What does 'sus' mean? Understanding the slang term's origins and usage.

Was your lunch "mid?" Did someone try to "rizz" you up? Did see that meme because "ijbol." What do these phrases even mean, if anything?

Trying to keep up with every slang term and acronym used online can feel impossible. New terms seemingly pop up overnight, and each jumbled group of letters can look like gibberish.

Slang can be hard to understand, "iykyk." But don't worry, we've got you covered. Here is what "sus" stands for and how to use it in conversation.

What does 'sus' mean?

"Sus" is an abbreviated form of "suspicious" or "suspect," according to Merriam-Webster. It is used to call out someone or something with questionable or dishonest motives.

Though usage of "sus" can be traced back to the 1920s, the term became popular in the 2020s thanks to the multiplayer online game "Among Us", Merriam-Webster reports.

In the murder-mystery game, one player is the "imposter," and others try to figure out who they are. Players often use "sus" to describe others who are acting strange and could potentially be the imposter.

Beyond gameplay, "sus" can be used in various scenarios, such as to call out someone for lying or to describe a person's actions as suspicious or out-of-character.

Looking for more?'Bet', this annual list of slang terms could have some parents saying 'Yeet'

How to use 'sus'

Here's how to use "sus" in conversation:

• "That's kind of sus though."
• "Did you see what Ricky posted?" "Yeah, it was pretty sus imo."
• "How long has the chicken been in the fridge?" "Not sure, but it looks sus."

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Where do gnats come from?" to "Do AirPods work with Android?" to "How to make your Facebook private?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.

Want to learn? Catch up on more text slang explainers: 

• What does 'tfw' mean? What to know if you're unsure how to use the term when texting
• What does 'OOO' mean? Here's what it means and how to use it when you're away from work
• What does 'EOD' mean? Here's how to use the term to notify deadlines to your coworkers
• What does 'no cap' mean? Here's the definition of the slang term and how to use it
• What does 'WYLL' mean? Here's what the text slang stands for and how to use it

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.