What does it mean to be ‘shook’?
‘Shook’ is a popular slang term you’ll often see on social media. It means you’re feeling extremely surprised, shocked, or emotionally overwhelmed by something.
When you use ‘shook’, you’re expressing that an event or news has left you stunned or rattled. It’s a way to show your strong reaction to unexpected situations.
The term comes from the past tense of ‘shake’, but it’s now used as an adjective in informal speech. You might say “I’m shook” after hearing shocking news or seeing a surprising video online.
Remember, ‘shook’ is casual slang. It’s best for social media posts or chats with friends, not formal writing.
Where did ‘shook’ come from?
The word “shook” has roots in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE). It’s the past tense of “shake,” but it’s taken on a new life in slang.
In the 1990s, hip-hop artists like Mobb Deep made “shook” popular. Their song “Shook Ones” used it to mean emotionally affected or scared.
Since then, “shook” has spread through music and social media. Artists like 2Pac and Nicki Minaj have used it in their lyrics. Now, you might see it online to express surprise or shock.
On social platforms, you can use “shook” when you’re really surprised. It’s a quick, punchy way to react to shocking news or events.
How is ‘shook’ used online?
“Shook” pops up all over social media to show extreme surprise or shock. You might see it when someone’s favorite celeb does something unexpected:
“OMG, Taylor Swift just dropped a surprise album! I’m so shook right now!”
It’s also used for viral moments:
“That plot twist in the season finale has me shook!”
People often pair “shook” with emojis like 😱 or 😳 to amp up the effect. You’ll spot it in comments, X-posts (formerly tweets), and captions across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Sometimes, it’s stretched out for emphasis:
“I just won concert tickets! I’m shoooook!”