If you have been on social media or have been texting, you definitely have come across NGL. The meaning of NGL is straightforward and stands for Not Gonna Lie. So, whether someone is sharing their personal opinion, confessing something amusing, or simply stating facts, NGL helps people voice their expressions in an informal way.
Moreover, this acronym is all over Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, making it one of the most used words in virtual conversations. Let’s delve deeper to understand how you can use NGL with examples and also offer practical tips on how to talk about slang terms with kids. So, be with us!
NGL’s main meaning & definition
NGL is a social media slang term which is an acronym for ‘Not Gonna Lie. Keep in mind that when someone uses this phrase, they are preparing to provide the truth about something.
However, there is more to uncover! NGL is also a popular downloading app with over 10 million downloads. It allows users to receive anonymous messages and questions via a shareable link on Instagram.
So whenever you see the abbreviation ‘NGL’ being used, consider the context to know its meaning better. If in a chat, it most likely means honesty. But if it’s about the app, then it’s about sending messages without revealing one’s identity.
Get real with teen slang NGL and more you should talk with kids about responsible use.
How did NGL become popular?
The slang terminology NGL (Not Gonna Lie), which is substituted for honesty, became widely accepted in the early 2010s on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Moreover, as it is quick to type, many people use it in social media postings and their casual talks. With the passage of time, people started adopting it to share opinions in a more subtle way without coming off as harsh.
Additionally, in 2021, the NGL app was launched, which enhanced the pre-existing term with a new context. Although the app experienced extensive growth, it did raise some concerns. Many parents were worried about bullying and mean messages being sent without revealing the name of the sender. Regardless of this, NGL has remained a trending app and continually adds new features to improve safety.
In short, I must say that NGL gained fame in two ways: first as a phrase and later in the form of an application. So, now it is well known amongst both teenagers and parents!
What does NGL mean in text and chat?
NGL is typically used in texting when someone wants to be straightforward and honest. It serves as a means to express opinions, thoughts, or even personal issues in a lighthearted manner. For instance, “NGL, I feel really left out today” or “NGL, I am nervous about my exam.” Thus, this acronym makes the act of being honest much simpler on social media and helps people connect on a deeper level.
Synonyms for NGL
There are a ton of different ways to say what you mean. So, here I’m going to enlist some alternative expressions of NGL meaning to communicate over messages or social media.
1. TBH (To Be Honest): This is one of the most frequently heard phrases to express someone’s real thoughts. You can use it if you wish to resume talking frankly.
- Example: ‘TBH, I didn’t enjoy that show.’
2. If I’m being honest: This phrase sounds a bit more personal. It’s great if you want to talk about your feelings or accept something.
- Example: ‘If I’m being honest, I was really nervous about today.’
3. Just saying: This expression is great for casual situations that still require honesty. Moreover, it works well when you want to provide an opinion without seeming too harsh.
- Example: ‘Just saying, that pizza wasn’t great.’
4. Not gonna sugarcoat it: You can use this phrase when you have to be straightforward, especially when the reality is unpleasant.
- Example: ‘Not gonna sugarcoat it, that test was really hard.’
5. Straight up: This is a modern way to express bluntness in a relaxed manner.
- Example: “To be honest, I find this game to be distasteful.”
6. Let’s be real: Lastly, it comes off as respectful and opens the opportunity for a discussion.
- Example: Let’s be real, we all forgot about the homework.”
How teens use NGL on social media
The NGL slang helps teenagers express their emotions, share feelings, and connect with each other, which is why it can be found almost everywhere on social media. Moreover, it is often seen in DMs, comments, and even captions to show realness. Let us explore how teenagers use it on different social media platforms.
On Instagram
Teenagers now have the opportunity to express themselves, which is why you likely have NGL-related words in your captions and stories on Instagram. It boosts utterances to another level and, at the same time, maintains authenticity. For instance:
- “NGL, I took 100 pictures before this one!” – You know this is funny and truthful at the same time.
- “NGL, I love this outfit but have nowhere to go.” – A person can express his ideas and thoughts while still being inoffensive.
On TikTok
Similarly, you’ve come across NGL plenty of times while scrolling through TikTok. It certainly adds creativity to videos and comments, which makes it more entertaining. Let’s look at the examples below to understand how teens use it in their videos!
- “NGL, this dance took me three hours to learn!’’ – Here, you’re simply being honest and encouraging people at the same time.
- “NGL, I didn’t expect that ending!” – Similarly, it’s a basic way to respond to something truly astonishing.
On Snapchat
In addition, NGL is great for expressing yourself without feeling awkward on Snapchat messaging. It’s best in casual chats but still wants to be straightforward:
- “I miss summer vacation, NGL.” – Here, you are most likely sharing nostalgic feelings with friends.
- “Nervous about the test tomorrow, NGL.” – Admitting one’s concerns and connecting with others.
How to reply NGL in texting? With examples
Now, you have a well understanding of the meaning of NGL. If you are getting confused about how you can respond to such messages containing NGL, then don’t worry. In this section, I’ll share real-life examples to deal with different scenarios!
When a user shares a funny truth
Sometimes, people try to be honest in a fun way and NGL is the best tool to facilitate that. Playful interactions can resolve this easily.
- Them: NGL, I literally just ate an entire pizza all by myself.
- You: “Wow! That’s impressive!”.
When someone is opening up about feelings
In the case that someone uses an NGL quote to vent their emotions, a support quote for the reply can be useful.
- Them: NGL, I am super terrified about my test.
- You: That’s understandable. You have put in the effort into studying, and I know you will do great.
When someone expresses real thoughts
If someone shares his real thoughts, then you can respond well to keep the dialogue going.
- Them: “NGL, I don’t like this movie.”
- You: “Yes, I agree! What, specifically, did you not like about it?”
While receiving compliments
As discussed in the above example, make sure to appreciate kind gestures toward you and keep good energy going.
- Them: “NGL, your outfit looks amazing!”
- You: “Aww, thanks! You have amazing style as well!”
In any case, make sure to keep the same wavelength with your response. When you respond appropriately, conversations become more fun, interesting, and worthwhile.
How to talk with your kid about slang use?
Slang belongs to the informal register of speech, which is mostly the domain of teenagers. As a parent, you may be wondering if NGL slang is something to be worried about. Well! Just relax; it’s totally harmless. However, instead of turning a blind eye to them, consider a middle ground. In this section, I’ll share with you some practical tips to help you to talk openly about slang uses with your kids!
i) Listen first before reacting
When you find out that your child is using slang terms like NGL, lmao, SOB, or any others that you don’t know, learn the meaning before responding further. First, try to understand the context. Furthermore, if some harmful slang words are frequently used in your child’s chats, then you have to do something.
ii) Encourage children to express freely
Instead of remonstrating children over something that is not serious, it can be approached as an exploration. In this sense, you could ask, “I found out that you use NGL quite often. What does it mean to you?” This is good not only to learn about their slang but also about their world without putting them into a scolding mode.
iii) Explain context and boundaries
Moreover, slang is not necessarily bad, but kids need to understand when it is appropriate to use it. So, explain that using terms like NGL with peers is acceptable, but in school or more formal settings, they need to use proper phrases. If children grasp this, they will be able to learn how to express themselves in multiple situations.
iv) Lead by example
If you, being a parent, hope to teach your kids how to communicate, then you too have to learn how to do it effectively. So, when speaking to children, you should always freely express your feelings towards them. That makes children understand that conversations do not need to be slang in order to be substantial.
v) Stay updated and monitoring
As previously mentioned, the trend of various slang words changes quickly. Teens can effortlessly learn or even create new phrases due to popular media and memes. If you are concerned and want to know for sure if your child is using some bad words in their online interactions, it’s recommended to use FlashGet Kids for live monitoring your kids’ phone use and social activities. This powerful parental control app offers features, including screen mirroring, notification tracker, daily usage reports, social media app tracker, content filtering, etc. Indeed, many harmful slang terms could also be a sign of risky activities such as bullying, predators, scams, etc.
- How to keep up with the new terms?
In order to keep up with changes, you do not need to remember each new term; approaching everything with curiosity is far better! Try taking an interest in social media slang and explanations, or even these term dictionaries online. Basically, you must remain willing to learn. Trust me! If you are not judgmental, your child will share lots of up-to-date information.
Conclusion
All in all, the acronym NGL is one of the most used slang words on social media, especially among teens and young adults. Whether you’re texting, chatting in DMs, or posting on social media, understanding the meaning of NGL and how it’s used can help you keep up with the ever-evolving language of the internet. Slang evolves over time. Staying informed about those terms can help you understand your teen’s world, irrespective of how the language keeps changing.
