OG Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Kids' Usage Explained

These days, you hear many different slang and words that are trendy now. A lot of these slangs and colloquial expressions are popular among teens and younger people. So, if you are a parent to a teenager, you are probably wary and want to understand the terms they use.

One of those common slangs is “OG”. It is usually used to describe someone who is prominent at something. Read on to know what “OG” means, where it is from, what it is used for, and how you can deal with your kid using slang words.

Part 1. What Does 'OG' Mean

There’s a good chance that you’ve come across “OG” through text or real-life conversation. But what does it mean? “OG” is an abbreviation of the words ‘original gangster’. It could be used to mean several things, usually to refer to a person who is deemed to be a trailblazer or the original creator of something that is held in high regard.

In general, it could be used to mean the original version of something or the highest rated. It is also used to refer to expertise in something.

Part 2. Where Does 'OG' Come From

“OG” is believed to have originated from the rap culture of the early 90s, which was highly gang-related. It can be connected in popular culture to the rap song, O.G. Original Gangster by Los Angeles rapper, ICE T as part of a studio album with the same name.

It was used to refer to someone who is highly respected as a trendsetter or someone who has a lot of experience and knowledge about things. In other words, people use it to hail someone or something that is so authentic or excellent. The term is rooted in the hip-hop community but it has spread beyond its original context and is used in different areas of everyday life.

Part 3. How Kids Use "OG" in Everyday Conversation

3.1. Examples of "OG" in sentences

Your kids and teenagers probably use “OG” in several ways that you may find difficult to follow. Some examples of “OG” being used in everyday conversation are below.

• Mr Johnson is the OG fun teacher at our school.
• Many MCU fans still prefer the OG Avengers to the new Marvel characters.
• Dylan is the OG of math in our entire class.
• She’s been my OG friend all the way back from middle school.
• We all think Dave Chappelle is the OG of stand-up comedy.

3.2. Variations and related slang terms

There are a couple of variations of the term “OG” that young people use. Because of its roots in gang activities, they are also still often used in reference to hip-hop and gang-related topics.

One of the variations is the term “real OG”. Members of the hood culture to refer to someone who has been affiliated with them since a while back and still maintains the connection despite any differences in levels of success. Regular people also use the phrase to refer to the first person to achieve something, or in the case of closeness, to refer to friends with whom they have a long history.

“Triple OG” is another form of the term. It is also used to call someone who made it out of the hood and became successful but stays linked to the hood. Using it to refer to someone is basically a sign to show the respect you have for that person.

3.3. Social media usage and popular hashtags

Social media users use “OG” in conversations, as well as other popular slang words. They use it to describe an extraordinary person. They sometimes use it as a way to hail someone who sets a viral internet trend. The “OG” on internet platforms like TikTok and Twitter can be used to refer to the original author or creator of a post or content that has been spread in multiple parts of the internet.

“OG” is also commonly utilized in hashtags on social media. Here are some examples:

#OGcreator #OGphotographer #OGmovies #OGfan #OGreader

#OGrappers #OGgamers

Part 4. How to Talk with Your Kid about Slang

4.1. Importance of understanding teen slang

First of all, as a parent, you need to be able to know the teen slang that your kids are using before addressing it with them. What is the importance of understanding teen slang though?

It is pertinent that you can understand these slangs so that you can know what your kids are saying and what is being said to your kids as well. While some like OG are relatively not dangerous, some other slang terms could potentially contain dangerous meanings, and using them could expose your children to unsafe people.

You also need to understand them so as not to find yourself unable to communicate with your children. Understanding teen slang can help you maintain open communication with your child and ensure their safety. While it is important to trust, you should also make sure to give them the proper guidance and right tools to navigate the internet properly.

4.2. Tips and examples for starting a conversation about slang with your child

Here are some tips for starting a conversation about slang with your child.

As mentioned earlier, the first thing is to be able to understand those slangs and if any inappropriate messages are being passed across, have an open conversation with your child on wholesome speaking.

You could even speak to your child with some of the more harmless slangs to build up a bond of familiarity between you.

However, make sure to inform your children of the need to interact professionally in certain areas like with teachers and employers, so that the slangs do not affect their vocabulary for those occasions.

Hence, you can provide your child with engaging books, and educational materials to expand their verbal skills and familiarity with more formal language.

Part 5. Staying Informed About Teen Slang: Using Parental Control Apps to Monitor Your kid's Phone Activity

Having a parental control app is essential for monitoring potential risks to your child on the internet. These apps allow you to control and track your child’s online activities, helping to safeguard them from various threats. One highly effective monitoring app for this purpose is Msafely.

5.1 What is Msafely

Msafely is a comprehensive phone monitoring and tracking app that provides users with detailed insights into the activities on a target phone.

With Msafely, you can monitor online activities, keeping an eye on your child's internet usage, including the websites they visit and the apps they use. You can also track communication to observe the type of language used in messages and online interactions, preventing exposure to inappropriate content.

5.2. Key features of Msafely

•  Monitor social media and messaging apps

Track activities on apps like Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and the SMS app.

•  Track browser activity

Keep an eye on the websites visited on the target phone.

•  Monitor phone calls

Track the phone calls made on the device.

•  Review photos and videos

Access the photos and videos stored on the phone.

•  Check backed-up contents

Examine the contents backed up on the phone’s drive.

•  Real-time sync

Monitor activities on the target device as they happen.

•  Stealth feature

Keep the app hidden and unnoticed on the target device.

5.3. Steps of using Msafely to monitor your kid's phone

Step 1. Register a free account with a valid email.

Step 2. Select the type of device you want to connect to, whether iPhone or Android.

Step 3. Select a suitable plan and connect the target phone with Msafely

Step 4. Start monitoring your kid's phone remotely. With Msafely, you can monitor more than 30 types of data on your child's cell phone, including text messages, location, contacts, installed software, browsing history and more.

Part 6. FAQs about OG

Q1. What does “OG” stand for?

As said earlier, “OG” is an abbreviation of the words “original gangster”, although these days it could just simply mean “original” or “original generation.”

Q2. Am I a gangster if I use the slang “OG”?

No, using the slang term “OG” does not make you a gangster. The term might have originated from gang culture but it now has a common use in communicating.

Q3. Can “OG” be used to describe things other than people?

Yes, you can use “OG” for original items or items that have a lot of history, for example, the “OG Nike sneakers” or “OG video games.”

Q4. Can “OG” be considered a compliment?

Yes, “OG” can be considered a compliment as it is most often used to show respect to an outstanding person in a certain area.

Q5. Is it wrong to use “OG”?

“OG” is a generally harmless and even positive slang that is just used to praise an authentic and extraordinary person. However, it can be negative if it is used to glorify gang culture or criminal activities.

Part 7. Conclusion

So basically, “OG” is a fun, colloquial expression that young people use as a slang term for someone who is exceptional, someone who is incredibly talented, someone who has made great achievements. It might have originated from gang culture but it is commonly used in informal communications among various young people.

Now, as a parent, you know what it means and how it can be used. You also know what to do in the case of any more concerns about your children using slangs that might be dangerous for them.