Understanding the Meaning of “Bop” on TikTok: How Gen Z Transforms Language and Confuses Others

The term “bop” has gained significant traction as a slang expression among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, leaving older generations, such as millennials and Gen X, scratching their heads at its evolving meaning.

Currently, TikTok reigns as one of the most widely used social media platforms, engaging millions of users who interact with a plethora of content available on the site.

As is typical with social media, TikTok has birthed a plethora of original slang, encompassing everything from convenient abbreviations to terms that have acquired whole new interpretations through the platform’s usage.

While older generations typically associate the word “bop” with a catchy tune or dancing to music, the latest meaning among Gen Z users has shifted drastically.

What does bop mean on TikTok?

On TikTok, the term bop denotes “a person who showcases their physique online” or “someone who is sexually adventurous with multiple partners,” as identified by users of the app.

A TikTok user known as missingbrian (previously theyhateonbrian1) created a viral video in 2023 that amassed over 1.1 million views and roughly 39,800 likes, where he elaborates on the term ‘bop’.

@missingbrian
Hope y’all got an understanding now#fyp #fypシ #viral #xyzbca #trending

♬ original sound – missingbrian

In his video, Brian points out that the term ‘bop’ applies to both genders, with a slight emphasis on females. He clarifies that a ‘bop’ is: “Somebody who showcases their body online … or someone who tends to connect with various partners, often hanging around many guys.”

He emphasizes that it doesn’t necessarily imply a woman must engage in physical relationships with all the men around her; rather, it’s about being in their company. He illustrates this point using the example of a TikTok display featuring a single girl surrounded by eight guys.

Brian further adds that when a girl shares her “body for views,” she qualifies as a bop, and the same applies to men. He notes: “If you’re a guy who interacts with attractive females, you’re a bop,” although he acknowledges that the term tends to be more frequently associated with women.

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