Slang dossier
Cap / no cap
Pronounced cap / noh cap
“Cap” means a lie or exaggeration; “no cap” means honestly or without exaggerating. These uses come from African American English rather than from a hat or spending limit.
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In a sentence
How it sounds
Illustrative examples
- “You finished all the homework in five minutes? That is cap.”
- “That was the best game of the season, no cap.”
Where teens use it
The habitat
Gaming reactions, comments, texts and friends checking each other’s claims.
Parent briefing
What parents should know
It can be playful skepticism or a serious accusation. Ask which claim is disputed, and encourage checking evidence rather than deciding that whoever sounds most confident is right.
Keep decoding
Related terms
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