WSG meaning: what does the acronym mean and how to respond
Lately, casual terms and acronyms have been trending as hashtags on platforms like TikTok, which will likely confuse you. Most people now use the abbreviation 'WSG' to communicate, and others don't know its meaning. Learn the WSG meaning and how to respond to it. Dr. Tony Thorne, the Director of the Slang and New Language Archive at King's College London, offers expert insights into the slang acronym "WSG," its origins, and how it is used in conversations.
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What does WSG stand for? The phrase is an acronym for "What's Good." The slang is a greeting between two people and has been used on Snapchat and TikTok for a while. It is an alternative to phrases such as "What's up," "How are you?," or "How is the going?"
WSG meaning
What does WSG mean on Snap? The millennials and Gen-Z generations are trendy and like to use unofficial language/slang when communicating. The acronym been trending lately on Snapchat and other social media platforms. You may have seen it and couldn't guess what it meant.
WSG is an acronym of two words, meaning "what's good?" The phrase "what's good?" is popular among the black community. Actually, it is a greeting like "what's up." Although the phrase is generally used positively, the tone of the user determines the reception.
What does WSG mean in slang? It is a popular slang term that is used on social media platforms. In slang, this phrase is a conversation starter between two or more people. It could lead to a great conversation with friends, acquaintances or even a crush.
How is 'WSG' typically used in conversation or online communication?
Dr. Tony Thorne, the Director of the Slang and New Language Archive at King's College London, explained in an interview that the phrase "WSG" originates from the African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) – the name given by linguists and social commentators to the speech patterns and vocabulary of black speakers in the USA. He said:
The phrase is used as a greeting or salutation or as the introduction to a spoken or online conversation. Though originally emblematic of black culture, the initials are now used by younger people of many ethnicities and diverse communities, particularly in the USA.
'WSG' is equivalent to 'What's up?' or 'How's it going?' as conversation openers and/or friendly greetings. The question can be used between friends when checking up on one another or when flirting to reach out in an acceptable way to a potential friend or partner when hoping to link up or 'hang out.'
The same signal can have different nuances depending on social context and the speaker's or messager's intentions. For example, as a rhetorical question, it can also be used to show off, to be assertive, or to challenge.
What does WSG mean in text?
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What is WSG meaning in text? It is a popular acronym for the slang "What's good?" mostly used among peers when texting. There are various meanings when this acronym is sent as a text.
- It is one common greeting when striking a conversation with a friend. If you receive WSG as a message, your friend is saying hi before going getting into the real chat. It is also a question asking someone what they are doing or what they are up to. This could be when you haven't seen each other for a while.
- It is used as a follow-up after making a plan with an acquaintance or a friend.
- The phrase is also used when people plan for the weekend or holiday. This is more so when you want to go out or vacation.
- It is also used as a conversation starter.
- The acronym can be used as a status update on social media. For example, on Snapchat, you can post "What Good" on your stories. This invites your followers to start interacting with you and post comments.
How do you respond to WSG?
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Dr. Thorne noted that the response to WSG depends on the nature of the interaction. He mentioned:
- To make a friendly contact or start a conversation: You can respond as you would to any greeting or opening gambit. He said:
Often, this is just a simple 'hi' or 'I'm fine' or 'I'm good, thanks', but it can also be a longer and more thoughtful response or perhaps a witty comeback if you don't mind the interaction continuing.
2. With friends: You can rely on mutual knowledge and respect and exchange jokes, news, and gossip.
3. When speaking with strangers or someone unfamiliar, Dr. Thorne suggests keeping your first responses short and simple and immediately understandable while you decide what sort of conversation you will have.
At times, understanding slang is crucial. Before responding, ensure that you understand the context of these slang words. There are various ways to respond to the WSG acronym. Tell your friend how you're feeling or what you're doing.
Be polite and thank them for asking. The following are examples of responses you could send them.
- I'm good! Thank you for asking.
- I am doing great! I appreciate you've thought of me.
- I'm doing pretty well, thank you! How are you doing?
If they are asking what you are doing, respond by telling them what you are up to; if you are not doing anything, respond accordingly. You could reply to the acronym with:
- Nothing, much. I just got home from work.
- I'm making dinner. How are you doing?
- It's been a long day for me. Work was overwhelming. What about you?
If you are unsure what to say, you can replay with something funny like:
- What's good on your end?
- That's for you to find out!
WSG can be a question asking if there is anything fun happening. If you receive a text from a friend saying WSG, suggest something fun you can do together and invite them. Reply with positive messages like:
- Want to hang out for the new Spiderman movie?
- We should do something fun together.
You don't have to reply literally if the acronym or phrase is used as a conversation starter. If this happens, you can introduce a topic that both of you can discuss, such as world affairs or politics.
Sending a cute photo is a great way to respond to a WSG message. You can caption it with a clever line like, "Saw this cute poster and can't stop laughing."
Social media is one of the most popular communication platforms globally, with millions of followers interacting on these platforms. New words and phrases come up as a casual way of communicating with friends and followers. The most recent acronym that has been trending is WSG. The above is the WSG meaning explained and the various responses you could use for the acronym.
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Naomi Karina (Lifestyle writer) Naomi Karina has been a digital content writer for more than two years. She joined the Legit team in August 2022. She graduated Bachelor of Commerce from KCA University in 2012. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Human Resources from the IHRM and a Diploma in Marketing from Kenyatta University. She is a content creator who enjoys writing about various topics such as biographies, entertainment and business. In 2023, Naomi finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She expanded her skills in 2024 by undertaking the Google News Initiative course.
Mary Ugbodaga (Lifestyle Journalist) Mary Ugbodaga is a Legit.ng journalist with 7 years of experience in journalism and media communications. She graduated from Covenant University in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies. Mary previously worked as a journalist at TheCable, CNBC AFRICA, Voice of Nigeria, KPMG Nigeria. Email: mary.ugbodaga@corp.legit.ng.
