slay
To do something impressively well or look exceptionally good.
By Cal Hewitt, Founder at Web Leveling · Researched from public sources · ·
What it actually means
In current praise slang, slay celebrates a performance, look, skill, or confident execution. The term is often enthusiastic and can be sincere or playfully exaggerated. Its contemporary compliment sense is strongly associated with Black, Latinx, queer ballroom culture, where slaying described a flawless look, attitude, or performance.
See the quick definition in the slay dictionary entry.
Where it came from
The literal verb slay is much older, and Dictionary.com notes evidence of fashionable slang use in the 1800s. The meaning central to current pop-culture praise is documented in Black, Latinx, queer ball culture of the 1970s and 1980s, where slaying referred to a look, makeup, dance, and attitude being flawless. No single individual can credibly be named as the coiner.
No single person is credited, the origin is well-documented.
Where it's popular
Black and Latinx queer ballroom culture, drag performance spaces, fashion and beauty talk, then broad English-language social media.
The origin is community-based, not a claim about national prevalence.
How it caught on
- 1800sDictionary.com notes evidence of slang slay for looking attractively fashionable.
- 1970s to 1980sBlack and Latinx queer ballroom culture used slaying for a flawless outfit, makeup, dance, and attitude.
- 1990Paris Is Burning brought ballroom culture to a far wider audience.
- 2010sSocial media and pop culture extended slay as mainstream praise while its ballroom roots remained central.
How to use it
“You slayed that presentation.”
Praising an impressive performance.
“The styling is perfect. She slayed.”
Complimenting a look or creative execution.
Common mix-ups
Slay is not a new Gen Z invention and, in praise slang, it is not literal violence. Treating it as generic internet language without its Black and Latinx queer ballroom history erases the community that shaped its current meaning.
Do you actually know it?
Did you slay the history?
0/31. What does slay usually praise in current slang?
2. Which community is central to slay’s contemporary praise sense?
3. What did slaying describe in ballroom culture?
Related slang
Questions people ask
What does slay mean in slang?
It means to perform, look, or execute something exceptionally well.
Where did the modern slang use of slay come from?
Its current praise sense is strongly associated with Black and Latinx queer ballroom culture in the 1970s and 1980s.
Is slay literal in phrases like you slayed that?
No. In this context it is metaphorical praise for an impressive performance or look.
The word’s ballroom meaning bundled style, makeup, movement, and attitude into one verdict: flawless.
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