Simp
what it means
An accusation of self-abasement rather than kindness. It has been used so broadly — sometimes for any ordinary politeness toward women — that many people now use it only ironically.
Someone who does excessive favours or flattery for a person they're attracted to, hoping for affection.
the origin story
Documented in hip-hop from the 1980s-90s as a shortening of "simpleton". Exploded on TikTok and Twitch in 2019-2020.
The 2020 boom produced "simp nation", "simping" as a verb, and eventually a backlash: TikTok briefly restricted the term for being used as harassment. It is now mostly self-applied as a joke ("I'm simping") rather than thrown at others.
in the wild
He drove two hours to bring her a charger.
Certified simp behaviour.
I bought all her merch.
Simping and proud.
how to use it
- Joking with friends about over-the-top romantic effort
- Self-deprecating about your own crush
- Talking about the term itself
- As a serious insult — it is frequently used to mock basic decency
- About someone in a healthy relationship doing normal nice things
- In any professional or public setting
related terms
receipts
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