As someone with an active presence on Twitter, I've noticed a new slang term emerging in recent months: 'sus'.
At first, I found the proliferation of 'sus' on my timeline perplexing.
What did it mean and why was everyone using it? With some digging, I discovered that 'sus' is an abbreviation for 'suspicious' or 'suspect'.
Users deploy 'sus' on Twitter to indicate that something seems questionable, shady or untrustworthy.
The rise of 'sus' is a reflection of the times we live in and the skepticism that pervades online discourse.
In this article, I'll explore the origins of 'sus', how it's being used on Twitter, and why it may be sticking around as a popular slang term.
The Origins of "Sus"
The term “sus” originated as an abbreviation for “suspicious” on the social media platform Twitter.
Users began employing the slang term on Twitter around 2017 to concisely express doubt or distrust in a person, statement or situation.
Origins in Among Us
The popular video game Among Us helped to popularize the term “sus”.
In the game, players work together to identify an “imposter” in their group.
Players would call out suspicious behavior from other characters in the game by saying someone was “acting sus”.
This quickly translated to real-world situations on Twitter, where people label dubious claims, shady actions or questionable behavior as “sus”.
How People Use “Sus” on Twitter
On Twitter, the word “sus” is used in a few common ways:
-
To express skepticism about a dubious statement, rumor or claim that seems implausible or lacks evidence.
For example, “This new ‘study’ seems sus to me.” -
To call out behavior or actions from a person, group or company that appear shady, unethical or deceitful.
For instance, “The way that company rapidly changed their policy seems pretty sus.” -
To humorously point out something that is mildly questionable, strange or peculiar in an exaggerated, ironic manner.
For example, “My dog giving me the side eye right now...sus.”
How "Sus" Became Popular on Twitter
As an avid Twitter user, I have noticed the rise in popularity of the word “sus” on the platform recently.
“Sus” is a slang abbreviation of “suspicious” that is used to convey distrust or doubt in someone or something.
The Origin of “Sus”
The earliest known use of “sus” dates back to 1956, but it gained mainstream popularity in the 1990s.
The word became common in hip hop culture and was used to express suspicion of someone’s behavior or motives.
This slang term has now permeated into popular youth culture and daily conversation.
The Growth of “Sus” on Social Media
Over the last several years, “sus” has become increasingly popular on social media platforms, especially Twitter.
People will tweet “sus” along with an emoji like the magnifying glass 🔍 or thinking face 🤔 to express skepticism or imply that something seems questionable or shady.
The hashtag sus is also frequently used and has over 200 million mentions on Twitter.
“Sus” adds a casual and ironic element to tweets and allows people to succinctly convey doubt or distrust in a lighthearted, amusing way.
The word’s popularity on Twitter also demonstrates how slang terms that originate in certain subcultures can ultimately become mainstream through the influence of social media.
While “sus” may eventually fall out of favor, its widespread use on Twitter has cemented its status as a memorable bit of internet vernacular.
Overall, the rise of “sus” on Twitter provides an interesting case study in how modern slang emerges and spreads in the digital age.
This simple word has become a popular way for people to share and relate over feelings of skepticism and suspicion on social media.
What Does "Sus" Mean on Twitter?
As an avid Twitter user, I've noticed the slang term "sus" being used more and more on the platform recently.
"Sus" is an abbreviation of the word "suspicious" used to describe someone or something that seems questionable, shady, or untrustworthy.
Origins of the Slang Term
The term "sus" originated in the early 2010s.
It started as African-American slang but has since become popular in mainstream youth culture and on social media.
"Sus" is often used when someone's words, actions or behavior seem deceitful, strange or off in some way.
On Twitter, people will call out tweets, comments, photos or entire accounts as "sus" to cast doubt on them or suggest they seem fake or misleading.
How People Use "Sus" on Twitter
Twitter users deploy the term "sus" in a few common ways:
-
To call out questionable tweets, photos or accounts that seem potentially fake or misleading.
For example, "That viral tweet going around seems sus to me." -
To express skepticism or distrust in what someone else has said or claimed.
For example, "IDK, Tom's excuse for missing the party seems sus." -
As a ironic or comedic way to jokingly accuse someone or something of being suspicious or untrustworthy.
For example, "My dog giving me the sad eyes for more treats? Sus." -
As a reply to a tweet to convey the tweeter's suspicion or disbelief in the content or claim being made.
For example, someone tweets: "I just won $10,000 in the lottery!" and a replier tweets: "Sus."
The slang term "sus" adds a casual and colloquial flavor to Twitter conversations.
While its usage started in certain online communities, "sus" has spread to become popular vernacular for expressing doubt, skepticism and distrust on social media.
Though originally used more seriously, "sus" is now often employed in a comedic or ironic fashion.
The next time you see something questionable on Twitter, don't hesitate to call it out as "sus."
How People Use "Sus" in Tweets
As an avid Twitter user, I have noticed the rise in popularity of the slang term “sus” in recent months.
“Sus” is short for “suspicious” and is used to express doubt or convey that something seems sketchy or questionable.
People deploy “sus” in tweets to cast skepticism on a wide range of subjects.
Expressing Doubt in News or Claims
A common way “sus” is used on Twitter is to express doubt or uncertainty regarding news stories, headlines, or claims made by public figures.
For example, if a celebrity announces a new project or relationship that seems implausible, people may reply by quoting the tweet and commenting “sus.” This suggests the announcement seems dubious or hard to believe.
Similarly, in response to news headlines making bold or extraordinary claims, Twitter users may simply comment “sus” to convey their skepticism.
Questioning Normalcy
People also use “sus” to suggest that something seemingly normal or routine seems odd or strange upon further reflection.
For example, if a brand releases a new product with an unusual design or feature, people may describe it as “sus.” Even mundane objects, behaviors or events can be labeled “sus” if there's an element of weirdness or absurdity.
Responding to a normal tweet with "sus" implies there may be more going on than meets the eye.
Meme Culture
Like many slang terms that originate or spread on social media, “sus” has been widely adopted into meme culture.
There are many reaction GIFs, images and videos depicting characters looking suspicious or distrustful that people will reply with or quote tweet alongside “sus.” This adds an additional layer of humor and relatability.
The memetic, inside-joke nature of these kinds of responses contributes to how trends like “sus” take off and become popular on platforms like Twitter.
"Sus" vs. "Sussy": What's the Difference?
As “sus” has become popular on Twitter and other social media platforms, a related term has also emerged: “sussy.” At first glance, these may seem interchangeable.
However, there are a few key differences in how they are used.
Definition
“Sus” is an abbreviation for “suspicious” or “suspect.” It is used to describe something or someone shady, questionable or untrustworthy.
“Sussy” is a slang variation that means the same thing but in an exaggerated, ironic way.
Usage
People typically use “sus” sincerely to point out something genuinely suspicious or concerning.
For example, “That unmarked van outside seems sus.” In contrast, “sussy” is used more jokingly or sarcastically.
It is meant to be an overdramatic way of describing mildly suspicious behavior or events.
For example, “John was acting kinda sussy at the party last night.”
Connotation
“Sus” has a straightforward, serious connotation.
It implies real suspicion or distrust.
“Sussy” has a more playful, exaggerated connotation.
It is meant in a teasing, over-the-top way.
The behavior being described as “sussy” is not necessarily genuinely suspicious or worrying.
It is being characterized that way in a melodramatic, ironic fashion.
In summary, while “sus” and “sussy” refer to the same core concept of suspicion, they differ in their level of seriousness and intended meaning.
“Sus” is used sincerely to note legitimately questionable things, whereas “sussy” is used in an exaggerated, ironic manner to teasingly overdramatize mildly unusual behavior or events.
So if something seems genuinely shady or alarming, you might call it “sus.” But if something seems only jokingly or ironically off, “sussy” is probably the more apt term.
Conclusion
As social media continues to evolve, new slang terms emerge and either fade into obscurity or become an inextricable part of our digital vernacular.
'Sus' appears poised to become the latter.
While its origins remain unclear, 'sus' has come to embody suspicion, doubt, and skepticism on platforms like Twitter.
Users deploy 'sus' when questioning motives, doubting claims, or casting a wary eye on suspicious behavior.
The term's popularity and usage seem likely to grow as long as there are ideas, events, and public figures that people view with a critical or distrustful eye.
Whether you find the spread of new slang invigorating or alarming, 'sus' has cemented itself as a concise way to voice misgivings and signal dubiousness to others.
The story of how 'sus' rose to prominence reminds us that for better or worse, the internet is a fertile breeding ground for neologisms and that the slang of today can become the accepted vocabulary of tomorrow.
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