Behind the Acronym: ASL Meaning in Slang, Its Roots, and Usage by Teens
Understanding the ASL slang meaning is important, as this acronym is commonly used in teens’ online chats and text messages. While adults have already gotten the hang of terms like “LOL” and “WTF,” it’s time to catch up with the latest: ASL.
Contents:
- Origin of ASL
- ASL Meaning in Slang
- ASL Meaning in Text
- Examples of Use
- Talk with Your Kid About ASL Slang
- Stay Safe with Kids360
- FAQs
Origin of ASL
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The original definition of the abbreviation of ASL stands for American Sign Language.
Sign language is used by those who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with their hands.
However, in today’s teen slang, ASL has taken on a completely different meaning—one far from its original, wholesome roots. It no longer refers to American Sign Language (ASL) or the development of language skills using signs.
ASL Meaning in Slang
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Аccording to Urban Dictionary, the ASL meaning in slang translates to “as hell.”
When the acronym is pronounced aloud, ASL sounds like you say “as hell” in a slow, trendy way.
One way a teenager may use ASL in slang is when they want to emphasize something crazy or to an extreme.
For example, “I stayed up all night playing video games; I’m tired ASL today.”
ASL also appears in videos, comments, and captions on the popular TikTok app. You may also see the slang term written in undercase letters (asl) when it is written and used online.
It’s worth noting that this ASL abbreviation still hasn’t found its way to the official dictionaries. It’s a distinct language used online and on social networks.
ASL Meaning in Text
Urban Dictionary provides a second definition for ASL when used in texting and messaging. It also doesn’t have anything to do with visual language.
ASL also means “Age/Sex/Location” in terms of chatting with someone over the Internet.
When chatting online, using the term ASL is a quick way to ask the following three questions:
- How old are you?
- What is your sex?
- Where are you located?
With just a three-letter phrase, someone online can obtain sensitive information from your teen.
ASL is a dangerous slang term that can get your teen into trouble if they speak to strangers online. This is often seen as a predatory acronym that leads to inappropriate behavior.
You should talk to your child to make them understand that they shouldn’t answer this question. If someone asks them about their ASL, they should ignore this online slang. It’s best to stop the conversation with that person altogether since the stranger might have bad intentions.
Examples of Use
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Knowing the different meanings of ASL is crucial for understanding whether your teen is in a potentially dangerous situation or just chatting with friends. The key takeaway is that it has nothing to do with sign language. As mentioned earlier, in the online world, ASL means something entirely different.
When you see ASL used at the end of a sentence and without a question mark, it is likely the first definition, “as hell.”
We’ve come up with some examples of ASL used in a harmless way below:
- “I accidentally threw a ball through my kitchen window, and my dad was mad asl!”
- “Dude, Mr. Smith was crazy ASL today in class.”
- “He’s dumb ASL!”
When ASL is used in an independent language conversation over messaging, it is usually found at the beginning of the conversation, when two people get to know each other.
You will often see ASL with a question mark after or as a stand-alone message.
A conversation where someone is using ASL to ask about age/sex/location may look something like this.
- Teen: Hey!
- Stranger: Hi! Nice to meet you!
- Teen: You too! You look pretty chill from your profile pic.
- Stranger: Thanks! Let’s cut to the chase — ASL?
- Teen: 18/Female/Boston
If you see this kind of conversation and slang usage between your teen and someone online, it’s important to say something to them.
Talk with Your Kid About ASL Slang
Be open with your teens about current slang and the potential dangers behind their meanings.
Start a conversation with your kid by asking them if they know what ASL means. If they do, ask them to explain it to you and lead into a conversation about why it is a dangerous question to answer.
If they do not know what it means, warn them. Explain that it means people want to know their age, sex, and location. Let your child know that it can lead to a dangerous situation, and they should not answer this question.
Stay Safe with Kids360
Kids360 app
While it’s important to allow your teen to have privacy online, it is still important to monitor how they spend their time in the virtual world.
One way to keep your teen safe online is with the Kids360 app. Parents can set screen time schedules, see which apps their teens use the most, and limit app usage throughout the day.
Kids360 is an easy way to ensure your teen uses the Internet and their smartphone safely, especially when networking and making friends online. Try it right now!
FAQs
How do I know if my teen is using ASL in a dangerous way?
When you see a conversation with ASL at the beginning, it is most likely between your teen and a stranger. The stranger wants to know personal information about your teen. This is a dangerous situation you should warn your teen to avoid.
What does ASL slang word stand for?
ASL has two meanings in today’s slang. The first is an innocent emphasis, “as hell,” while the other is more predatory, meaning “age/sex/location.”
How can I keep up with my teen’s slang words and phrases?
Listen to how your teens speak to you and with their friends. If you don’t know a word, ask them about it. You can also use Urban Dictionary to keep up with the latest slang words and meanings.
Why should I know the meaning of slang words?
As a parent, it’s important to keep up with your kids’ slang words to understand if they are in danger or not. For example, knowing what ASL means helps you protect your child from online predators.
What does ASL mean in text slang?
In teen communication and new-age slang, ASL usually refers to “as hell.” However, you could also find this acronym among common slang terms that mark “age/sex/location.” It strongly depends on the context, so that’s what you should consider when trying to decipher the meaning.
What does ASL mean for Gen Z?
If you ask Gen Z, they would tell you that this internet slang means “as hell.” It’s important to understand that it doesn’t have any connection to sign languages. That often creates confusion since there’s another acronym that refers to a gesture-based language called the American sign language.
What does “boring ASL” mean?
Users would write this on the internet and not in the natural language. It refers to someone being “boring as hell.” It has a negative connotation in an online chat and serves as criticism or the desire to end the conversation.
What does “pretty ASL” mean?
According to slang terminologies, this one refers to “pretty as hell.” It’s part of the integrated language used online, and you’ll often encounter it as a bit of a weird compliment from one person to another.
The picture on the front page: YanLev Alexey/Shutterstock.com
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