Raising What does simp mean? The kids' slang, explained for parents
What does simp mean? "Simp" is an insult for a boy or man seen as too attentive and submissive to a girl or woman. Dictionary.com traces it to 1980s and 1990s hip-hop slang; it went mainstream on TikTok in late 2019. It's now also used loosely for having a crush. Dictionary.com notes it's criticized for stereotyping both men and women.
Simp at a glance
| Means | An insult for men seen as too attentive and submissive to women source |
|---|---|
| Also | Now used loosely for having a crush |
| From | 1980s–90s hip-hop slang; mainstream on TikTok from December 2019 |
| Criticized | For stereotyping both men and women, per Dictionary.com |
Checked October 2026. Slang changes fast; meanings can differ between groups of kids.
What does simp mean?
Short answer: A put-down for being "too nice" to someone you like.
- "He's a simp" means he does too much for a girl.
- "Simping" means acting that way.
- More loosely, "I'm simping" can just mean "I have a crush."
Where simp came from
According to Dictionary.com, hip-hop in the late 1980s and 1990s used "simp" for a man seen as overly subservient to a woman. Separately, "simp" was short for "simpleton" in the early 1900s; the link is unclear. The word spread on social media in 2019, TikTok's "Simp Nation" trend made it mainstream in December 2019, and "No Simp September" went viral in 2020. The idea that simp is an acronym isn't true, Dictionary.com says.
Is simp a bad word?
Short answer: It isn't a swear word, but it's an insult. Dictionary.com says it's criticized for treating attentive men as weak and for implying women are manipulative.
The habit kids may copy: mocking kindness
Boys can hear "simp" when they help or compliment a girl. The insult is aimed at the kindness itself.
Try tonight: is helping weak?
Ask: "If a boy helps a girl carry her things, is that weak or brave?" Then talk about a time your child helped someone. In our program, this is the lesson "Courage": being yourself takes courage too.
FAQ
Is simp an acronym?
No. Dictionary.com says that's a popular myth; it comes from hip-hop slang.
Is simp a bad word?
It isn't a swear word, but it's an insult.
What does simping mean?
Acting overly attentive to someone you like; also loosely, having a crush.
When did simp become popular?
It went mainstream on TikTok in December 2019, per Dictionary.com.
Related
How to Teach Kids Kindness: Noticing Comes Before Niceness
How to teach kids kindness at ages 4–7: why it starts with noticing, what to do instead of a forced apology, and kindness activities a 5-year-old can really do.
Read next →Raising Stoics is a 12-week program for ages 5–6, built on Stoic philosophy and developmental psychology. One lesson is "Courage": being yourself takes courage too.