Sus
Meaning
Sus is a slang term used to describe someone or something as suspicious, untrustworthy, or questionable.
Origin
The term “sus” didn’t just pop up overnight; it’s a snappy shortening of “suspicious” that had been floating around informal conversations for decades, especially in British English. But its true explosion into mainstream consciousness is undeniably linked to the digital age. It wasn't until the early 21st century, particularly with the rise of online gaming and meme culture, that 'sus' found its definitive home. The social deduction game 'Among Us,' released in 2018, acted as a supercharger for the phrase. In the game, players accuse each other of being the impostor by calling them 'sus,' making the term a core part of its viral appeal. From gaming lobbies, 'sus' quickly infiltrated TikTok, Twitter, and everyday youth slang, becoming a ubiquitous, punchy way to signal distrust or peculiarity, stripping 'suspicious' of its extra syllables for maximum internet speed.
Examples
- That guy lurking in the shadows outside the house looks pretty sus to me.
- The email I got with the weird link seemed really sus, so I deleted it without opening.