What Does “Cap” or “No Cap” Mean on TikTok?
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or hanging out in internet comment sections, chances are you’ve stumbled across the words “cap” or “no cap.” But what do they actually mean? Here’s your go-to breakdown of these popular slang terms.
What Does “Cap” Mean?
“Cap” is slang for a lie or false statement. When someone says something unbelievable or obviously untrue, you can call it “cap.”
Origin:
“Cap” comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has been around since the early 2000s. It became mainstream through hip-hop lyrics and later exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok and meme culture.
Rappers like Future and Young Thug used it in songs around 2017–2018, and the phrase took off from there.
What Does “No Cap” Mean?
“No cap” means “I’m being serious” or “No lie.” It’s used to stress honesty or to hype something up as genuinely good or real.
When you say “no cap,” you’re saying, “Trust me, I’m telling the truth.”
All the Ways “Cap” and “No Cap” Are Used
| Context | Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calling out a lie | “That’s cap” | What you said is a lie | “You have 6-pack abs? That’s cap.” |
| Emphasizing truth | “No cap” | I’m being honest | “This is the best pizza ever—no cap.” |
| Reacting in disbelief | “Cappin’” | You’re lying or exaggerating | “Bro said he met Beyoncé? He cappin’.” |
| Jokingly accusing | “Cap alert” | Playfully calling someone out | “You actually read the terms & conditions? Cap alert.” |
What Does “Cap” or “No Cap” Mean?
FAQ: Cap and No Cap
Q1: Is “cap” a new slang term?
Not really. It’s been around in hip-hop since the early 2000s, but TikTok made it mainstream again.
Q2: Can I use “cap” in a funny way?
Absolutely. Many people use it humorously to call out silly or obvious lies.
Q3: What’s the difference between “cappin’” and “cap”?
“Cap” is the noun (a lie), and “cappin’” is the verb (lying). Example: “He’s cappin’ hard.”
Q4: Do people outside of TikTok use “cap”?
Yes! It’s popular on Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, and even in everyday speech among younger people.
