When you’ve spent any period of time on the web, you’ve in all probability emerged with some key questions. Are we residing in a simulation? Are you able to really bounce realities utilizing quantum physics?
However there may be one query that’s an important of all.
What does ‘cap’ and ‘no cap’ imply?
To place it merely, “cap” refers to mendacity, whereas “no cap” means — you guessed it — telling the reality. In context, nonetheless, the time period can tackle a wide range of meanings.
Cap can be utilized to query whether or not or not somebody is being sincere, and no cap is usually used as a disclaimer to let folks know you’re not exaggerating or speaking your self up.
Capping is principally the act of mendacity or faking one thing.
Sometimes, the phrases are used within the context of boasting. If somebody is bragging about what number of vehicles they personal or what number of guys are of their DMs, it’s attainable they’re “capping” so as to make themselves look cooler.
This time period, like most developments nowadays, has change into notably well-liked on the video-sharing app TikTok. TikTok customers continuously fill feedback sections with the phrase cap or, to make issues simpler, merely throw in a cap emoji, normally in response to a narrative or video that they don’t imagine.
Whether or not it’s some man exaggerating an interplay he had with a woman, or somebody poorly staging a prank they declare is actual, you’ll be able to typically discover that their remark part has extra caps in it than a baseball discipline.
Origins of the Phrases ‘Cap’ and ‘No Cap’
This time period and all of its derivatives in all probability discovered its method to TikTok due to the viral tune “No Mentions” by YoungBoy By no means Broke Once more (the rapper also referred to as NBA YoungBoy or simply YoungBoy) that TikTokers like to lip-sync to.
After rapping about his “new Maybach” and counting “fifties all in hunnids,” NBA YoungBoy warns off any doubters, assuring followers that these claims are “no cap.”
However cap didn’t start on TikTok. It is a slang time period borrowed primarily from the rap neighborhood however now exists in all kinds of contexts on and off the web.
The popularization of the time period grew in 2017 due to Future and Younger Thug’s collaboration on the observe “No Cap.” The Atlanta rappers use the tune to boast their successes, itemizing off the vehicles and designer clothes they’ve purchased due to their fame. And provided that the pair have a mixed web price of $48 million, it’s secure to imagine there is no such thing as a capping occurring within the tune.
Previous to this 2017 launch, Chief Keef collaborator Gino Marley used the time period on the 2011 observe “Simply In Case” to say, “I am not with the lackin’ / No slackin’, no cappin’,” seemingly referring to his need to earn his wealth honestly and never have interaction within the braggadocios exaggerations that we see in lots of different rap lyrics.
However Genius tracked the time period “no cap” again to the Eighties the place it appeared in tracks by Too Quick, Willie D, Geto Boys, and UGK all through the last decade. In these songs, the lyrics are “excessive cap” or “excessive cappin’,” however the context would recommend this model of the time period means the identical as the trendy “no cap.”
Genius additionally spoke to a linguistic professor, Dr. Sharese King, who urged the time period in all probability got here from a recreation of “taking part in the handfuls,” identified in some areas as capping.
The sport entails buying and selling exaggerated insults and may be traced via the African-American neighborhood again so far as instances of slavery. Bear in mind these “Yo mama” jokes you used as a child? That was capping.
Like all phrases, “cap” has taken on new meanings and advanced all through language and music to change into what it means right this moment.
How you can Use ‘Cap,’ ‘No Cap’ and ‘Capping’
1. Use ‘cap’ to convey a lie, an exaggerated scenario, or something perceived as an untruth.
“There’s no manner that actually occurred. That’s cap.”
2. Use ‘no cap’ to say ‘no lie’ or ‘for actual,’ sometimes used as a disclaimer for something that could possibly be perceived as ‘cap.’
“Dude, I do know this sounds faux, however no cap.”
3. Use ‘cappin” or ‘capping’ to imply ‘mendacity’ or ‘faking.’
“He instructed me it was only a boys evening, however I do know he’s capping.”
4. Use ‘capper’ to explain somebody who lies or is faking.
“She all the time pretends to love everybody however she’s a capper.”
Alice Kelly is YourTango’s former Deputy Information and Leisure Editor. Based mostly in Brooklyn, New York, her work covers all issues social justice, popular culture, and human curiosity. Sustain along with her Twitter for extra.
