Buzz
Curious about why everyone’s calling each other “unc” these days?
On TikTok, you’ve likely come across someone being called “unc” or described as having “unc status.” It’s a playful nod to someone being older, and it stems from African American Vernacular English. In this guide, we’ll break down what “unc” really means, how to spot someone with “unc status,” ways to use it naturally, its cultural origins, and other trending slang terms to help you stay fluent in online speak.
The Meaning Behind “Unc”
Originating from African American Vernacular English, “unc” is a casual abbreviation for “uncle.” On platforms like TikTok and Twitter/X, it’s often used to playfully label someone as old or behaving older than their actual age.
How-To Guide
What “Unc” Really Means
“Unc” is slang for “uncle” and is used to tease someone for acting older. On TikTok and Twitter/X, “unc” comes from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and typically refers to someone with “uncle energy”—older in behavior, a bit quirky, and amusingly out of step with the times. You know, like that one lovable but slightly odd uncle in every family.
- Saying someone has “unc status” is just another way of saying they’ve got strong uncle vibes.
- Example: “Jared shows up solo to every family event with flashy gadgets. Total unc behavior.”
- Example: “Jeff watches 60 Minutes for fun. Classic unc move.”
How to Spot Unc Vibes
You’ve got “unc status” if you act older than your years. We all know someone like this. They’re your age but live like it’s two decades ago. They say things no one their age says. They still turn the radio dial. They just spent a fortune customizing their car with a paint job only an unc would love.
- They’re into reruns of M*A*S*H or Family Matters.
- They grunt when lifting anything heavy.
- They grunt when sitting down or getting up.
- They’re always moaning about back or joint pain.
- They bust out phrases like “back in my day.”
- They can’t name any current musicians.
- They’re clueless about modern slang.
- They’ve got a corporate 9-to-5 with benefits and a breakroom.
How to Use the Word “Unc”
Call someone “unc” or say they’ve got “unc status” when they’re acting way older than they should. Got a buddy who's already leaning into their senior era at 19? Or maybe they’re just undeniably aging? “Unc” is your go-to way to poke fun at their old-man energy.
- Example: “Come on, unc, I’m way too quick for you now. Maybe back in the day you had a chance.”
- Example: “Unc, you’re still rocking that 2015 phone? Time for an upgrade!”
You can also use “unc” to refer to your real-life uncle. While the slang is fun, “unc” can literally just mean your actual uncle—even if he doesn’t fit the typical unc stereotype. But let’s be real, he probably does. That’s family for you.
- Example: “My unc’s picking me up soon. Ice cream run incoming.”
- Example: “What’s good, unc? Been a while—how’s Aunt Carol doing?”
Where “Unc” Comes From
“Unc” blew up on TikTok thanks to a 2021 video. In June 2021, user @callmechosen85 posted a video titled “When You Realize You’ve OFFICIALLY Reached ‘Unc Status…’” where someone casually calls him “unc,” followed by him sitting on the sidewalk in deep thought. The clip hit 900,000 views and played a key role in spreading the slang online.
Rappers like Gucci Mane helped make “unc” a thing. Long before TikTok took it viral, artists like Gucci Mane used the term—check out his 2014 track “On The Way.” J. Cole also used it in his 2018 song “Brackets.” Their influence helped bring the word into wider culture before it blew up on social media.
“Unc” is deeply rooted in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). While “unc” is often used playfully online, it comes from a culturally rich background. Historically, African American communities have used the term not just for biological uncles, but as a way to describe familial roles and experiences that are closely tied to cultural identity and personal history.
Similar Slang Terms
Oldhead This AAVE expression refers to someone older—often with wisdom, old-school preferences, or life experience they’re ready to pass down to the younger generation.
- Example: “Jamie’s a real oldhead—he showed me how to rebuild an engine from scratch.”
Beekeeping age A humorous phrase for an older guy who’s still got it. The term comes from Rick and Morty, in a scene where characters admire an older man calmly tending to his bees.
- Example: “I’m done with the boys. I need someone who’s beekeeping age.”
