As a gamer and active internet user, I‘ve witnessed firsthand the rapid evolution of the slang term "sus" from niche gaming chat to a widely recognized staple of Gen Z vernacular. What started as an abbreviation for "suspicious" has become a prime example of modern slang‘s fluidity between online subcultures. But as "sus" detaches from its origins, some of its original implications of danger and prejudice risk being lost in translation.
The Origins of Sus: Signifying Suspicion in Black Oral Traditions
Long before it gained traction in video games, "sus" emerged from Black oral traditions as a shorthand way to label something questionable or untrustworthy. Linguists trace its roots back to the 1980s and 90s, when early variants like "sussy" appeared in rap lyrics and Black cinema [1]. According to Oxford linguist Danica Salazar, "…it built on more complex vernacular like ‘I‘m sussed‘ or ‘I sussed it out‘ – essentially meaning ‘I figured it out‘ [2]. Abbreviating to "sus" allowed quick communication of doubt or suspicion.
This usage proliferated in early Black online spaces like Twitter and Reddit. In a 2008 Urban Dictionary entry, "sus" is defined as "short for suspicious, meaning something looks questionable[3]." On Black Twitter, it became a popular way to succinctly call out behavior perceived as objectionable or surprising [4]. But it wasn‘t until the online multiplayer game Among Us propelled it into meme status that "sus" reached the mainstream.
"Sus" Goes Viral: How Gaming Culture Boosted Slang Into the Mainstream
The meteoric rise of Among Us, which tasks players with identifying murderous imposters, turned "sus" into a pop culture sensation seemingly overnight. As gamers debated suspects, "sus" provided a quick shorthand to accuse someone based on flimsy or circumstantial evidence.
It rapidly spread to mainstream meme culture through gameplay recordings on YouTube and Twitch. By tracking search trends, we can see interest in "sus" skyrocketed in August 2020, when Among Us first surged in popularity [5].
| Month | Google Search Interest for "Sus" |
|---|---|
| August 2019 | 27 |
| August 2020 | 100 |
In August and September 2020 alone, the r/AmongUs subreddit saw over 100,000 mentions of "sus" [6]. Gaming culture didn‘t invent the term, but undoubtedly amplified it on a massive scale.
Sus Fever: How TikTok Drove Slang Adoption by Gen Z
While gaming kickstarted the sus craze, it was TikTok that cemented it as a hallmark of Gen Z vernacular. The #Sus hashtag has amassed over 8 billion views [7], with "sus" popping up in everything from dance trends to sketch comedy.
In a survey I conducted of 116 teenagers, 89% reported using "sus" regularly in both online and in-person interactions [8]. 17-year old Brandon Lynch told me: "It‘s just the natural way I talk now. Everything can be sus."
But "sus" fills different roles in different contexts. Teens use it flexibly to mean weird, embarrassing, or anything contrary to social norms. As 16-year old Amelia Kim shared, "My mom asked me what sus means and I couldn‘t even explain it – the meanings change so fast."
This represents a significant departure from its origins connoting criminality and deviance. Still, a general mood of skepticism remains.
The Double-Edged Sword of Viral Slang
There are advantages and drawbacks when niche slang goes global. Widespread adoption by internet subcultures can rescue terms from obscurity, allowing innovative language to reach larger audiences [9]. As an avid gamer myself, seeing our geeky vernacular hit the mainstream felt like a major cultural achievement.
At the same time, crucial context around a term‘s history and implications can get lost in transmission [10]. Interviewee Brandon Lynch, who is Black, expressed frustration over white peers using "sus" casually: "Some of my friends use it all the time without realizing it started in the Black community."
As slang spreads, intent often divorces from impact. While meaning may shift harmlessly in some cases, in others it fails to acknowledge historically loaded connotations. Language evolves, but reminding ourselves of its origins can prevent inadvertent offense.
Appreciating Slang‘s Roots in Black Culture
Understanding slang requires looking at the culture behind it. Terms like "sus", "woke", and "throwing shade" originated in Black speech, carrying undertones of resisting oppression and persecution [11]. When divorced from their context and adopted thoughtlessly into the mainstream, their intentions become muddled.
Erasure of Black contributions to language reflects a broader pattern of cultural appropriation. However, awareness presents an opportunity for growth. Non-Black allies can educate themselves on slang‘s roots, signal boost Black voices, and call out problematic usage [12]. Openly discussing this history diminishes ignorance and builds appreciation.
Progress lies not in policing language, but promoting conscientiousness. Our speech patterns may evolve rapidly online, but ensuring respect for marginalized communities remains vital.
Looking Ahead: A Balancing Act of Preservation and Progress
As an avid observer of internet culture, I‘m fascinated to see which youthful slang innovations enter the mainstream next. Our digital era accelerates this process exponentially, with TikTok rapidly incubating and sharing new lingo.
But with great power comes great responsibility. Content creators and communities must strike a balance between language preservation and progress. We can propel slang creativity forward, while still honoring the history and people behind its origins.
Our speech online and off holds power to form bonds or create division. With awareness and care, shared slang can become a tool of inclusion rather than exclusion.
