What Does “Sus” Mean & How Did it Become Popular?

The internet has added more words to our vocabulary than ever before. Whether you’re squeezing your ideas into 140 characters for a tweet, or using the all-caps, no-punctuation style on Tumblr, people are finding creative ways to communicate online. From acronyms to emojis, internet slang is reshaping the English language in fun and exciting ways.

One of the most talked-about examples is the word “sus,” which has played a huge role in meme culture for years now. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of sus and share some interesting facts and stories behind it. So, let’s get started!

The Meaning and Origin Behind Sus

Sus is short for “suspect” or “suspicious,” and depending on the context, it can mean either one or even both at the same time. People use “sus” to describe something or someone that doesn’t seem right or feels a bit off. So, whether you’re talking about someone who looks untrustworthy or a situation that just feels odd, “sus” can work as both a noun and an adjective.

While “sus” has recently exploded on social media, it actually dates back long before the internet existed. As far back as 1842, “Sus law” was a nickname for a stop-and-search law in Britain, which let the police stop and search anyone they thought was suspicious. In the 1930s, “sus” became part of police slang as the phrase “suss out,” which meant to figure out or uncover something important.

However, the form of “sus” we use today was first recorded in August 2003 on the online slang dictionary Urban Dictionary. A user named Diego posted one of the earliest definitions of the term that’s closest to how we use it now.

What Made Sus Popular?

From being a lesser-known party game to reaching over 3 million players, Among Us became one of the most popular video games of 2020. Like classic games such as Werewolf and Mafia, Among Us assigns each player a random role as either a Crewmate or an Imposter. Crewmates try to complete their tasks while also trying to figure out who the imposter is before it’s too late.

But how did a party game make “sus” go mainstream? A major reason for the game’s breakout was its popularity with Twitch streamers, who would play for hours with fans watching live. “Sus” quickly became a catchphrase in the game whenever someone wanted to call out a player acting suspicious. Before long, people started calling other players “sus” if they looked like the imposter.

Once the term took off in memes, it spread everywhere online. People began using “sus” outside of Among Us, and it soon became a common part of internet speak. Today, kids and teens use “sus” to point out anything that seems odd, uncomfortable, shady, or in their words, “cringe.”

How To Use Sus Properly?

Now that you know what sus means and why it became so popular, you can try using it in your own online conversations. Whenever you want to say something or someone seems “suspicious” or “suspect,” you can just use the word “sus” instead. Here are a few everyday examples where “sus” fits perfectly.

1. Describing Someone as Untrustworthy

• Person 1: “Let’s share our project plans with Tom.”
• Person 2: “I don’t know about that; he gives off sus vibes.”

2. Describing Suspicious Behavior or Lying

• Person 1: “Why do you think she’s avoiding answering our questions?”
• Person 2: “Her responses seem sus. I think she might be hiding something.”

3. Describing Someone Sketchy or Unlikeable

• Person 1: “Why aren’t we including Kevin in our group?”
• Person 2: “I don’t trust him. He’s just too sus for me.”

4. Referring to Something Unsettling

• Person 1: “I found a hidden room in the basement.”
• Person 2: “That’s sus as heck. We need to check it out ASAP.”