensive.

Depending on the context, it could even lead to legal repercussions.

In a professional setting, motorboating can be highly inappropriate and should be avoided at all costs.

In some cases, it may violate the employer’s code of conduct or even lead to a hostile work environment.

For example, if an employee motorboats a coworker, it could be seen as sexual harassment and result in disciplinary action.

Ultimately, motorboating someone should be done with discretion and respect.

It is important to be aware of the potential consequences before engaging in such an activity.

If motorboating is done without the other person’s consent, it could have serious legal and professional repercussions.

On the other hand, if it is done in a respectful and consensual manner, it can be a fun and playful way to show affection.

Motorboating and Consent

Motorboating someone without their consent is never acceptable and can lead to serious legal repercussions.

It is important to ensure that the person you are motorboating is comfortable and willing to partake in the act before proceeding.

When motorboating someone, it is important to remember that it is an intimate act and should never be taken lightly.

Consent should always be sought before motorboating someone and both parties should be comfortable with the act.

In some cases, motorboating someone without their consent can be seen as sexual assault.

For this reason, it is essential to be aware of the laws in your region regarding motorboating and sexual assault.

In some areas, motorboating someone without their consent could be considered a criminal act.

It is also important to remember that even if the other person has agreed to the act, it is still possible for them to change their mind at any time.

Respect their wishes and stop the motorboating immediately if they are not comfortable.

Motorboating in a Romantic Relationship

When it comes to motorboating in a romantic relationship, there are both positive and negative consequences to consider.

On one hand, motorboating can be a fun and silly way to show affection and flirt with ones partner.

It can be seen as a playful and lighthearted gesture that can help to break the ice and bring some levity to a relationship.

Additionally, motorboating can be a form of sexual foreplay, which can increase the intimacy between two people.

On the other hand, motorboating can be seen as inappropriate or even disrespectful in some cases.

It is important to always have respect for your partner and their wishes – motorboating should not be done without their consent.

Additionally, motorboating can also be seen as a sign of disrespect or a lack of intimacy if done too frequently or in a negative or mocking manner.

It is important to be aware of the dynamics of the relationship and the feelings of both parties before engaging in motorboating.

Motorboating in a Professional Setting

Motorboating someone in a professional setting is a risky move and should be avoided at all costs.

While motorboating can be seen as a humorous and often sexual gesture, it is highly inappropriate in a professional environment.

Doing so could be seen as disrespectful and offensive and could lead to legal repercussions if done without the other person’s consent.

It is important to remember that motorboating someone in a professional setting can be misconstrued as sexual harassment.

Depending on the relationship between the two parties, it could have serious repercussions for the perpetrator, ranging from a reprimand up to potential legal action.

Even if the other person is a friend or colleague, motorboating them in a professional setting is still a bad idea.

Before engaging in any kind of potentially inappropriate behavior, it is important to consider the potential consequences.

For example, if you motorboat someone in a professional setting, you may be creating an uncomfortable and hostile work environment for those around you.

Additionally, it could also put you at risk for termination, suspension, or even legal action.

At the end of the day, it is important to respect the boundaries of those around you and to exercise discretion when engaging in any kind of potentially inappropriate behavior.

Motorboating someone in a professional setting is never a good idea and should be avoided at all costs.

Tips for Motorboating Discreetly

Motorboating someone should always be done with respect and discretion.

Before you motorboat someone, make sure that they are comfortable with the gesture and have given their consent.

Respect their wishes if they decline or ask you to stop.

If you are unsure of the other persons reaction, start by asking if they would like to be motorboated.

If you are in a relationship with the person, it is important to make sure that your motorboating is consensual.

Talk to your partner about what they are comfortable with and respect their wishes.

If you are not in a relationship, it is best to avoid motorboating altogether, as it can be seen as disrespectful and offensive.

When motorboating someone, try to be discreet.

Do not do it in public or in front of children.

Make sure that the person is comfortable with the gesture and that you are not making them feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.

Finally, make sure to be aware of the legal implications of motorboating someone without their consent.

Depending on the situation, it may be considered sexual harassment or even assault.

Respect the other persons boundaries and be aware of the potential consequences of motorboating someone without their consent.

Final Thoughts

Motorboating is a fun and often humorous way to show affection, but it must be done with discretion and respect.

Depending on the relationship between two parties, motorboating someone can have a variety of consequences, including legal repercussions if done without consent.

If you choose to motorboat someone, be sure to practice consent, use discretion, and be aware of the potential consequences.

Now that you know what happens if you motorboat someone, it’s up to you to decide if this is something you would like to experience or share with someone else.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

Recent Posts

When Was Banana Boat Song Released? (HISTORICAL INSIGHTS)

The "Banana Boat Song" was released in 1956 by Harry Belafonte. This calypso-style song, also known as "Day-O," became a huge hit and remains popular to this day for its catchy tune and upbeat...

How to Make Banana Boat Smoothie King? (DELICIOUS RECIPE REVEALED)

To make a Banana Boat Smoothie King smoothie at home, start by gathering the ingredients: a ripe banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, almond milk, and ice. Blend the banana, a scoop of...

Definition of motorboat

Verb - transitive.

• See more words with the same meaning: sex activities, practices, moves .

Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning.

Slang terms with the same root words

None. How about some random words?

How common is this slang?

How vulgar is this slang?

Average of 72 votes : 44%  ( See the most vulgar words .)

Your vote: None   (To vote, click the pepper. Vote how vulgar the word is – not how mean it is.)

JavaScript must be enabled to vote.

Where is this slang used?

Logged-in users can add themselves to the map. Login , Register , Login instantly with Facebook .

Link to this slang definition

To link to this term in a web page or blog, insert the following.

<a href="http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/motorboat">motorboat</a>

To link to this term in a wiki such as Wikipedia, insert the following.

[http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/motorboat motorboat]

Some wikis use a different format for links, so be sure to check the documentation.

What does Motorboat mean?

Other definitions of Motorboat:

• To motorboat someone, place your face between their breasts, squishing them together, rock your head side to side (or have them jiggle back and forth), and making an audible "brrrr" noise, which sounds like a motorboat.

All of our slang term and phrase definitions are made possible by our wonderful visitors. If you know of another definition of Motorboat that should be included here, please let us know .

How to use the term Motorboat :

It's doubtful she derives much pleasure other than seeing your amusement when you're motorboating.

Oh, motorboat me harder, baby! Yes, just like that!

References:

There are no references for Motorboat at this time. We would greatly appreciate your contribution if you would like to submit your own !

More slang terms:

Hit The Nail On The Head

no f**king deal

In Which Case

Submit a new or better definition for Motorboat

Thus concludes our slang archive for motorboat..

We hope you have found this useful. If you have any additional definitions of Motorboat that should be on this list, or know of any slang terms that we haven't already published, click here to let us know!

Recent blog articles from Slang.org

Top Millennial Slang of 2020

Slang squad! It’s time for some tea, fam — we’re going all out on another roll-call, and this time we’re focusing on the dankness that is Millennial slang. Recently, we’ve been scoping plenty of sketches and songs that are trying to yeet in this kind of slang left and right, often to great comedic effect. […]

Top Slang Terms of 2017

Suh, fam? Today we’re diving deep with some of the most lit terms from 2017. Be warned: some of these terms have been around since before MMXVII, but our Slang.org experts have made sure to include only words that have either had a revival or are at least relevant to current slang-biosphere. On this year […]

British Slang Terms

Ay-up, ladies and gents: it’s time for a British Slang roll-call! Today we’ll be visiting our neighbors across the pond here at Slang.org to give you a deep dive into the countries most enticing jargon. Remember to always show respect and not to do terrible accents (unless you’re quite smashing at it, mate). Below you’ll […]

Marijuana Slang Terms, Part Two

It’s time for more marijuana slang! With all the recent news about cannabis legalization, we want you all equipped with the hip hemp lingo. It appears the part one of the article has made it around the circle, and it’s your turn with the second installment. Remember: read-read-pass, so share this article with another budding […]

Marijuana Slang Terms, Part One

Pack a bowl, roll a joint and prepare your mind for some Mary Jane related slang. We here at Slang keep a healthy relationship with all herbs and with all the recent news about cannabis legalization, we thought we would explore the vernacular. Now you can finally know what all your stoner friends are saying […]

Slang Terms of the 1980’s

From the election of Ronald Reagan to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 80’s (AKA the Eighties) was an era of popularizing slang. This decade saw the advent of MTV, Valley Girl culture, and TV hits like the Simpsons; of course it’s vernacular was going to explode. Here’s a list of the oddest or […]

Study up on your slang:

Recently defined.

• Uno Reverse Card

Trending Terms

• Spell Coconut
• Flashback Mary

Random Picks

Browse by letter.

Copyright 2016 Slang.org . All Rights Reserved. Slang.org is a community-driven dictionary and database of slang terms.

MOTORBOATING

What does motorboating mean in a text, image for motorboating.

When I write MOTORBOATING , I mean this:

"Making motor noises when your is head between a woman's breasts"

Summary of Key Points

Examples of MOTORBOATING in Sentences

• Jordan: MOTORBOATING .

An Academic Look at MOTORBOATING

What did we say before texting and social media, example of motorboating used in a text.

This page is maintained by the Cyber Definitions Editorial Team .

You might also like...

Help us improve cyber definitions.

• Do you disagree with something on this page?
• Did you spot a typo?
• Do you know a slang term that we've missed?

Share This Page

If you like Cyber Definitions (or this page in particular), please link to it or share it with others. If you do, please tell us . It helps us a lot!

Create a QR Code

Use our handy widget to create a QR code for this page...or any page.

More Topics...

emoji library

sex & dating terms

spotting drug abuse

saying "I love you"

encrypting messages

gaming terms

spotting grooming

numbers in texting

Spanish slang terms

using special symbols

coronavirus terms

• 1.1 Alternative forms
• 1.2 Etymology
• 1.3 Pronunciation
• 1.4.1 Translations
• 1.4.2 See also

Alternative forms

motor +‎ boat

Pronunciation

• ( UK ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈməʊtəˌbəʊt/
• ( US ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈmoʊtəˌboʊt/

motorboat ( plural motorboats )

• ( nautical ) Any vessel driven by an engine (either inboard or outboard ), but especially a small one.

Translations

motorboat ( third-person singular simple present motorboats , present participle motorboating , simple past and past participle motorboated )

• To ride in a motorboat.
• 2011 October 10, Molly McCarthy, Stella Blake-Kelly, Peter McCaffrey, “Year In News”, in Salient , Victoria University of Wellington, page 9 : ACT on Campus President Peter McCaffrey allegedly motorboated Heather Roy at the ACT Party offices over the newly-passed piece of legislation.
• 2012 June 8, “ Underwood takes her 3rd video of year win at CMTs ”, in Bali Post , page 12 : Kellie Pickler pretended to motorboat an imaginary pair of breasts to introduce Little Big Town's performance of “Pontoon,” [ … ]
• 2013 October 25, “Breast cancer awareness gone too far”, in The Daily Athenaeum , West Virginia University, page 4 : Other promotional events, such as “No Bra” day or the “ motorboating girls for breast cancer awareness” campaign, also take things a little too far.
• 2013 , "19 Most Lustable Celebs", VIBE , April/May 2013, page 84 : You're blind to the blue Pacific water and glaring sun as your entire face is buried in Sofia's bosom—you're motorboating on a motorboat!
• 2014 , Madison Holmes, "Big boobs: The bane of my existence", The Orion (Chico State University), 15 October 2014, page A6 : While talking to some dude at a party, he bent over and motorboated me.
• 2015 , Jill Sorenson, Shooting Dirty , unnumbered page : Tiffany put her hands on Janelle's hips and motorboated her breasts.
• 2016 July 19, Shane Allison, You're the One I Want: A Novel , Simon and Schuster, →ISBN : Tangela has these huge titties, the kind I like to motorboat .
• 2013 August 1, Ben Brooks, Lolito , Canongate Books, →ISBN : 'And we can fucking smash his dick in. Elliot's coming. And Hattie.' 'Are you lying?' 'I am not lying.' 'If you are lying, I am going to smash your dick in.' ... Amundsen pushes his whole head into the bowl, motorboating his food.
• 2021 April 6, Natasha Osiris, Transformed into a Ts-Girl (M2F) by a Dice , AuthorHouse, →ISBN : Immediately I started to lick, to suck, to kiss, to blow and to motorboat her pussy .
• 2012 07 , Karen Alterisio Nelson, Millions of Reasons to Lie , iUniverse, →ISBN , page 118 : She wanted to straddle him and motorboat him right there. She thought about his chest again, and his lips. His dark eyelashes made his dark chocolate eyes so much darker, especially when they softened with desire.
• 2017 April 9, Harvey C Gordon, SEXciting PUNography , eBook Partnership, →ISBN : A man who was having trouble recalling an important piece of information put his head between his girlfriend's breasts and had her motorboat him. You might say the man was racking his brain trying to remember.
• 2019 April 24, Cassandra Dee, Buy Me: A Forbidden Romance , Cassandra Dee Romance: Some guys would have welcomed the opportunity to motorboat his face between two huge bags of saline, enjoying the artificial bounceback.
• 2020 January 28, Joe Ide, Hi Five , Mulholland Books, →ISBN : “Why didn't you just take your tits out and motorboat him?” “He was nice and polite, okay?” she said. “Something you should learn about. Where's the fucking car?” As good a time as any, Isaiah thought.
• 2020 August 18, Ashley & JaQuavis, Money Devils 1: A Cartel Novel , St. Martin's Press, →ISBN : It was the same girl from the boat earlier that day, but she was the one driving this go-around. She motorboated his face as he licked away. A petite-framed Latina woman was giving him oral while massaging his sack.
• 2021 September 1, Goran Radanovic, 10 Erotic Short Stories Vol. 1 , Goran Radanovic, →ISBN , page 51 : He smiled as I motorboated his face between my breasts.
• For more quotations using this term, see Citations:motorboat .

• English compound terms
• English 3-syllable words
• English terms with IPA pronunciation
• English terms with audio links
• English lemmas
• English nouns
• English countable nouns
• en:Nautical
• English verbs
• English slang
• English intransitive verbs
• English transitive verbs
• English terms with quotations
• Terms with Albanian translations
• Terms with Arabic translations
• Terms with Armenian translations
• Terms with Azerbaijani translations
• Terms with Belarusian translations
• Bengali terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
• Terms with Bengali translations
• Terms with Bulgarian translations
• Terms with Burmese translations
• Terms with Cantonese translations
• Terms with Mandarin translations
• Mandarin terms with redundant transliterations
• Terms with Czech translations
• Terms with Danish translations
• Terms with Dutch translations
• Terms with Estonian translations
• Terms with Faroese translations
• Terms with Finnish translations
• Terms with French translations
• Terms with Georgian translations
• Terms with German translations
• Terms with Greek translations
• Terms with Hindi translations
• Terms with Hungarian translations
• Terms with Icelandic translations
• Terms with Italian translations
• Japanese terms with redundant script codes
• Terms with Japanese translations
• Terms with Kazakh translations
• Terms with Khmer translations
• Terms with Korean translations
• Terms with Kyrgyz translations
• Terms with Lao translations
• Terms with Latvian translations
• Terms with Lithuanian translations
• Terms with Macedonian translations
• Terms with Malay translations
• Terms with Maori translations
• Terms with Norwegian Bokmål translations
• Terms with Norwegian Nynorsk translations
• Terms with Persian translations
• Terms with Polish translations
• Terms with Portuguese translations
• Terms with Romanian translations
• Terms with Russian translations
• Terms with Serbo-Croatian translations
• Terms with Slovak translations
• Terms with Slovene translations
• Terms with Spanish translations
• Terms with Swedish translations
• Terms with Tajik translations
• Terms with Thai translations
• Terms with Turkish translations
• Terms with Turkmen translations
• Terms with Ukrainian translations
• Urdu terms with redundant transliterations
• Terms with Urdu translations
• Terms with Uyghur translations
• Terms with Uzbek translations
• Terms with Vietnamese translations

Navigation menu

What does it mean to motorboat someone?

by Carol Dillon

As a professional wedding consultant, I strive to provide detailed and informative answers to all questions related to weddings and relationships. Today, I will address the question of what it means to “motorboat” someone. Please note that this term is slang and may not be suitable for all audiences.

To put it simply, motorboating refers to the act of placing one’s head between a woman’s breasts and making the sound of a motorboat with one’s lips while moving the head from side to side. This action is typically done in a playful or intimate manner and is often seen as a form of physical affection or sexual gratification.

It is important to note that motorboating is not a universally accepted or appropriate behavior in all situations. It is generally considered a playful or intimate act between consenting adults and is often associated with a sexual context. It is crucial to always obtain explicit consent from your partner before engaging in any physical acts, including motorboating.

While motorboating may be seen as a form of physical affection or foreplay in some relationships, it is important to remember that everyone has different boundaries and comfort levels when it comes to intimate acts. It is essential to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about what is consensual and enjoyable for both parties involved.

In the context of a wedding or any public event, motorboating is generally considered inappropriate and disrespectful. It is important to maintain a level of professionalism and respect when attending such occasions. Engaging in any behavior that may be seen as offensive or inappropriate can have negative consequences and may tarnish your reputation.

To summarize, motorboating refers to the act of placing one’s head between a woman’s breasts and making a motorboat sound with one’s lips. While it may be seen as a form of physical affection or sexual gratification in certain contexts, it is crucial to always obtain explicit consent from your partner and respect their boundaries. In public or professional settings, it is important to maintain a level of professionalism and avoid engaging in inappropriate behavior.

motorboating

• Dictionary entries
• Quote, rate & share

• Meaning of motorboating

motorboating ( English)

• The act of travelling in a motorboat .
• ( slang ) The act of placing one's head between a woman's breasts and making the sound of a motorboat with one's lips whilst moving the head from side to side.
• Present participle of motorboat
• 2010 , Phil Torcivia, Nice Meeting You , page 183: (He is referring to her boobs.) Phil: Nice. Dog #1: They are suh-weet! Can you imagine climbing behind that caboose and hanging on to those milk-bags? Dog #2: I'd be motorboating them for hours.
• 2011 , Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi , A Shore Thing , page 120: "Mmmm," he mumbled, his face between her boobs, motorboating .
• 2012 , Alex Langley, The Geek Handbook: Practical Skills and Advice for the Likeable Modern Geek , page 56 PROBLEM: You accidentally touched your platonic galpal on the boob. SOLUTION: Apologize quickly, making it clear that it was just a slip of the hand. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE: Try to “break the tension” by motorboating your friend's breasts.

Automatically generated practical examples in English:

The Class B (under 60 feet) was one of three motorboating classes contested on the Water motorsports at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme. Water motorsports at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Class B

The Class A (open class) was one of three motorboating classes contested on the Water motorsports at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme. Water motorsports at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Class A

The Class C (6.5 to 8 metres) was one of three motorboating classes contested on the Water motorsports at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme. Water motorsports at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Class C

▾  Further examples

The Yachting Association of India is the governing body for sailing, windsurfing and motorboating in India. Sailing in India - Wikipedia

Purpose, Promote small boat sailing and motorboating in and about the Charlottetown Harbour. Headquarters, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Charlottetown Yacht Club - Wikipedia

The surrounding area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation; these include fishing, sailing, motorboating , golfing, and hiking. New Smyrna Beach, Florida - Wikipedia

Lance Corporal Daniel Monk, 31, who was accused of thrusting his face into a female soldier's lap before 'motorboating' her, was today cleared of sexual assault at Bulford Military Court. Mail Online, 1 April 2022

▾  Dictionary entries

Entries where "motorboating" occurs:

motorboat : …(masc.) Swedish: motorbåt‎ (common) Verb motorboat (third-person singular simple present motorboats, present participle motorboating , simple past and past participle motorboated) (slang) To place one's head between a woman's breasts and make the sound of…

motonautisme : motonautisme (French) Noun motonautisme (masc.) (pl. motonautismes) motorboating Related words & phrases motonautiste

moottoriveneily : moottoriveneily (Finnish) Noun moottoriveneily motorboating

motonautică : motonautică (Romanian) Origin & history From French motonautique‎ Noun motonautică (fem.) (uncountable) motorboating

Citations:motorboat : …2013, page 84:    You're blind to the blue Pacific water and glaring sun as your entire face is buried in Sofia's bosom—you're motorboating on a motorboat! 2013, "Benny Boy," "The Blackout And The Beautiful: Part XII - The Finale", The Black Sheep (University…

Quote, Rate & Share

Cite this page : "motorboating" – WordSense Online Dictionary (18th June, 2024) URL: https://www.wordsense.eu/motorboating/

There are no notes for this entry.

▾  Next

motorboatist (English)

motorboatists (English)

motorboatman (English)

motorboatmen (English)

motorboats (English)

▾  About WordSense

▾  references.

The references include Wikipedia, Cambridge Dictionary Online, Oxford English Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary 1913 and others. Details can be found in the individual articles.

▾  License

▾  latest.

Top 37 Slang For Boat – Meaning & Usage

Boats, whether they’re cruising along the open seas or peacefully floating on a tranquil lake, have their own language. From nautical terms to slang that’s been passed down through generations of sailors, the world of boat lingo is as vast as the ocean itself.

In this listicle, we’ve rounded up the top slang for boat that will have you speaking like a seasoned sailor in no time. So hop aboard and get ready to navigate the waves of boat jargon with confidence!

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Gin Palace

A “gin palace” is a slang term for a luxurious and extravagant boat, typically a large yacht. The term is often used to describe opulent and high-end vessels.

• For example , “He arrived at the party in his gin palace, turning heads with its sleek design and lavish features.”
• In a conversation about boating , someone might say, “I dream of owning a gin palace one day, sailing around the world in style.”
• A boating enthusiast might admire a gin palace and exclaim , “That boat is the epitome of luxury, a true gin palace.”

A “barge” is a type of boat that is flat-bottomed and designed for carrying goods on rivers and canals. The term can also be used to refer to any large and unwieldy boat.

• For instance , “The barge slowly made its way down the river, carrying a heavy load of cargo.”
• In a discussion about transportation , someone might mention, “Barges are often used to transport goods efficiently and cost-effectively.”
• A person describing a boat they saw might say , “It wasn’t the most elegant boat, more like a floating barge.”

3. Ditch crawler

A “ditch crawler” is a slang term for a small boat, typically used for navigating narrow waterways or shallow areas. The term emphasizes the boat’s ability to maneuver in tight spaces.

• For example , “He took his ditch crawler out for a peaceful day of fishing in the narrow canals.”
• In a conversation about boating options , someone might say, “I prefer a ditch crawler for exploring hidden waterways and marshes.”
• A boating enthusiast might recommend a ditch crawler and say , “If you love exploring remote areas, a ditch crawler is the way to go.”

4. Tupperware

A “Tupperware” is a slang term for a boat made of plastic, typically referring to small recreational boats. The term is often used humorously to describe boats that are lightweight and easily transportable.

• For instance , “He took his Tupperware out on the lake for a day of fishing and relaxation.”
• In a discussion about boat materials , someone might say, “Tupperware boats are popular among beginners due to their affordability and durability.”
• A person describing a boat they saw might joke , “It was a classic Tupperware, perfect for a picnic on the water.”

A “plastic” is a slang term for a boat made of fiberglass. The term is commonly used among boating enthusiasts and refers to the material used in the construction of the boat.

• For example , “He proudly showed off his new plastic, a sleek and shiny vessel.”
• In a conversation about boat maintenance , someone might mention, “Plastic boats require regular cleaning and waxing to keep their glossy appearance.”
• A boating enthusiast might discuss the advantages of a plastic and say , “Fiberglass boats are lightweight, durable, and offer excellent performance on the water.”

A scow is a type of boat with a flat-bottomed hull, typically used for transporting goods or dredging. The flat-bottom design allows for easy loading and unloading of cargo.

• For example , “The scow was used to transport lumber down the river.”
• In a discussion about water transportation , someone might ask, “Has anyone ever been on a scow before?”
• A boating enthusiast might say , “Scows are great for shallow waters and navigating through marshes.”

In boating slang, “A1” refers to a boat that is in excellent condition. It indicates that the boat is well-maintained and ready for use.

• For instance , “That yacht is A1, it’s been well taken care of.”
• A boat owner might advertise , “Selling my A1 sailboat, it’s in pristine condition.”
• In a discussion about boat maintenance , someone might say, “Regular cleaning and servicing is important to keep your boat A1.”

8. At Loggerheads

The phrase “at loggerheads” is a nautical term that refers to two boats coming into contact and becoming stuck together. Figuratively, it means to be in a state of disagreement or conflict.

• For example , “The two politicians are at loggerheads over the new policy.”
• In a debate , someone might say, “We’ve been at loggerheads for hours, let’s try to find some common ground.”
• A news headline might read , “Labor and management at loggerheads in contract negotiations.”

9. Barge In

To “barge in” means to interrupt or intrude into a conversation or situation without invitation or permission. The term comes from the image of a barge forcefully entering a space.

• For instance , “He always barge in when we’re trying to have a serious discussion.”
• In a social gathering , someone might say, “Please don’t barge in, wait for your turn.”
• A parent might scold their child , “You can’t just barge in without knocking.”

10. Coasties

In boating slang, “Coasties” refers to members of the Coast Guard. It is a colloquial term used to describe individuals who serve in the maritime branch of a country’s military or law enforcement.

• For example , “The Coasties rescued the stranded boaters during the storm.”
• In a discussion about maritime safety , someone might ask, “Do the Coasties patrol this area regularly?”
• A Coast Guard member might say , “I’m proud to be one of the Coasties, protecting our shores.”

11. Blowboater

This term is often used to refer to someone who is passionate about sailing and owns a sailboat. It can also be used to describe someone who enjoys participating in sailboat races or regattas.

• For example , “He spends every weekend out on the water, he’s a true blowboater.”
• A sailing club might organize an event and invite blowboaters to join and showcase their skills.
• A sailing enthusiast might say , “I love being a blowboater because it allows me to connect with nature and experience the thrill of the wind in my sails.”

12. Snailboater

This term is used to describe a sailboat that is moving at a slow speed, often due to light wind or unfavorable sailing conditions. It can also be used as a playful nickname for someone who prefers a leisurely pace while sailing.

• For instance , “We were stuck behind a snailboater during the race, and it took us longer to reach the finish line.”
• A sailor might say , “I enjoy being a snailboater because it allows me to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the water.”
• During a sailing trip , someone might jokingly say, “We’re not in a rush, let’s embrace our inner snailboaters and take our time.”

13. Dead in the water

This phrase is used to describe a boat that has come to a complete stop and is not moving. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where there is no progress or forward movement.

• For example , “The engine failed, and we were dead in the water until help arrived.”
• A sailor might say , “We encountered a strong current that left us dead in the water for hours.”
• In a business context , someone might say, “Without a clear plan, the project is dead in the water.”

14. Stinkpot

This term is often used to refer to a motorboat, particularly one with a gasoline-powered engine. It is derived from the strong smell of exhaust fumes emitted by motorboats.

• For instance , “He prefers the speed and convenience of a stinkpot over a sailboat.”
• A boat enthusiast might say , “I enjoy sailing, but sometimes it’s nice to take a break and hop on a stinkpot.”
• During a conversation about different types of boats , someone might ask, “Are you more of a stinkpot person or a blowboater?”

15. Oil burner

This term is used to describe a boat that is powered by a diesel engine. Diesel-powered boats are sometimes referred to as oil burners due to the fuel they use.

• For example , “He owns an oil burner and enjoys the fuel efficiency it provides.”
• A boat mechanic might say , “When maintaining an oil burner, it’s important to regularly check the fuel filters.”
• During a discussion about different types of boat engines , someone might ask, “Do you prefer gas-powered boats or oil burners?”

16. High-tide riders

This term refers to experienced boaters who are skilled at navigating during high tide conditions. It implies that these boaters are familiar with the challenges and nuances of boating in high tide.

• For example , “The high-tide riders know exactly how to navigate through the narrow channels during high tide.”
• A boater might say , “If you want to learn how to handle your boat during high tide, seek advice from the high-tide riders.”
• In a discussion about boating techniques , someone might mention, “The high-tide riders have mastered the art of reading the water and understanding the tides.”

17. As the crow flies

This phrase is often used to describe the shortest distance between two points, without considering any obstacles or detours. It implies a direct and efficient route.

• For instance , “The marina is just two miles away as the crow flies, but it will take longer if we follow the winding river.”
• A boater might say , “Let’s go to that island over there, it’s only a few miles as the crow flies.”
• In a discussion about navigation , someone might mention, “As the crow flies, the distance between two points may seem short, but you have to consider the actual route on the water.”

18. Go Fast

This phrase is used to encourage or describe the act of increasing the speed of a boat. It implies a desire for a thrilling and fast-paced boating experience.

• For example , “Hold on tight, we’re going fast!”
• A boater might say , “I love to go fast and feel the wind in my hair.”
• In a discussion about different boating styles , someone might mention, “Some boaters prefer a leisurely cruise, while others like to go fast and enjoy the adrenaline rush.”

19. Go Fast/Go Loud

This phrase is often used to describe a boating style that involves both high speed and loud engine noise. It implies a preference for a powerful and attention-grabbing boating experience.

• For instance , “When they go fast, they also go loud with their engines revving.”
• A boater might say , “If you want to make a statement on the water, go fast and go loud.”
• In a discussion about different types of boating events , someone might mention, “The go fast/go loud races are always a crowd favorite.”

20. Boating Dollars

This term refers to the expenses associated with owning and operating a boat. It implies that boating can be a costly hobby or lifestyle.

• For example , “He has invested a lot of boating dollars in his yacht.”
• A boater might say , “Before you buy a boat, make sure you’re prepared for the boating dollars that come with it.”
• In a discussion about budgeting for boating , someone might mention, “It’s important to factor in all the boating dollars, including maintenance, fuel, and insurance.”

21. Sailboat

A type of boat that is propelled by wind, using sails to harness the power of the wind. Sailboats come in various sizes and configurations, from small single-handed dinghies to large luxury yachts.

• For example , “Let’s go out for a day of sailing on my sailboat.”
• A sailor might say , “I prefer the freedom and tranquility of sailing on a sailboat.”
• In a discussion about different types of boats , someone might mention, “Sailboats are known for their elegance and grace on the water.”

22. Motorboat

A boat that is powered by an engine, typically an internal combustion engine. Motorboats come in various sizes and styles, from small speedboats to large yachts.

• For instance , “Let’s take the motorboat out for some water skiing.”
• A boating enthusiast might say , “I love the thrill and speed of a motorboat.”
• In a conversation about different types of boats , someone might mention, “Motorboats are great for exploring large bodies of water quickly and efficiently.”

A narrow boat that is pointed at both ends and propelled by paddles. Canoes are typically used for recreational purposes, such as leisurely paddling on calm lakes or navigating rivers.

• For example , “Let’s go canoeing down the river and enjoy the peacefulness of nature.”
• A nature enthusiast might say , “Canoeing allows you to explore remote and untouched areas.”
• In a discussion about different types of boats , someone might mention, “Canoes are perfect for solo or tandem paddling adventures.”

A small, narrow boat that is propelled by a double-bladed paddle. Kayaks are designed for one or two people and are commonly used for recreational activities such as touring, fishing, and whitewater rafting.

• For instance , “Let’s go kayaking and explore the hidden coves along the coast.”
• An outdoor enthusiast might say , “Kayaking allows you to get up close and personal with nature.”
• In a conversation about different types of boats , someone might mention, “Kayaks are versatile and can be used in various water conditions.”

A small, shallow-draft boat that is typically used for fishing in calm waters. Skiffs are lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them popular among anglers.

• For example , “Let’s take the skiff out for some early morning fishing.”
• A fishing enthusiast might say , “Skiffs allow you to access shallow areas where larger boats can’t go.”
• In a discussion about different types of boats , someone might mention, “Skiffs are perfect for fly fishing or casting in tight spaces.”

26. Jon boat

A small, flat-bottomed boat typically used for fishing or hunting in shallow waters. The term “Jon boat” is a colloquialism, derived from the name “John,” and is often used interchangeably with “John boat.”

• For example , “Let’s take the Jon boat out on the lake and do some fishing.”
• A person discussing boating options might say , “A Jon boat is perfect for navigating narrow rivers.”
• In a conversation about different types of boats , someone might ask, “What’s the difference between a Jon boat and a bass boat?”

27. Pontoon boat

A flat-bottomed boat that is buoyant due to pontoons, which are air-filled chambers attached to the bottom of the boat. Pontoon boats are often used for leisure activities such as cruising, fishing, or partying on the water. The term “party barge” is a colloquialism used to emphasize the social and recreational aspects of pontoon boats.

• For instance , “We rented a pontoon boat for a day of fun on the lake. It was like a floating party barge!”
• A person discussing boating options might say , “A pontoon boat is great for a relaxing day on the water with friends.”
• In a conversation about different types of boats , someone might ask, “Can you fish from a pontoon boat?”

28. Houseboat

A boat that has been designed or modified for use as a permanent residence. Houseboats typically have living spaces, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, providing all the comforts of a traditional home. The term “floating home” is often used to highlight the fact that houseboats serve as both a means of transportation and a place to live.

• For example , “We spent our vacation on a houseboat, and it felt like living in a floating home.”
• A person discussing alternative living arrangements might say , “I’m considering buying a houseboat and living on the water.”
• In a conversation about unique vacation experiences , someone might ask, “Have you ever stayed in a houseboat?”

29. Jet ski

A small, motorized vehicle designed to be ridden on the water. Jet skis are typically used for recreational purposes, such as cruising, racing, or performing tricks. The term “personal watercraft” is a more formal and descriptive term for jet ski.

• For instance , “Let’s go to the beach and rent a jet ski for some fun on the water.”
• A person discussing water sports might say , “I love riding a personal watercraft like a jet ski.”
• In a conversation about different types of watercraft , someone might ask, “What’s the difference between a jet ski and a wave runner?”

30. Catamaran

A boat that has two parallel hulls connected by a deck or framework. Catamarans are known for their stability and speed, making them popular for both recreational and commercial purposes. The term “twin-hull boat” is a more technical description of a catamaran.

• For example , “We went on a catamaran cruise and enjoyed the smooth ride and spacious deck.”
• A person discussing sailing might say , “Catamarans are great for long-distance voyages due to their stability.”
• In a conversation about different types of boats , someone might ask, “What are the advantages of a catamaran over a traditional single-hull boat?”

31. Trawler

A trawler is a type of fishing vessel that is designed to tow a trawl net through the water to catch fish. It is often used for commercial fishing purposes.

• For example , “The trawler returned to the harbor with a big catch of cod.”
• A fisherman might say , “I’ve been working on a trawler for over 10 years.”
• In a discussion about sustainable fishing , someone might mention, “Trawlers can have a negative impact on marine ecosystems if not properly regulated.”

32. Cruiser

A cruiser is a type of boat that is designed for leisure and recreational purposes. It is typically larger and more luxurious than other types of boats and is often used for cruising or sailing.

• For instance , “They spent the weekend on their cruiser, exploring the nearby islands.”
• A boating enthusiast might say , “I love taking my cruiser out on the lake for a relaxing day on the water.”
• In a discussion about different types of boats , someone might ask, “What’s the difference between a cruiser and a yacht?”

33. Gondola

A gondola is a traditional Venetian boat that is used for transportation in the canals of Venice, Italy. It is typically long and narrow, with a flat bottom and a high prow and stern.

• For example , “They took a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Venice.”
• A traveler might say , “Riding a gondola is a must-do experience when visiting Venice.”
• In a discussion about unique modes of transportation , someone might mention, “Gondolas are an iconic symbol of Venice.”

34. Pontoon

A pontoon is a type of boat that is supported by pontoons, or flotation devices, instead of a traditional hull. It is often used for recreational activities such as fishing or leisurely cruising.

• For instance , “They went fishing on their pontoon and caught several bass.”
• A boating enthusiast might say , “Pontoon boats are great for relaxing and enjoying time on the water.”
• In a discussion about different types of boats , someone might ask, “What are the advantages of a pontoon boat over a traditional motorboat?”

35. Speedboat

A speedboat is a type of boat that is designed for high speed and performance. It is typically smaller and more agile than other types of boats and is often used for water sports or racing.

• For example , “They went water skiing behind their speedboat.”
• A boating enthusiast might say , “I love the adrenaline rush of driving a speedboat at top speed.”
• In a discussion about different types of boats , someone might ask, “What’s the fastest speedboat ever recorded?”

36. Canoe-kayak

A canoe-kayak, often referred to as a “paddlecraft,” is a small and narrow boat that is propelled by paddling. It can be used for recreational purposes or for competitive sports such as canoeing and kayaking.

• For example , “Let’s take the canoe-kayak out on the lake for a relaxing afternoon.”
• In a discussion about water sports , someone might say, “I prefer canoe-kayaking over other forms of boating.”
• A person planning a camping trip might ask , “Does anyone know where we can rent a canoe-kayak for our adventure?”

37. Paddleboard

Short for “Stand-Up Paddleboard,” a paddleboard is a long and wide board that is used for standing and paddling on water. It is propelled by a single paddle and can be used for various activities such as surfing, touring, or practicing yoga.

• For instance , “I love taking my paddleboard out to catch some waves.”
• In a conversation about outdoor fitness , someone might say, “I’ve recently started doing SUP yoga on my paddleboard.”
• A person planning a beach vacation might ask , “Are there any good spots for paddleboarding in this area?”

You may also like

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of motorboat

• stinkpot [ slang ]

Examples of motorboat in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motorboat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1890, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near motorboat

Cite this entry.

“Motorboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motorboat. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of motorboat, more from merriam-webster on motorboat.

Nglish: Translation of motorboat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of motorboat for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motorboat

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, more commonly misspelled words, your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, more commonly mispronounced words, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, birds say the darndest things, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 10 scrabble words without any vowels, 12 more bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), games & quizzes.

• Daily Crossword
• Word Puzzle
• Word Finder
• Word of the Day
• Synonym of the Day
• Word of the Year
• Language stories
• All featured
• Gender and sexuality
• All pop culture
• Writing hub
• Grammar essentials
• Commonly confused
• All writing tips
• Pop culture
• Writing tips

Advertisement

[ moh -ter-boht ]

• a boat propelled by an inboard or outboard motor .

verb (used without object)

to motorboat from Hyannis to Martha's Vineyard.

/ ˈməʊtəˌbəʊt /

• any boat powered by a motor

Discover More

Other words from.

• motor·boater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of motorboat 1

Example Sentences

The small motorboat anchors in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.

To picture why this happens, imagine that you are driving a motorboat in the ocean.

Built by Iguana Pro, the 32-foot-long vessel is an amphibious motorboat that can pull itself up on beaches and into hiding.

If its creation had resulted in dozens of easily accessed shady picnic groves instead of a bathtub accessible only by expensive motorboats, we might not be having this discussion in the first place.

He laughs that sailing yacht crew who become motorboat crew are known as “going over to the dark side,” because it’s seen as the easier, more plush option compared to the romance and closer-to-the-waves nature of actual sailing.

Also, later today she's due to go for a ride on a jet powered motorboat - and attend a wine tasting.

“My father called us ‘The Lucky Seven,’ and we had a 24-foot motorboat by that name,” says Mark Shriver, the fourth child.

It is not easy for a common man in Africa to afford a motorboat with an 80-horsepower engine.

No answering response came from the motorboat which drove directly toward the sailboat.

The latest emergency caused Mr. Holloway to divert his attention from the motorboat.

That fellow looks like one of the men who were in the motorboat that struck the Holloway sailboat!

More than ever he was convinced that he had not been mistaken in identifying him as the motorboat operator.

Unable to see many feet ahead of them, the boys lost sight of the raft and the motorboat.

Skibidi, gyatt and Ohio: Learn the meaning, origin behind Gen Alpha's slang

Skibidi toilet, gyatt, Ohio, rizz — what are the kids going on about these days?

Each generation is known for adopting its own set of slang words, thrown around among friends and confusing for anyone of a different age bracket. With the prevalence of social media, new lingo pops up and dies off more quickly than ever before. And to some, slang used by the upcoming generation just sounds like a garble of sounds, rather than an alternative to commonly-used phrases.

To help make sense of it all, the News-Leader compiled a list of 13 slang words commonly used by Generation Alpha, with definitions for the parents, grandparents and other confused folks in their lives.

First, who makes up Generation Alpha?

Move out of the way Gen Z, a new generation is taking over. Generation Alpha, or Gen Alpha, is comprised of those born between 2010 and 2024 — children between infancy and 14 years old. Members of Gen Alpha are traditionally the children of Millennials and younger siblings of Gen Z.

The name Generation Alpha was coined by Mark McCrindle, founder of Australian consultancy firm McCrindle Research. McCrindle claims to have chosen "alpha" for the new generation as it is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.

Part of speech: Verb

Definition: Impressive or outstanding, metaphorically meaning to "devour" a look or moment.

Origin: "Ate" originated in the Black and Latina LGBTQIA+ community, used as a form of admiration and praise. Commonly, "ate" was cast upon performers in drag shows and dance competitions. This phrase was especially common in the ballroom scene , a Black and Latino underground LGBTQIA+ subculture. Much of the modern drag artform pulls inspiration from the ballroom scene.

Use in a sentence: "Jane looked so good in her prom dress. She ate."

Part of speech: Noun

Definition: A state of being, having thoughts or using language impacted by an increase of social media usage; or content that has little to no substantive value and may lead to the metaphorical degradation of the brain.

Origin: "Brain rot" dates back to the early aughts, first appearing on Twitter, now known as X, around 2007, according to Know Your Meme , a database for memes and internet slang.

In June 2007, X user Izzy Neis posted that television shows "based around engineered 'love'" were "brain rot." And a few months later, X user Carrissa posted, "Reading or hanging out online produced brain rot. Making myself read more BOOKS."

Although used in a different context, "brain rot" became more widely used during the 2010s following its use in the video game "Skyrim: Elder Scrolls." In the game, characters can contract a disease called "Brain Rot," in which they lose "magicka," the energy used to cast spells.

More recently, "brain rot" has resurfaced in conjunction with "Skibidi Toilet," a series of videos on YouTube that tells the story of a fictional war between toilets with human heads and humans with electronic-device heads, like radios and surveillance cameras. The series has largely become a self-referential meme; wide popular with Gen Alpha, it has been deemed to cause "brain rot."

Use in a sentence: "If you watch too much 'Skibidi Toilet' on YouTube, you may be subject to brain rot."

Pronunciation: [buh-sin]

Part of speech: Adjective

Definition: Extremely good or excellent

Origin: Bussin' is a part of African-American Vernacular English, or AAVE, which is a variety of English spoken largely by Black Americans. Though bussin' can be used to describe a variety of things, it is most often used to describe good food.

The term was first logged on Urban Dictionary , a crowdsourced English language online dictionary, in December 2017 with the definition, "what you would say if something was really good."

Bussin' later became popular in 2020 on TikTok as part of the "Gripping Foods with Force" trend, according to Know Your Meme. Videos that were part of this trend featured people using their hands to grip — with force — food they believed look delicious, or bussin'.

The term gained even more mainstream popularity in November 2020 when rappers Lil Uzi Vert, Doe Boy and Southside released a song called "Bussin'." A few years later, in 2022, Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby released a song of the same name, "Bussin."

Use in a sentence: "That cashew chicken was so good. It was bussin'."

Pronunciation: [deh-lu-lu]

Definition: "Delulu" is short for "delusional," meaning to hold unrealistic beliefs or standards.

Origin: "Delulu" was first used on the now defunct K-Pop (Korean pop) online forum OneHallyu in April 2014, according to Know Your Meme . A user on the forum said that people who believed two specific artists in the K-Pop community would date were "delulu." While the term was initially used to describe delusional fans of celebrities, it later broadened to mean any type of delusion.

Use in a sentence: "You're delulu if you think any other building in Springfield is taller than Hammons Tower."

Pronunciation: [fan-um]

Definition: Theft of food between friends

Origin: YouTuber Fanum , who has more than 1.6 million subscribers, is responsible for the phrase "fanum tax."

Starting in late 2022, Fanum began to pop into the livestream videos of fellow YouTuber Kai Cenat, who is infamously known for "inciting a riot" in 2023 when he told his fans that he would be giving away free PlayStation 5 consoles in a Manhattan park. When Cenat would be eating on-screen, during his livestreams, Fanum came into the room to eat a bit of Cenat's food. Fanum coined this "fanum tax."

More: YouTuber Kai Cenat faces criminal charges after giveaway spawns out-of-control crowd in NYC

Perhaps Fanum explains it best himself though. In an interview with WIRED , Fanum said:

"Let's say your friend is having a meal. He's having a good meal and you just want a piece of that meal. That's your friend and friends share, right? Get you a little piece of the meal — it's the fanum tax. You just go ahead and (say), 'Let me get a little bit ... 5%, 10% of the meal, maybe 20%, just depending on how you feel that day."

Use in a sentence: "Oh, you've got some Andy's frozen custard? Let me grab a spoonful and we'll call it a fanum tax."

Pronunciation: [gee-ah-t]

Definition: Exclamation of excitement; or a person with a large buttocks

Origin: The use of "gyatt" as an exclamation of excitement originates from AAVE, slang for "goddamn."

On the other hand, the use of "gyatt" to describe a person with a large buttocks is credited to YouTuber YourRAGE , who makes a variety of reaction and skit-style videos. Accounted for earliest in 2021, YourRAGE, who has more than 1.68 million subscribers, began saying, "gyatt" as a reaction to women in his videos, according to the Dictionary.com website . His viewers then began to mimic his behavior at the term crossed over into mainstream culture.

However, in June 2023, YourRAGE posted a YouTube Short video , where he addressed coining the term. He claims that his subscribers began to throw "gyatt" around in his video chats as early as 2020.

"Everybody used to say 'goddamn' or 'gah-lee,' but I said it weird," the YouTuber said in the video. "I'd always say 'gyatt.' I would never say 'goddamn,' and the chat realized that and a way of making fun of me in 2020 they started typing 'gyatt' to mock me."

Though YourRAGE may not have coined the term himself, he is largely associated with it.

Use in a sentence: "Gyatt! Did you see that homerun?" or "Wow, did you see the gyatt on Louie, the Springfield Cardinals' mascot?"

Pronunciation: [me-ew-ing]

Definition: Facial reconstruction technique that involves pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth to change the shape of the jawline.

To try mewing, WebMD recommends the following simple steps:

• Close your lips
• Move your jaw so your front bottom teeth are just behind your front upper teeth
• Flatten your tongue against the roof of your mouth

Origin: While gaining popularity among Gen Alpha today, the concept of mewing actually dates back to the 1970s. According to WebMD , a British orthodontist named John Mew promoted the practice of mewing through what he called "orthotropics," which focuses on jaw posture, with his son Mike Mew. However, the Mews did not come up with the term "mewing." That cropped up more recently.

There is no serious research, according to WebMD , that indicates mewing is an effective way to change the structure of the face. In fact, moving your jaw around over a long period of time can have adverse effects, including the misalignment of teeth, pain or dysfunction at the hinge of the jaw, or loose and chipped teeth.

Use in a sentence: "I mew in my selfies so I look my best."

What's special about Ohio?

Ohio has been in the meme spotlight for several years, but why is the Midwest state the brunt of so many jokes? Avid social media users and members of Gen Alpha don't seem to have a clear answer.

Ohio was first recognized as a meme in 2016, when a photo of a broken bus station marquee that read, "Ohio will be eliminated" was shared on Tumblr, a blog-style social media platform. The photo quickly went viral, with many social media users asking the important question: What has Ohio done? The reason for the bus station marquee message remains unknown.

A few years later, around 2020, another Ohio-centric meme began to circulate the Internet known as, "Wait, it's all Ohio?" The meme , created in Microsoft Paint, features two astronauts floating above Earth. The Earth appears to just contain the state of Ohio. The left-most astronaut poses the question, "Wait, it's all Ohio?" and the right-most astronaut is depicted pointing a gun toward the other answering with, "Always has been." This meme format continues to be recycled, poking fun at different popular topics in pop culture that are "all-consuming."

Most recently, Ohio became popular on TikTok in 2022 with the meme trend known as "Only in Ohio." Videos that are part of this trend feature fictional creatures attacking cities, jokingly proclaiming that such an event could only happen in Ohio, according to Know Your Meme .

Around the same time, a new trend began, known as "Can't even X in Ohio." This trend places simple, day-to-day tasks in the sentence in place of "X," such as "Can't even nap in Ohio" or "Can't even eat a meal in Ohio," according to Know Your Meme . Videos from this trend featured users doing these tasks with related captions.

Pronunciation: [poo-key]

Definition: Nickname for someone who is cute or lovely

Origin: The nickname "pookie" has been around for decades, synonymous with "honey" or "sweetie." But the nickname has gained more traction recently with influencers Campbell and Jett Puckett.

Campbell , who has more than 859,800 followers on TikTok, is known for her videos that feature the couple showing off their outfits before going out to dinner or attending a party. In each of the videos, Jett references his wife as "pookie."

Campbell's most popular video , which boasts more than 18.7 million views on TikTok, features the two showing off "date night" outfits.

"Pookie is looking particularly amazing tonight," Jett exclaims before his wife begins to tell viewers where her outfit and accessories were purchased from.

Use in a sentence: "You look gorgeous tonight, pookie!"

Rizz (or Rizzler)

Definition: Short for "charisma," romantic charm or appeal; someone who has rizz or is particularly alluring.

Origin: In addition to being partly responsible for the phrase, "fanum tax," YouTuber Kai Cenat is behind the popularity of the slang, "rizz." According to the Dictionary website , Cenat began regularly saying "rizz" in his social media videos around 2021. The slang terminology quickly gained traction on social media.

Using in a sentence: "Brad Pitt has rizz."

Sigma (or Sigma Male)

Definition: Successful, popular and highly independent man

Origin: In addition to being the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet, "sigma" has been used to describe successful, independent men for quite a few years. This is in contrast to an alpha male, who is seen as aggressively sociable.

According to the Dictionary website , the term "sigma male" was coined by far-right writer Theodore Robert Beale on his blog in the 2010s. Beale is more commonly known as his alias, Vox Day.

The term gained widespread popularity in 2021, when X user Lily Simpson posted a series of photos, including a book cover and YouTube thumbnail image, related to sigma males. One of the photos was a pyramid graphic that put alpha and sigma males at the top of the "socio sexual hierarchy."

"What the **** is going on with men," Simpson wrote in her post .

Since then, "sigma" has been used more often to mock the "original" definition.

Using in a sentence: "Boomer the Bear is Sigma."

Skibidi (or 'Skibidi Toilet')

Pronunciation: [skeh-bee-dee]

Part of speech: Onomatopoeia 

Definition: There is no one definition for skibidi, it is more of an expression.

Origin: The phrase "skibidi" originates from the song "Give It to Me" by Timbaland. When sped up, the chorus' lyrics, "so give it to me, give it to me" sound similar to "skibidi," according to online news publication Mashable .

As for "Skibidi Toilet," this is the name of a popular YouTube series created by YouTuber DaFuq!?Boom! , who has more than 41.7 million subscribers. The series follows the story of a fictional war between toilets with human heads and humans with electronic-device heads, like radios and surveillance cameras. As of Thursday, there were 73 episodes of "Skibidi Toilet."

Touching Grass

Definition: Going outside, enjoying nature

Origin: The exact origin of the phrase "touching grass" is unknown, but it was used as an alterative to "going outside" as early as 2015, per posts made on X, according to Know Your Meme . Over the years, the phrase has grown in popularity among younger generations.

Use in a sentence: "I'm stepping away from my computer to go touch grass for a bit."

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at [email protected] .

Preppy skincare and skibidi Ohio rizz? How slang changes over generations of Our Best Life

• Updated: Jun. 14, 2024, 10:11 a.m. |
• Published: Jun. 14, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

To me, J. Crew is the epitome of preppy. But to my daughter, Nirvana is. Because slang changes. Laura Johnston

• Laura Johnston, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – According to tweens, preppy has a new meaning.

Preppy no longer refers to the G.H. Bass Bucks, penny loafers or V-neck tennis sweaters I wore with matching turtlenecks in middle school.

Instead, preppy means skincare, Starbucks, Stanleys and Lululemon, my 11-year-old daughter informed me.

“I think you mean basic,” I replied, sure the skincare-and-Stanley trend jibed with Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Ugg boots.

“Yeah,” she said. “A basic 12-year-old girl is preppy.”

Wait, what?

I understand that every generation has its own slang and that the English language is constantly evolving. (Even if it galls me to hear people confusing words like “anxious” and “eager.”) I like learning new words from my kids and testing them out in what I’m sure they consider embarrassing conversations. No cap!

But how dare today’s youth try to change the meaning of a style that has existed for more than a century? How on earth is a kid in a Nirvana T-shirt and Nike sweats defined as preppy?

I am preppy: in the summer in my Lilly Pulitzer sundresses and at Christmas in my mishmash of Stuart tartan. I wear button-downs beneath sweatshirts, for goodness sake. My daughter, in her giant sweatshirts, is not what I consider preppy.

Preppy stems from the fashion of men’s college preparatory schools, beginning at the turn of the 20th century. The look – originally known as Ivy style – was ubiquitous by the 1950s. The girls borrowed looks from the boys: button-downs and blazers, polo shirts and popped collars.

“The Official Preppy Handbook” was published in 1980, kicking off the decade of mass market prep, with its embroidered iconography: a polo player for Polo Ralph Lauren, a crocodile for Lacoste. J. Crew was established in 1983, a name that evoked rowing teams at elite East Coast colleges, I learned as I devoured Maggie Bullock’s book “The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J. Crew.”

Growing up, we had no J. Crew in Akron. But in middle school, the must-have accessory was a navy plastic drawstring Gap bag, to carry your gym clothes. I bought my first shirt with babysitting money, just to have that bag.

I remember the first time I went to Tower City Center with my mom and sister, marveling at the two-story J. Crew, as well as the first Abercrombie & Fitch I ever saw, with its maroon-and-hunter-green carpet. That was in the mid-90s, back in “the olden days,” as my daughter would say. Back when we wore our pocket tees oversized.

At Miami University, we called our school J. Crew U. My whole dorm pored over gorgeous spreads of beautiful people on sailboats and piles of colorful cashmere cardigans.

That was the tail end of the ‘90s, the decade of “As if?” and “My bad” from “Clueless, ” Will Smith’s coinage of “jiggy,” plus “phat” and “da bomb.” Remember “talk to the hand?” Or “Whazzup?” with the annoying Budweiser commercial?

The 2000s brought us terms like “sweet,” with its extended “eee” sound to mean cooler than cool. “Rents” for parents, “random” and “sketch” for something off.

I could keep up with those.

Then came my kids’ Generation Z and Alpha, and words like “cap,” which means, according to my 13-year-old son, “you’re lying.” “No cap,” then, means, to circle it back to ‘90s slang, “no duh.” (As an aside, why do “duh” and “no duh” mean the same thing?)

I was taken aback when I first heard “rizz,” but Oxford University Press made “rizz″ its word of the year in 2023. Short for charisma, the word describes the ability to attract another person. It beat out “Swiftie.” That has since evolved into “Ohio rizz,” which means a weird kind of charisma.

Gee, thanks, youth of the Internet.

“Gyatt” means an attractive big butt. “Skibidi” means someone evil. I think. It’s hard for my 13-year-old to explain some of these to me. “Vibe” is a feeling, though I bet you could figure that out on your own. “Sus” is suspicious. “To glaze” means to suck up. A “sigma” is a popular, successful and humble person. (compared to an alpha male). Although “What the sigma?” is just a Sponge Bob meme that doesn’t really mean anything.

“Slay queen” is being used as the Gen Alpha version of “You go, girl!” (Cringe.) But my daughter hates when I say it. “

Acoustic” is an insult, used the way our generation might have once called someone “special.” Because, unfortunately, whether it’s the ‘90s or now, kids can be cruel.

Where do all these words come from?

Many are grassroots, spread from one person or one community to all of pop culture – faster now, through the internet, social media and influencers. Some have jumped from American subcultures, including the LGBTQ+ community and Black Americans , to middle-school hallways.

The point of slang is to be egalitarian.

That’s the origin of preppy, too, a democratic take on upper-crust leisure wear and sports gear, from sailing to rugby. Is leisure wear, then, the olden-day version of athleisure? If so, maybe the extension of preppy to Lululemon work-out gear does make some sort of sense?

Slang is the speech of young people, clearly, and I can no longer consider myself young.

I’m happy to keep my 44-year-old version of preppy, with my never-going-out-of-style blue-and-white stripes. Although, of course, this is 2024; I too wear leggings.

Cleveland.com content director Laura Johnston writes weekly about life in her 40s in the column, Our Best Life. Subscribe to the newsletter to get the column delivered to your inbox Friday mornings. Or find her on Instagram @ourbestlifecle.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Who Is a ‘Rodent Man’?

A new term has cropped up to describe the faces of certain Hollywood actors, prompting many conversations — especially among the Styles team.

By The Styles Desk

“Rodent Men”: What are they? Tiny men? Men who eat garbage? Some kind of furry science experiment gone wrong?

According to the tabloids, they’re actually the most physically desirable thing a man can be at this particularly disorienting moment in American history. Exemplified by the faces of actors like “The Bear”’s Jeremy Allen White and “Challengers” leads Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor; as well as the 1975 band member Matty Healy and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, hot “Rodent Men” are a loose category that seems mostly to refer to men who look a bit like mice or rats. Several Styles staffers convened to discuss the origins of the “Rodent Man,” the boundaries of the type and why people are attracted to ratlike men.

Joseph Bernstein First, can we define a “Rodent Man”? I’m having a little trouble understanding who qualifies.

Gina Cherelus An unconventional mousy man with a toothy smile, and instead of a chiseled face like Brad Pitt or Chris Hemsworth, it’s more pointy. It’s important for their faces to be angular, that’s the dead giveaway. That and big ears. They come off as edgy and elusive.

JB That’s interesting. But rodents are a much broader group than just mice, right? Wikipedia tells me rodents include everything from beavers to capybara.

Minju Pak I don’t agree with some of the people being discussed online as Rodent Men, it’s sort of fanning out too wide. Johnny Depp, Kieran Culkin? Those are a stretch.

GC Jesse Plemons might be a beaver type. But I agree Minju, everyone is reaching now (maybe me included).

MP Can any man be a Rodent Man?

Alex Vadukul The term itself was generated around conversation about “Challengers” co-stars, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, who the internet decided look like (hot?) humanoid Stuart Littles. But then a piece in Dazed by Serena Smith dialed into what it might really mean. She writes that “Rodent handsome men are usually more svelte than muscular, with more pinched, angular features.” And importantly she notes: “They’re often not conventionally handsome.” That last line, to me, is what has prompted more discussion.

GC It’s the fact that you had two unconventionally handsome men dripping with sex appeal. But the tides started to change when Adam Driver hit the scene over a decade ago.

JB If I may, as a self-proclaimed Rodent Man, I think the important foundational figure here is Dustin Hoffman, who became famous for, among other things, playing a morally dubious character literally named “ Ratso” Rizzo in “Midnight Cowboy .”

MP Nick Kroll is a Rodent Man.

GC Absolutely.

MP This is a great game.

AV Unsung Rodent Men who have been left out of the viral internet discourse, perhaps, include Willem Dafoe and Crispin Glover.

JB John Cazale?

JB And Paul Giamatti?

GC People are saying Timothée Chalamet is a Rodent Man.

JB I have to say, I don’t really see it with Chalamet. To me, he looks feline — and cats are the enemies of rodents! May I ask, what does it mean that some of the people who desire men are desiring men who look like rodents at this particular moment.

GC Yes, let’s talk about why some people find this attractive. I think there’s something about them not being stereotypically masculine that might make women feel safe.

Stella Bugbee Piping in here with a pretentious theory: Lusting after so-called Rodent Men (a.k.a., not perfect beefcakes) is about a rejection of A.I.

GC Yes, and years of Facetuning and Snapchat filters.

SB Yes! If we are offered fake perfection we will yearn for human imperfections. We want to know that the people we find hot have blood in their veins and were the product of two humans combining their genes. We want to see the vulnerability of an asymmetrical face.

JB Is this related to “ugly hot”?

SB Related but not the same — in the sense that in both cases it’s an acknowledgment of a powerful sex appeal. But I think finding someone ugly-hot is about having a counterintuitive take, like you are cool for finding an “ugly” person hot when others don’t.

MP These Rodent Men are hot.

GC Most of the famous Rodent Men we are highlighting also have all of their real teeth.

SB Exactly! We want people to look real and we’ve lost touch with that, with all of the things people do to change their appearance.

JB A lot of the men being claimed as rodents are Italian, Jewish and Irish. Sort of latecomers to whiteness.

MP Yes. What about racially diverse Rodent Men? I think Simu Liu is rodentlike.

GC Rami Malek is definitely a Rodent Man. Jerrod Carmichael maybe? I do wonder, if asked during an interview, how would these men respond to this title being thrown around?

AV Is there also a throwback, or punk and retro component to this somehow? From Josh O’Connor to Matty Healy to Adam Driver, they all have a kind of raw masculinity that was celebrated back in the dawn of gritty rock stars and guitar gods. Was Mick Jagger a Rodent Man?

Stella Bugbee No! But Keith Richards is.

GC So is being called a rat face a compliment now? I don’t know if this trend has that kind of power. I’m imagining myself telling a man at a bar that I think he’s so handsome and “ratlike.” I don’t know if it’ll go over well.

MP It’s a moment and it will pass quickly.

JB Some of us who have been described — disparagingly — as ratlike, are finding this all a little hard to take.

MP In what way, Joe?

JB I told my wife that she’s lucky because she’s married to a Rodent Man and she got upset.

GC There’s no other way to react to that Joe. It’s similar to how a year ago we were praising men for being “medium ugly.”

AV I’m curious how viral terms that reclaim traits that might traditionally be considered less desirable — from “Dad Bod” to “Short King” — affect folks who aren’t Hollywood famous and celebrated?

JB Yeah — I will say Alex, once in a while a “Not Brad Pitt” guy comes along and gets popular which helps the rest of us out by expanding the standards of attractiveness for men. I dined out on Seth Cohen for much of my early 20s.

AV A “Not Brad Pitt” guy. Joe, I think a new term has been coined.

JB He makes everyone look like a rodent.

Gina Cherelus , Joseph Bernstein , Alex Vadukul , Minju Pak and Stella Bugbee contributed reporting.

An earlier version of this article misstated the surname of an actor. He is Simu Liu, not Lee.

How we handle corrections

Explore Our Style Coverage

The latest in fashion, trends, love and more..

USA Olympic Uniforms: What does it mean to dress to represent the United States? As far as Ralph Lauren is concerned, it appears to mean a navy blazer .

Piece of Me: R.O. Kwon’s jade rings , passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors.

Dries Van Noten Says Goodbye: In an exclusive interview, the designer reveals why he is retiring , his fears and why fashion is “an addiction.”

Behind the Crown: When Miss USA and Miss Teen USA quit, it rocked the pageant world. But those inside the organization weren’t so surprised .

Living Out Loud:  For people bothered by the liberal use of speakerphones, the public sphere can be a circle of hell. Here’s a closer look at the etiquette debate .

• Add a definition
• User settings

Motorboarding

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of motorboat in English

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

• cabin cruiser
• dragon boat
• rubber dinghy
• While you can take a motorboat, many people prefer to take the original Venetian taxi, the famous gondola.  

motorboat | American Dictionary

Examples of motorboat, translations of motorboat.

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

(especially of earth or crops) dried out because of too much heat and not enough rain

Fakes and forgeries (Things that are not what they seem to be)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• English    Noun
• American    Noun
• Translations
• All translations

To add motorboat to a word list please sign up or log in.

Add motorboat to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

Arrow McLaren signs Nolan Siegel to replace Theo Pourchaire starting at Laguna Seca

The ripple effects from Alex Palou's change of heart less than 10 months ago continue.

In the wake of the two-time IndyCar champion turning his back on a multi-year deal he signed in October 2022 with McLaren Racing, the team has now signed its fourth driver to try and replace him. One-time Indy NXT title favorite Nolan Siegel, who two days ago won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in class for McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown's United Autosport outfit, will join Arrow McLaren on a multi-year deal, starting this weekend at Laguna Seca, replacing Théo Pourchaire and set to man the ride in "2025 and beyond."

Less than two months ago, Pourchaire had been unveiled as the team's choice to fill the No. 6 following the Indianapolis 500 for the remainder of 2024. As recently as the Road America weekend, the team was understood to have been seriously considering him or fellow 2024 stand-in Callum Ilott to take over the No. 6 Chevy. Siegel had long been on the team's radar, but a timeline to make a decision on him ramped up in recent weeks.

Siegel pulled out of the Road America Indy NXT round to fill-in at Juncos Hollinger Racing during Agustin Canapino's team-mandated "leave of absence." With his decision not to keep his realistic Indy NXT title hopes intact, it seemed Siegel could land the vacant No. 78 Chevy to finish out the 2024 season. But Canapino made amends with JHR, while the young American driver wowed Brown with his driving skills and impeccable feedback in the cockpit. All the while, Siegel's willingness take himself out of contention for the Indy NXT championship made it clear to Arrow McLaren that, if Siegel was a driver they wanted to consider, they were going to have to move much faster than planned.

Things moved quickly over the last week-plus, with Pourchaire posting on social media as recently as Monday morning about his excitement to run the famed Laguna Seca track. Arrow McLaren sporting director Tony Kanaan called Pourchaire on Tuesday morning to deliver the news.

“We’ve been working through musical chairs all season, and ultimately, making this change to Nolan now that he’s available gives us the chance to build a foundation for the future," team principal Gavin Ward said in the team release. "He is a young, talented driver with an immense amount of experience at this stage of his career and we’re excited to continue on the upward journey together."

Arrow McLaren committed last September to young driver David Malukas, who two years into his IndyCar career had amassed a pair of podiums with Dale Coyne Racing. Needing to make a quick pivot once Palou breached his multi-year deal to stay at Chip Ganassi Racing, Malukas was largely seen as the best driver on the market not under contract.

Then, in mid-February, Malukas crashed his mountain bike, dislocating his left wrist and tearing tendons -- requiring surgery. But what doctors expected to be a six-week recovery took four months before he was ultimately cleared days ago to race at Laguna Seca for his new home at Meyer Shank Racing. In the place of Malukas, Arrow McLaren initially leaned on ex-JHR driver Callum Ilott through a handful of tests and the season's first two weekends and the 500. But when Ilott's World Endurance Championship slate prevented him from manning the No. 6 for the rest of the season, Arrow McLaren looked to 2023 Formula 2 champ Pourchaire, who at the time was racing in Super Formula.

After two initial runs at Long Beach and Barber, the team signed him to take over the car for the rest of the year after the 500.

Siegel, on the other hand, began 2024 planning to run four IndyCar -- and three points-paying races -- with Dale Coyne Racing. The IndyCar races had been selected so as not to overlap with his Indy NXT schedule, while also allowing him to contend for IndyCar Rookie of the Year honors in 2025. He won the season-opener at St. Pete and finished runner-up to title rival Jacob Abel in the next two rounds, but leading into Road America, he'd fallen to 3rd in the standings, 44 points back, before the chaotic last two weeks significantly altered and sped up the trajectory of his future.

You're 'fixin' to'? And where's 'the city'? Decoding Oklahoma slang

If you're new to Oklahoma, you might be wondering why everyone says they're "fixin' to" do something when it doesn't seem like they're talking about making repairs.

Or maybe you're confused because everyone says "the city" even though Oklahoma has tons of cities.

Here's a guide to popular slang in Oklahoma.

What does 'fixin' to' mean?

In Oklahoma, "fixin to" usually doesn't pertain to someone actually making a repair on something.

Instead, if someone says they're "fixing to" do something, this means they're about to do something.

For example, if you hear an Oklahoma say, "I'm fixin' to go to Homeland." This means they're about to go to Homeland.

What is 'the city' in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has tons of cities, like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Edmond, just to name a few.

However, if you hear someone in Oklahoma say they're going to the city, they probably mean that they're going to Oklahoma City even if you live closer to another major city in the state.

If an Oklahoman says, "I'm fixin' to go to the city," this means they're about to go to the city, and you might have just heard the most Oklahoman sentence of all time.

What's an 'Okie'?

In modern times, when someone refers to themselves or someone else as an "Okie" , they're usually describing that person as being from Oklahoma.

The term used to describe migrant workers from Oklahoma in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl when Oklahomans accounted for about 20% of the migration to California.

They were all tagged as "Okies" and California lawmakers responded with an Anti-Okie law aimed at stopping the flow.

What does "dadgum" mean?

"Dadgum" is a mild alternative to harsher curse words when someone's annoyed or angry.

A variation of "dadgum" is "dadgummit" which is similar to "Goddammit".

In Oklahoma, you might hear someone yell "Dadgummit!" at their television when an Oklahoma Sooners quarterback is intercepted by a Texas Longhorn.

What's a 'twister'?

The word "twister" is an informal alternative to the word "tornado".

The word does not refer to the children's game "Twister".

If an Oklahoman tells you, "There's a twister outside," you should probably seek shelter from an approaching tornado.

What does 'y'all"?

Oklahomans, along with folks in other Southern states, love to use the word "y'all" when referring to a group of people.

The word means "you all," and you might even hear an Oklahoman say, "All y'all." This means "All of y'all".

You might hear a mom in Oklahoma tell her kids, "Y'all come inside," when it's time for dinner.

What does 'big ol' mean?

Oklahomans have their own measurement term known as "big ol'".

The term is used as an adjective to describe a rather large item.

For example, if you hear a local angler say, "I caught a big ol' catfish this weekend," they probably caught a massive mud cat, and chances are they did it with their bare hands.

Subscribe or renew today

Every print subscription comes with full digital access

Science News

Long covid finally gets a universal definition.

The new description includes more than 200 symptoms and doesn’t put limits on when they start

Long COVID affects millions of Americans of almost all ages, but there has been no standard definition for the condition until now.

pilli/Getty Images Plus

Share this:

By Tina Hesman Saey

June 12, 2024 at 9:00 am

A sweeping new definition of long COVID could help affected people get recognition of their condition and improve diagnosis and treatment.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine announced the definition for long COVID June 11.

Previous definitions of long COVID have been all over the map , each with its own set of accepted symptoms, timelines and requirements for proof of infection ( SN: 7/29/22 ).

That lack of standardization “left many patients in the lurch without clear ability to be recognized for the condition that they had, with difficulty explaining to family and even to their caregivers,” says Harvey Fineberg, a public health expert who chaired the committee that drafted the definition. “We heard from literally hundreds of people experiencing long COVID about the challenges that they had in being heard, in gaining access to care and obtaining the care they needed.”

More than 1,300 people contributed to the definition . The committee decided to adopt the patients’ own term “long COVID” instead of more medical terms such as “post-acute sequelae of COVID-19” that have also been used to describe the long-term condition. Adoption of the name the patients advocated for gives validation to everyone with the condition who has been struggling, sometimes for years, to have their experience acknowledged, says Daria Oller, a physical therapist in New Jersey who developed long COVID in 2020. “Now, people are trying to not use the term long COVID, and all of us, patients from the first wave, are fighting. We were ignored. That’s ours. We named it.”

The committee chose to go with the name because it’s simple, familiar and easy to communicate, Fineberg said during a webinar introducing the definition. 

No one knows exactly how many people have long COVID, but a recent survey found that more than 17 percent of adults in the United States have experienced the condition. While the National Academies don’t have regulatory or legal power to enforce adoption of the definition, the respected body of scientific experts’ recommendations are often used in making regulatory decisions, determining medical and scientific policies and crafting laws.

Here’s what to know about the long COVID definition.

What is long COVID?

It’s a medical condition that belongs to a family of chronic conditions that kick in after infections with viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. That includes chronic health problems such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Lyme-associated chronic illnesses.

According to the National Academies’ definition, long COVID is a medical condition that persists for at least three months after an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Long COVID can affect any organ or system in the body. People may have any of more than 200 symptoms, which may include difficulty breathing, brain fog , blood clots , dizziness, extreme fatigue after exercising, loss of taste or smell, fast heart rate, diarrhea, constipation, diabetes and autoimmune diseases such as lupus ( SN: 2/2/22 ; SN: 8/21/23 ; SN: 1/4/22 ). Those symptoms can appear alone or in multiple combinations, can be continuous, get progressively worse or have bouts in which the patient gets better and then worse again.

Chronic symptoms can affect people who originally had mild to severe COVID and can even strike people who didn’t have any symptoms at all from their original infection. For that reason, the committee that crafted the Academies’ definition says that people don’t need to have had a positive COVID test to be diagnosed with long COVID.

The condition can strike adults and children and can start weeks or months after seeming recovery from the initial infection. The committee didn’t put an upper limit on how long after getting the original illness that long COVID could start.

There are no blood tests or biomarkers that doctors can use to reliably diagnose long COVID right now. The report calls for continued research to find such diagnostic tools.

This definition follows a June 5 report that the Social Security Administration asked the National Academies to prepare. That report similarly found that long COVID can have debilitating symptoms that can affect people’s physical function, quality of life and their ability to work or perform in school for years.

Why is the definition so broad?

The definition is “intentionally inclusive,” the committee says.

“We wanted to be sure that long COVID was not regarded as a diagnosis of exclusion,” says Fineberg, who is president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, based in Palo Alto, Calif. Everyone with lingering effects from a coronavirus infection should fall under the broad umbrella erected by the new definition. That means some people who have long-term health problems caused by a different infectious disease or other cause might be mistakenly diagnosed with long COVID, Fineberg admits.

That big-tent approach is essential for health equity, says committee member Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The committee wanted to make sure that people who don’t have access to testing — because tests weren’t available early on and free testing has ended now — or who got a false negative test or had asymptomatic infections could still be included in the definition. 

“I think they got it right in the sense that they didn’t leave anybody out,” says Ziyad Al-Aly, head of research at the VA Saint Louis Health Care System. Al-Aly was one of the independent experts who reviewed the report.

Will the definition change?

Yes. The report calls for revision of the definition in no more than three years and possibly sooner if new science warrants it.

“We’re very mindful that the definition is only good as far as science can take us at this time,” Fineberg says.

What will the definition mean for the health care for people with long COVID?

Having “the gravitas of the National Academy of Medicine behind” the definition “will be seen by patients and patients advocates as legitimizing the illness which they have been complaining about,” says Al-Aly. “There’s a lot of gaslighting by physicians and by providers, and by the community [and] our society at large.”

Some people have dismissed the condition as being a mental health disorder, but plenty of research has established that there are widespread biological changes, Verduzco-Gutierrez says. The definition “makes it clear that long COVID is a physical health condition.”

Not requiring a positive test to be diagnosed with long COVID “is huge” for Oller, who has no proof that she was infected with SARS-CoV-2 in early 2020. “We couldn’t get tested. There were long lines, and you needed symptoms that I didn’t have.”

Before COVID, Oller was a runner and dancer. After, she had difficulty breathing and pains in her chest, which she now thinks may have been caused by microclots in her lungs. She’s had a battery of health problems that have persisted. Though many symptoms have improved, they haven’t all gone away, and Oller has accepted that she may be dealing some unwanted aftereffects of COVID-19 for life. Early on, she had no name for what she was experiencing and encountered much skepticism that anything was actually wrong with her, even from other medical professionals.

Oller is a founding member of long COVID Physio , an international peer group of people with long COVID and their allies. She was not involved in the National Academies’ report but welcomes the broad definition.

It will be something patients can take to their doctors to bolster their claims, Oller says. She understands some of the difficulties clinicians have with diagnosing long COVID. “It’s hard because it challenges a lot of our biases,” she says. “Exercise makes us worse, trying harder makes us worse. … It’s easier to blame the patient and be like, ‘Oh, you’re not trying. You’re lazy. You just want to get on disability. It’s in your head.’ It’s easier to just send them on that route than to read through all the literature.”

Over time, Oller says, the definition may be refined to include subtypes of long COVID, much the way cancer is an overarching definition of runaway cell growth but is divided by where the cancer occurs and the mutations that cause it. But for now, she says, starting out broad will allow people whose symptoms don’t “fit into a nice little package” to have their condition recognized and acknowledged.

More Stories from Science News on Health & Medicine

AI could take medical imaging to the next level 

A malaria drug could be used to treat PCOS, a common hormone disorder

Gen X has higher cancer rates than their baby boomer parents

Can humans get chronic wasting disease from deer?

Wildfire smoke may cause tens of thousands of premature deaths

Bird flu can infect cats. What does that mean for their people?

Privacy remains an issue with several women’s health apps

Malnutrition’s effects on the body don’t end when food arrives

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.

Not a subscriber? Become one now .