Vaping is an ever-growing culture whose verbal communication techniques are constantly growing and expanding, particularly amongst the youth. Chances are you have heard some if not most of the slang and terminology we will be discussing, and if not, we are glad to have saved you a little embarrassment.
Vape slang stems from the culture – the people, their habits, and the lifestyle that come with it. Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll understand a bit more about vape lingo and the slang that has developed over the years.
Vape Culture
What started out as a tool to combat the harmful effects of smoking quickly became a popular culture phenomenon all on its own. When vapes first entered the market, people quickly realised the convenience and benefits of vaping and over time, different types of vapers started to emerge.
Cloud chasers, stealth vapers, casual disposable users and many more, fall under the large umbrella of e-cigarette users. As with many things, people with similar interests tend to group together when given a chance, and it’s no different with the vaping community.
Over time, an array of new vaping terminology and slang has emerged to shorten long descriptive names and have a shorthand when communicating – many of these phrases are typically used to compare different devices.
Since the bulk of vape users are aged under 30 with an exponentially rising popularity amongst those aged 18 – 29 each year, naturally there are some phrases that have emerged and became semi-permanent amongst vape users.
15 Common Vape Slang Terms
People like to socialise and compare all the different components of their vaping experiences; whether it be the style of vaping, the type of flavour they use or even tips and tricks aimed to create the ultimate personal vaping experience.
Here are 15 vape slang terms you’ll come across often:
- ADV: All-day-vape. This refers to a vape flavour or e-liquid that can be vaped “all day” without becoming redundant or excessive. For example, some extremely sweet flavours are enjoyable for short periods of time, after which it becomes “too much”. An ADV will differ from person to person. Some people’s ADV is a simple tobacco flavour, while others’ can be something fruity. It’s all up to personal taste!
- Boxy: Referring to a person, in this case, one who loves vaping from box mods. Box mods are box-shaped vaping devices that lay emphasis on DTL [direct-to-lung] vaping, and usually have an adjustable wattage output, customizable coils, tanks and mouthpieces. In comparison, box mods generally have greater potential for customization.
- Cart: Short for cartridge. A cartridge is used in pod kits and contains both the coil and e-liquid. The unit is replaceable. Alternatively, only the coil is removed and replaced back into the cartridge.
- Cigalike: A vape that is shaped like a cigarette or has similar characteristics. Examples of cigalikes are generally found in disposable vapes and are cylindrical. Additionally, there is no firing button and contains only one flavour for the entirety of its lifespan. Cigalikes generally cannot be customised.
- Cloud Chaser: Referring to a person or type of vaper – a cloud chaser is defined as a vaper who vapes purely (or mostly) for the sake of creating thick, dense vapour. This may be purely for the sake of how it looks, feels, or what fancy tricks they can pull off with it. Cloud chasers usually vape DTL box mods with low nicotine levels, due to the intensity of vapour delivery.
- E-Cigar: A shortened term for “e-cigarette”, which is the formal term when describing a vape. The term E-cigar can be used to describe any type of vape, but mostly revolves around cigalike or pod-system vapes.
- Flavour Ghosting: Ever tasted your previous flavour after filling your tank with a new flavour? Yes, that’s flavour ghosting. This normally doesn’t last longer than 5 drags on average, but can be semi-permanent if a cheap and very prominent e-liquid has stained your coil beforehand.
- Hit: Refers to taking a drag from your vaporizer, aka inhaling vapour that is produced by your vape. For practicality; “Jane took a few hits after her meal, and was satisfied”
- Hookah Stick: A pen-shaped vape, also usually cylindrical, and are generally disposable. Hookah sticks are typically longer than a cigalike, but are mostly the same product other than size and shape. Hookah sticks are also purchased with a set number of drags and an irreplaceable flavour.
- Juice: Another term for “e-liquid”, “vape-liquid” or “e-juice” – the liquid that a vape uses to produce vapour.
- Noob: Referring to someone who is new to the vaping scene, someone who recently started vaping.
- Skitzin: A term used to define a condition caused by excessive vaping; someone would be called “skitzin” if they are anxious, shaking or having trouble focusing as a side effect of vaping.
- Vape Whore: Vulgar slang, we know. This term is, from time to time, used to label people who register to vaping community sites (and similar online presences) only to leach on free stuff instead of actually participating and providing value. For example, some online vaping communities offer an X amount of free hookah sticks or disposables for the first 100 people to register as an incentive. Someone can easily register, collect the merchandise, and leave.
- Vaper: Referring to anyone who uses a vape. It’s actually a pretty simple word-play between the words “vape” and “user” You’re generally dubbed as a vaper when vaping is your primary way of nicotine consumption, or even when you simply vape 0% nicotine e-juices for your personal reason(s), whether it be taste or simply to socialise.
- Vaper’s Tongue: A common condition among regular vapers that inhibits you to taste your vape flavour in the same intensity you normally would, if at all. This is caused by long-term vaping of the same flavour or by excessively vaping the same flavour for a shorter period of time.
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Vape Terminology
Understanding vaping lingo can greatly improve communication and make your next purchase so much easier.
It’s all the nitty-gritty words used by vapers that aren’t widely known – and can help you understand all the interesting components of vaping at a connoisseur’s level.
Battery/Batt: The words “battery” and “batt” mean the same thing – the power supply of your device. These can either be rechargeable or disposable.
Blanks: Referring to empty cartridges that do not contain e-liquid upon purchase. These are naturally refillable.
Cartridge: A container for both your e-liquid and coil. Cartridges can contain a coil upon purchase, or not. In some cases, they’re referred to as “pods”.
Clone: A knock-off or reproduced vaping device similar to the original, with less quality.
Closed Pod System: A vaping device that operates using a pod that contains both your coil and e-liquid, providing an average of 200-500 puffs. Neither the coil nor e-liquid is replaceable/refillable and is disposed of and replaced when needed.
Clouds: A trendy term used for thick vapour density in large quantities. “Blowing clouds” are one of the main reasons people vape, other than nicotine consumption.
Vape pen: Much like a hookah stick in terms of shape, vape pens are cylindrical and contain a cartridge, atomizer and a power supply – vape pens are usually not disposable. The cartridge is refilled with e-liquid and the device is rechargeable. The only significant characterising feature of a vape pen is its similar shape to an actual pen.
Dab pen: Much like a vape pen in size and shape, a dab pen is used to vaporise THC concentrates.
Disposables; A vaping device that is designed to be used for a certain amount of puffs, after which it has to be discarded due to its inability for replaceable/refillable parts. Disposables are much cheaper than “permanent” vaping devices.
Mod: A vape mod is a vaping device that requires no electrical circuit or electronic components to operate, but rather relies on the user to depress a firing button in order to make contact between the coil and the battery atomizer. Vape mods are more expensive than vape pens/cigalikes. As mentioned above, one of the most popular mods are box mods.
Open/refillable system: Referring to vaping devices in 3 general categories: box mods, vape pens and refillable pod systems. The main thing here is that pods/tanks are not discarded after use, but rather refilled. These types of devices are popular among vaping hobbyists as they require a little more upkeep and can be customised to fit your style in most cases.
Tank: A compartment of a vaping device that holds the e-liquid. Tanks are mostly refillable and contain a coil as well. (Not always included upon purchase)
Pod: A non-reusable and (very rarely) pre-filled container that slides into the device and comes into contact with the battery. Pods contain the device coil as well.
Starter kit: The perfect kit for newcomers to vaping. It usually includes the device itself, one or two coils, a battery, charger and in some cases, pre-filled e-liquid. If not, you can simply purchase your favourite or preferred e-liquid and fill the tank/pod yourself.
Stealth vaping/Zero: Not fully exhaling the vapour after taking a puff in an attempt to hide use. This can include one of a few techniques. You can read all about stealth vaping here.
