Decoding the Skateboarder Slang: 20 Terms Every Skater Should Know

Skateboarding culture has its own unique slang and terminology that can be intimidating for outsiders. Here are 20 skateboarder slang terms every skater should know.

The Culture

• Stoked — excited, enthusiastic; usually about an upcoming session or trick.
• Gnarly — a difficult or dangerous trick or obstacle.
• Sick — a really good trick or rider.
• Ripper — a skilled and talented rider.
• Shred — to ride with a high level of skill and style.
• Steeze — style and grace when performing a trick.
• Kook — someone new to skateboarding who doesn't know the culture or rules yet.
• Grom — a young skateboarder.

The Falls

• Bail — when a rider falls off their skateboard.
• Slam — a hard fall.
• Sketchy — something difficult or dangerous.

The Tricks

• Ollie — the basic jump: pop the tail with your back foot and slide the front foot up to lift the board into the air.
• Kickflip — pop the tail and flip the board while keeping the front foot off it.
• Heelflip — pop the tail and flip the board with the heel, front foot staying on.
• Pop shove-it — pop the tail and spin the board beneath you.
• No-comply — pop the tail and spin the board 180 degrees with the front foot off the board.
• Nose grind — grind the nose of the board along a rail or ledge.
• 50-50 grind — grind with both trucks parallel along the obstacle.
• Smith grind — grind with the trucks angled into the obstacle.
• Darkslide — slide on the opposite side of the rail from the direction you're facing.

Learning these terms helps you understand the lingo and be part of the community — skateboarding is a family, and speaking the language gets you in the door. Happy shredding!