Staff report
Indianapolis, Ind. – July 24, 2023
A recent study conducted by puzzle site Backgammon-Online.net has shed light on the most popular slang terms in each state across the United States. In Indiana, the term ‘Woke’ emerged as the top-searched slang word, according to Google Trends data.
Slang words have become an integral part of modern communication, evolving through conversations with friends, internet browsing, and social media interactions. To uncover the prevailing slang terms, Backgammon-Online.net analyzed Google Trends data, revealing fascinating insights into the linguistic preferences of each state.
Nationwide, the slang term ‘Karen’ took the crown as the most popular, with a staggering 20 states displaying the highest search interest in this term. Defined as “an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors,” Karen has made a significant impact on popular culture. States such as California, Florida, New York, and Illinois were among those with the highest search interest for this term.
Following closely behind ‘Karen,’ the term ‘Cap’ ranked as the second most popular slang word, capturing the interest of 19 states. The dictionary defines ‘Cap’ as to lie or exaggerate about something, while “no cap” means to tell the truth. States like Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Utah were among the highest searchers for this term.
‘Woke,’ the term that dominated the slang landscape in Indiana, also proved to be the most popular slang word in six other states, including Nevada and South Carolina. Defined as being alert to prejudice or discrimination, the term ‘woke’ has gained traction in discussions about social consciousness and awareness.
Meanwhile, the remaining five states found ‘Simp’ as their most popular slang word. ‘Simp’ is a slang insult for men who are seen as overly attentive and submissive to women, often with the hope of receiving entitled sexual attention or activity. States like Massachusetts and Texas showed a strong interest in this term.
A spokesperson for Backgammon-Online.net commented on the study’s findings, highlighting the multifaceted role of slang in our language and communication. “Language is constantly evolving, and new slang is added into our vocabulary every year,” the spokesperson said. “Yet it can be puzzling to decipher exactly what each new phrase actually means. However, as this study shows, when these words or phrases are used more frequently among the wider population, they trickle into our vocabulary and soon become part of everyday language.”
