What does the slang “skrrt” mean?
“Skrrt” is the sound of screeching tires when a car accelerates quickly. “Skrrt” is an onomatopoeic word (like “woof” or “meow”) that represents a sound–in this case, the sound of tires screeching when a car suddenly stops, turns, or takes off quickly. Nwodo says “skrrt” often mimics the sound of a car drifting or doing donuts. He explains that it’s typically used in hip-hop lyrics and everyday convos to “describe moving quickly and with urgency.” For instance, people use it to say they’re running away or making a fast getaway. “Skrrt” can also be used as a fun interjection to express enthusiasm, surprise, or approval. Listen to a quick audio clip of a car peeling out here. “Skrrt” sums up the sound perfectly! “Skrrt” can be used for any kind of quick getaway–a vehicle doesn’t have to be involved. Example of “skrrt” in a sentence: “I’m gonna skrrt skrrt right outta here.” “I had to skrrt out of that relationship.” “Skrrt” can also be used as a sound effect. It can stand alone or represent more of a vibe, especially in rap music. For example, check out YFN Lucci’s song “Skrrt Skrrt.” Rapper 21 Savage also has a song called “Skrrt Skrrt.” Meet the wikiHow Expert Tobi Nwodo is a meme, brainrot, and slang content creator with over 9 years of social media experience. He breaks down the newest memes and slang to his audience of over 600k followers across YouTube and TikTok.
Where did “skrrt” come from?
“Skrrt” originated in the Black community in the 1990s. “Skrrt” has been around for a minute! Originally, the Black community used the term to represent the sound of a fast car taking off super quickly (with the subtext being more about the reasons why someone might need or want to do that). The term gained a ton of traction and popped up frequently in hip-hop lyrics, especially once trap music started in the 2010s. While “skrrt” may have had its peak popularity in the 2010s, Nwodo says it’s still a common term that most people recognize. It’s still super popular in hip-hop music, and it’s popular in everyday conversation, as well, most notably with Gen Z. Nwodo explains that rappers and hip-hop artists “tend to use ‘skrrt’ to describe cars, mostly as an adlib.” For example, you might hear an artist rapping “skrrt in the Range,” which means “drive fast in a Range Rover.” Nwodo adds that “skrrt” can also simply be used to fill in time between lines or verses, like “skrrt skrrt.” We’ve already mentioned rap songs by 21 Savage and YFN Lucci, but there are so many that make ample use of “skrrt.” Here’s another example from Kodak Black. A large portion of the public first heard “skrrt” in a Saturday Night Live skit from 2023 featuring Pete Davidson and Timothée Chalamet. In the skit, they pretend to be “mumble” rappers and playfully mock trap music lyrics. What are “mumble rappers” and “trap music,” you ask? We’ve got you! “Trap” is a micro genre of hip-hop out of Atlanta known for its super slow, deep sub-bass sound, hi-hats, and 808 beats. “Mumble rappers" are rap artists heavily influenced by trap music (especially the hi-hats and slow, rumbly bass). They’re known for their autotuned vocal delivery and indecipherable lyrics. “Mumble rap” is a derogatory phrase, although some say it should be considered a legit musical sub-genre.
More Hip-Hop & Gen Z Slang
Words like “yeet” and “hustle” are often used by rappers and teenagers. Nwodo explains that “it's very common for teenagers from current and previous generations to adopt slang from hip-hop” as “hip-hop is one of the main cultural drivers of what slang is cool in society.” Whenever slang is used in a popular rap song, it’s almost a sure bet that Gen Z will eventually adopt it for their own use. Some current examples include: Yeet: A nonsense exclamation when you throw something hard. Also used as an interjection to show general excitement and approval. Bet: Indicates that someone agrees with what was said or done. Drip: Refers to someone’s fashionable look or style. Hustle: To work really hard, often as a way to make money. Grind: To work nearly continuously, usually to the point of exhaustion. Bangin’: An adjective that means “awesome” or “attractive.” No cap: Has the same meaning as “no lie” or “I’m serious.” Want to test your Gen Z slang knowledge? We have a quiz for that! Nwodo notes that popular slang used by rappers and teenagers has a reciprocal nature, as they often borrow and use phrases from each other. For instance, he says this is apparent with popular phrases like “periodt,” “pushing p,” and “clock it.”
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