poppin

Everyday

1. (slang) Exciting, lively and busy, full of people and fun: «The party is poppin'.» tree →
2. (slang) Looking great or bright and standing out: «Those colours are poppin'.» tree →
3. (slang greeting) «What's poppin'?» means «What's happening? How are you?» tree →
4. Just a spoken way of writing «popping», the -ing form of «pop» (bursting, going quickly somewhere). tree →

In the lessons

In real speech and songs young people use it to praise something lively or stylish. In stories it tells the reader the character speaks in casual slang. The apostrophe shows a dropped g. Phrases: «what's poppin'?», «the place is poppin'», «poppin' off».

Examples

• What's poppin', guys? tree →
• The skate park was poppin' on Saturday. tree →
• Her new trainers are poppin' with that neon green. tree →
• I'm just poppin' to the shops, back in five. tree →
• The corn kept poppin' in the pan. tree →
• The bakery was poppin' the morning they gave away free doughnuts. tree →
• Those stickers really make your folder poppin'. tree →

Note

Informal spelling of «popping»; in neat writing and exams write «popping». The apostrophe stands for the missing g (poppin'). Slang words change fast and can sound odd if overused or used by adults trying to sound young.