What does og mean in love island

Has someone done you the honor of calling you an OG? It’s a sign of respect. We’ll explain what an OG is and how to use this slang term to refer to someone you admire.

Original Gangster

Taken literally, OG stands for “original gangster.” If that doesn’t seem to line up with the places you’ve seen this acronym in, don’t worry. While the literal definition might appear different, the abbreviation “OG” has taken on a life of its own in the past few decades — from its origins in the 70s to the present-day on the internet. You can write it in both the uppercase “OG” and the lowercase “og.”

Advertisement

While its definition has changed slightly through the years, at its core, calling someone an OG is an expression of deep respect or admiration for someone. It can refer to someone trailblazing or innovative, such as an artist who popularized a musical trend or a fashion style. This is the closest to the term’s initial definition of being “original” or “first” at something.

OG can also mean “exceptional” or the best in a particular field. In this use case, OG is synonymous with GOAT, or “greatest of all time.” You might say “Tiger Woods is an OG” to refer to his excellence in the field of golf, for example. You can also use OG to refer to friends or personal relationships, particularly people who have stayed authentic with you over a long period. For example, you would call friends who’ve been by your side since childhood to be OGs.

RELATED: What Does "GOAT" Mean, and How Do You Use It?

The History of OG and Original Gangsters

OG and “original gangster” come from African-American Vernacular English or AAVE. The phrase was coined in the 1970s by the Los Angeles-based Crips gang whose members self-identified as the OGs, or the first gangsters to emerge. Later on, they would use this term to refer to people who have been deeply committed to the gang for a long time. Younger members would often call older members OGs.

The term entered mainstream consciousness through hip-hop, which incorporated a lot of words and ideas from gang culture. You can find it in rap lyrics throughout the 80s and 90s, most notably an Ice-T song named “O.G. Original Gangster,” which made its way onto the Billboard charts.

RELATED: Why Is TikTok So Popular? Why the Social Network Is Unique

Eventually, it arrived on the internet. While the first Urban Dictionary entry is from 2004, OG has exploded in popularity in the late 2010s with the rise of platforms like Twitter and TikTok. As a result, you’ll often find memes saying things like, “Only OGs will know this,” referring to an inside joke that only people with a specific set of experiences will understand.

What Is an OG?

Like many terms, the exact meaning of OG can vary drastically based on the context, especially since it’s had so many definitions throughout the years.

The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere

Join 425,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of features, articles, news, and trivia.

By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

The most basic way to use OG is a shorthand for “original.” For example, you might say, “Adam West is the OG Batman,” in reference to the fact that he’s the first one to play a live-action Batman in a filmed show. This usage is widespread, so much so that you’ll find many people who use it without actually knowing what it stands for.

As stated earlier, an OG is also authentic, exceptional, or admirable. Young people often call older people, like their grandparents, OGs. You’ll also see this for historical figures, artists, sports legends, and anyone who deserves admiration. So if someone refers to you as an OG, you should take it as a huge compliment.

RELATED: How to Disable Auto-Correct on iPhone and iPad

You should also take note that the letter “G” is right next to “H” and “F,” which is why OG is commonly autocorrected to “oh” and “of.” So if you see an “OG” that doesn’t seem to make any sense at all, it might be one of those other words. Alternatively, some keyboards autocorrect the lowercase “og” into “of” or “oh,” so make sure to check your message before sending it out.

How to Use OG

Using OG is pretty simple. Use it to refer to people who you feel are original, authentic, or exceptional. Depending on the context, you can also call someone “my OG,” which means you have a special relationship with them.

Here are a few examples of OG in action:

• “Prince was the og performer.”
• “My grandpa has been through some crazy stuff. He’s an OG.”
• “You’re my OG. Through thick and thin, you’ve been there for me.”
• “Christopher Reeve is the OG Superman to me.”

Do you want to learn about other internet acronyms? Check our explanations on TBF, IRL, and WBK to expand your online slang vocabulary even further.

RELATED: What Does "WBK" Mean, and How Do You Use It?

Love Island is returning to our screens this Monday, and on our trip to the Villa we can expect the show’s unique slang to be back in full force.

For all those needing a reminder of the classic words and phrases we are likely to see on the show, the experts at language learning app Babbel have created a guide to the most important bits of Love Island slang you need to know before watching the show:

This phrase is used when somebody is trying too hard to impress someone or ‘laying it on thick’, meaning that they are behaving in an exaggerated way to seem charming or funny. In the context of Love Island UK, the term ‘factor 50’ refers to sun block, as the UV-sensitive Brits abroad are known for needing to thickly layer on their protection from the sun’s rays.

What does ‘My type on paper' mean?

‘My type on paper’ describes anyone who fits the description of your dream or ideal partner, but usually when there isn’t a spark in person. Its use on the island is as a way to politely express that you’re not interested in someone, despite their good qualities.

When it comes to discussing love, one of the most common pieces of advice passed around is to ‘shoot your shot’. This means letting go of your inhibitions and finally letting someone know your true feelings.The phrase’s origins lie in sport, essentially meaning that if you don’t take your chances, then you cannot win.

What does ‘My head’s gone’ mean?

Islanders who are feeling confused in the early stages of a relationship or dealing with a difficult decision can often be heard saying ‘my head’s gone’. If your head is gone, then you are unable to think clearly and all decisions become a struggle.This phrase is particularly likely to feature at the recoupling stage, when contestants are faced with difficult choices.

What does ‘It is what it is’ mean?

This phrase of resignation is used when you are exasperated or upset by a situation, whether romantically or in life. Islanders will usually use the phrase after a romance doesn’t work out, or if they are leaving the show. It is essentially an updated version of ‘que sera sera’ or ‘c’est la vie’, meaning that you must accept the things you cannot change.

What does 'Situationship’ mean?

Love Island is full of uncertain romances, where the boundaries are not clearly drawn. ‘Situationship’ is the perfect word to describe this kind of entanglement where there are no labels yet, but it might be assumed to be exclusive.

When someone has a sudden change of heart and can no longer stand their partner, they have ‘the ick,’ which means that they unexpectedly find everything their partner does off-putting, for no specific reason. When ‘the ick’ takes hold, it is often the end of a relationship.

What does ‘Pied off’ mean?

‘Pied off’ can refer to being dumped or rejected, often in an embarrassing way. It refers to the common prank of throwing a pie in someone's face, and is meant to capture the same spirit of humiliation that you might feel afterwards.

What does ‘Melt’ mean?

Melt can have many meanings depending on its context. It can be used as a term of endearment when teasing a friend, or as a genuine insult. It is usually used to call out somebody for undesirable - often weak or soppy - behavior. If your friend is overreacting to drama you might tell them to, ‘Stop being a melt.’ The term originated from Essex but is now used across the UK since it was popularised on the show.

What does ‘Muggy’ mean?

The romantic rivalries and spurned advances in the villa can often give rise to some tension. The phrase ‘muggy’ is often used if someone is playing you, or taking you for a fool or a mug. This term is a variation on the phrase ‘mugged off’, most commonly used around London, which describes when somebody is being openly disrespectful to another person.

What does ‘Grafting’ mean?

Grafting is a term generally associated with work, as you might refer to a ‘long day’s graft’ to mean a hard day at work. However, the islanders have adapted the phrase to refer to working hard to impress a potential partner. If someone is flirting consistently on the show, then the other islanders might comment that they are ‘grafting’.