‘Petmalu’ No More: Pinoy Slang That’s Past Its Prime

Language is ever-evolving, and every generation adds their twist to Pinoy slang. If you’ve ever felt like a tito/tita around younger folks who seem to be speaking a different language, you’re not alone. Let’s take a look at some of the most puzzling words used in the Philippines today.

When Words Stop Making Sense

It started as a joke, like most things on the internet. Someone on TikTok said Forda Ferson—a weird way of saying “for the person”—and suddenly, everyone was using it. It doesn’t mean anything more than what it already is, yet Filipinos have found a way to fit it into daily conversations. Need to justify your shopping spree? Forda gastos. Want to sleep in? Forda tulog. It’s a phrase that doesn’t need explanation—just roll with it.

The same thing happened with For today’s videyow, a phrase that evolved from vloggers’ go-to intros. What used to be a way to start a video has now become a casual way of announcing what’s about to happen—even if there’s no video involved. The extra “w” at the end? Just for flair. And then there’s Dasurv, an effortless way to say deserve. No need for extra syllables when you can just shorten it and make it sound ten times cooler.

From Gossip Queens to Everyday Slang

Not all slang is born from thin air. Some come from pop culture, while others are simply old words with new meanings. Marites, for instance, has transformed from being a regular name to the official title of the neighborhood gossipmonger. If someone’s always updated on the latest drama, you already know they’re a certified Marites.

Meanwhile, Naur is just the word “no” spoken in an exaggerated Australian accent. But for some reason, it works! It’s dramatic, it’s funny—it makes declining something feel ten times more extra. Yarn is another word that makes you wonder how it even became slang. Originally just the Tagalog word iyan (that), it has now taken on a new identity. Need to call out something ridiculous? Just say, Ano yarn?

Some of these words serve no other purpose than making conversations fun. Chariz is just a spicier way of saying charot, the go-to expression when you’re joking. Korique is simply correct with a little extra pizzazz. And Naol, short for sana all, is the universal way of expressing playful envy. These words might not make sense to everyone, but that’s the beauty of Pinoy slang—it doesn’t have to. As long as people keep using them, they’ll continue to evolve, confuse, and entertain all at once. So, korique? Korique!

These Came Out of Nowhere

Some words don’t even try to make sense! Skrrt, for example, started as an onomatopoeic term mimicking the sound of tires screeching, popularized in rap and hip-hop culture. Now, it’s used when someone wants to leave a situation quickly or just to add flair to a conversation.

Skibidi, on the other hand, was born from a viral dance trend and somehow turned into a chaotic meme. No one really knows why it’s funny. Or is it not? Then there’s Cheugy, a term from American slang, used to describe things that are outdated but still trying to be trendy. And Awit? A mash-up of aw (ouch) and sakit (pain), used whenever something is disappointing or frustrating.

And let’s not forget the new-generation favorite: Delulu. Short for delusional, it started as a term for hopeless romantics and people with unrealistic expectations. But now, it’s a badge of honor. Whether you’re dreaming big or just manifesting something absurd, being delulu is part of the fun!

READ: Why Do We Love Pinoybaiting So Much?

Every generation has their own linguistic flavor. So, what’s cool today may be cringeworthy tomorrow. Pinoy slang evolves—just as older generations left behind their expressions, Gen Z will eventually do the same.

So, the next time you’re tempted to say petmalu, just remember—you might be revealing yourself as a certified tito/tita. But hey, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Charot! If you don’t understand them, just hit them with a “Kwento mo sa pagong!”