# What is the meaning of "Oh, Snap"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089 "2002-12-11T20:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PolskiKing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@PolskiKing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PolskiKing)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/1 "2002-12-11T20:52:16Z")
Ive been hearing this phrase more and more. Its even written in graffiti on my study hall desk and its being said more n more by some of my classmates. But what exactly is the meaning of “Oh snap” and when would you use it? And is it really socially acceptable? =PK ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/2 "2002-12-11T20:58:25Z")
Whenever I’ve heard it, it’s been a euphemism. That is, people say “Oh snap!” when something bad happens, as a way to avoid saying a naughtier word. ---
**Author:** ![beefymeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@beefymeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beefymeg)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/3 "2002-12-11T21:09:41Z")
I think I’ve understood it to mean: “Ooooh, what an appropriate joke. You are very clever.” **Person A:** Your mama’s so fat, whenever someone says “Kool-Aid” she comes crashing through the wall! **Person B, whose mama IS fat** : Oh, snap! ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/4 "2002-12-11T21:24:51Z")
yeah, i’ve always heard it with regard to an insult–usually a humerous one like beefymeg mentioned. as a matter of fact, IIRC there were a couple of mama-joke books published and there was something about “Snaps” in their titles. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/5 "2002-12-11T21:27:07Z")
I agree with astorian. The thread reminded me of the Biz Markie song “You got what I need”. “Oh, snap, guess what I saw. A fella tounge kissing my girl on the mouth…” Definately used as an alternative to cursing when I use it. ---
**Author:** ![beefymeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@beefymeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beefymeg)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/6 "2002-12-11T21:51:40Z")
I think we’re all right. I think it’s a euphemasia for a naughtier s-word, and it can be used in a context to mean “good joke!” See _Airplane_: Jiveman1: Sheeeet. Subtitle: GOLLY. He could just as easily have said “Snap!” Don’t’cha think? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/7 "2002-12-11T21:56:57Z")
Oh snap! People still say this? I say it half jokingly quite often and people always laugh about what an oldschool saying it is. My friends and I used to say it when we were young kids ~15 years ago. It usually means “Oh yea!” when something dawns on you or “Oh crap!” when you hear bad news. However, it’s one of those words that, since it’s not a “real” word, it can mean just about anything. Take whatever context it’s used in, think of what word you would’ve used in its place, and that’s what it means. There was a song that used the term back in the late 80’s/early 90’s but I can’t remember the name of the group or the song. It was a female singer and the group was along the lines of C&C Music Factory (but I don’t think it was them.) ---
**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/8 "2002-12-11T22:01:43Z")
It relates surprise. You are surprised by the gall of the guy who just called someones mother a ho. Catch you girl cheating? Shocker. Goog or bad it means you are surprised by what you see/here. ---
**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/9 "2002-12-11T22:26:30Z")
Typo city. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/10 "2002-12-11T22:50:09Z")
In the context I hear it, it means “I’ve sussed it!” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/11 "2002-12-11T22:53:44Z")
I first heard it in the movie “Zoolander” a few years back, but then I’m totally and hopelessly unhip. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/12 "2002-12-11T23:17:14Z")
What does ‘sussed’ mean and why does it merit a rolleyes? ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/13 "2002-12-12T01:03:10Z")
I’ve sussed it! = I’ve got it! (as in figured it out, solved a puzzle/mystery/the light bulb goes on over one’s head, etc.) :rolleyes: just because I think it sounds goofy as hell. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/14 "2002-12-12T01:17:14Z")
God, I’m going to have to agree with your :rolleyes: then. That word _is_ stupid and annoying, it sounds like something my girlfriends Mom would say (except she would say “I’ve thuthed it!”) ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-oh-snap/142089/15 "2002-12-12T01:35:15Z")
I think the origin of “getting snapped on” is from the locker room. You know, wet towels and naked bodies don’t mix very well. WHIPPAHH. _snap_ So now being made fun of would be the equivalent of a verbal “snap”