What Does 'Sheesh' Mean? Explaining That Viral TikTok Slang | On Air with Ryan Seacrest | Ryan Seacrest (2024)

You've heard it all over TikTok and Reels: clips of food, makeovers and even confessionals overlaid with loud, high-pitched choruses of “sheeeeeeesh.” So, what does it mean? And, even more important, is it "cool" to say it?

Sisanie broke down the viral slang on-air and shared according to Merriam Webster, the word has been in use since the 1900s to “express disappointment, annoyance, or surprise," but on TikTok, “sheesh” signifies everything from bragging, to cringe, to excitement!

It can mean anything from "dang, you look good" or ‘"OK, I see you" when someone does something impressive.

But, don't go running around saying "sheesh" just yet.

Gen Z apparently thinks it’s cringey for millennials to say “sheesh”.

What Does 'Sheesh' Mean? Explaining That Viral TikTok Slang | On Air with Ryan Seacrest | Ryan Seacrest (2024)

FAQs

What Does 'Sheesh' Mean? Explaining That Viral TikTok Slang | On Air with Ryan Seacrest | Ryan Seacrest? ›

And, even more important, is it "cool" to say it? Sisanie broke down the viral slang on-air and shared according to Merriam Webster, the word has been in use since the 1900s to “express disappointment, annoyance, or surprise," but on TikTok, “sheesh” signifies everything from bragging, to cringe, to excitement!

What does the slang word sheesh mean? ›

Sheesh is often used as a slang expression to convey emotions such as surprise, amazement, annoyance, or disappointment. Sheesh has become a viral TikTok slang term that is used to indicate amazement or admiration. It is often used to express being impressed, exasperated, or in disbelief about something.

What does sheesh mean in TikTok? ›

21. What does Sheesh mean on TikTok? You may have heard a lot of TikTokers or seen a lot of comments using the 'word' sheesh on TikTok recently. The phrase basically means to either be impressed or to express disbelief or exasperation.

What does sheez mean in slang? ›

informal. an exclamation of surprise or annoyance.

What is sheesh about? ›

"Sheesh" is an exclamation or interjection that is often used to express a range of emotions, such as surprise, disbelief, frustration, or admiration.

Is sheesh a rude word? ›

Is the word "sheesh" good or bad? Sheesh is of informal use. It is used as an exclamation, It is not good or bad, it is just a word. used to express disbelief or exasperation.

Why are people saying sheesh? ›

You've heard people say “sheesh” before — according to Merriam Webster, the word has been in use since the 1900s to “express disappointment, annoyance, or surprise” — but on TikTok, “sheesh” signifies everything from bragging, to cringe, to excitement.

Who started the sheesh trend? ›

Though the word is found in the dictionary, it reportedly became popular on TikTok when user @meetjulio created the audio in a high-pitched voice and posted it alongside a clip of a huge frog. And that's... kind of it! There's no real deeper meaning.

What is the origin of sheesh? ›

The earliest known use of the interjection sheesh is in the 1950s. OED's earliest evidence for sheesh is from 1959, in Clearfield (Pennsylvania) Progress. sheesh is probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymons: Jeez int.

Is sheesh positive or negative? ›

Sheesh is an expression used to show disbelief or exasperation. It usually means the former on TikTok.

Is sheesh short for Jesus? ›

Sheesh is yet another euphemism (or “minced oath”) for Jesus. Like gee, jiminy or jeez. They go back at least to the 16th century. It is a derivative of 'Jesus' for people who feel uncomfortable or believe it is blaspheming.

What does gen z mean in slang? ›

This is a list of slang used by Generation Z (Gen Z), generally those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s in the Western world.

Why do zoomers say sheesh? ›

Sheesh: Use this term to hype someone up about their looks or performance.

When was Sheesh popular? ›

Background. The use of "sheesh" as an expression has a history of popular use on TikTok, and in 2021, the phrase spiked as a viral trend on the platform. This was often in humorous, memetic contexts, as well as being used as an ad-lib in hip-hop performances.

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