Melt (n.) — Someone who is veritably soft, in a way that brings disrepute to their character. ( Love Island is a safe space for emotional expression— within reason.) Prang (adj.) — Anxious or irritable; this term is most prominently used by Niall at the onset of Season 4. Often used by the Love Island lads as a way to describe a girl in the villa, if they're calling someone a "right sort" (emphasis on the 'sort'), they're saying that the girl is incredibly attractive or good-looking. This phrase is even better if it's said in a *proper* Essex accent—which is the UK county it originated in. 28. Early days We have Shakespeare, John Milton and Chaucer to thank for conjuring up hundreds of new ways of expressing ourselves by messing about with prefixes, suffixes, verbs and nouns. While mobile phones, iPads and social media mean that, today, we increasingly use abbreviations - FOMO, LOL and OMG. Some of us have even started describing how we feel via emoji, rather than actual words.

Another saying that's borrowed from pop culture, “sauce” is a sense of confidence and charisma that you give off that is unique to you. It’s like an extra va-va-voom or, as the French would say, "je ne sais quoi". It simply can't be bought. 19. Melt But now a new group of perma-tanned sun-worshipers are changing the face of linguistics again. Since arriving in their Spanish villa, the contestants on reality show Love Island have been using a bewildering array of slang that's had us scratching our heads. End of the day (phrase) — An expression signaling that the declarative statement that follows will be a total summation of the matter at hand. This phrase isn’t exactly exclusive to Love Island, but please note that it is used CONSTANTLY. Bantering (ger.) — The act of teasing or kidding (used in a sentence: “Are you bantering me?”). Whereas “banter” is a positive thing, “bantering” often carries a negative connotation. Gutted (adj.) — To be emotionally devastated; in Love Island parlance, those who are gutted traditionally add the adverb “absolutely” to accentuate the extent to which they have been gutted.This is a sentence we hear a lot on the show in many different scenarios. When the Islanders have a grievance they want to air, or simply want to try and "graft" someone, they go for the classic "can I pull you for a chat?"—which is usually followed by them making a beeline for the bean bags or the fire pit, where all the deep conversations, arguments, or flirty banter tend to take place. 17. Loyal Used in a sentence: "I definitely think we've got a connection. So... naked hot tub sesh?" The Do Bits Society/DBS As per (phrase) — A shortened version of “as per usual,” often used with a hint of sarcasm to signify the predictability of someone’s actions. Can’t be arsed (phrase) — A state of uncaring (the American analog here is “couldn’t care less;” though it should be noted that when Islanders say they “can’t be arsed,” the truth is that, in fact, they could very much be arsed). Punching (v.) — A shortened version of “punching up,” it is the act of dating out of one’s league. Chris of Season 3 frequently proclaimed to be “punching” in his relationship with Olivia—but Chris is now dating a member of Little Mix, so who was really the one punching?

Dead (adv.) — A word used to add emphasis, such as, “That man is dead fit.” (See below for the definition of “fit.”) But because I’ve completed many viewings of Love Island, I now feel confident I can explain the Islanders’ language. It’s important to note that while watching the U.S. version of Love Island, you’ll likely not hear most, if any, of these terms—surely, the American Islanders will construct their own lexicon—but the following dictionary will still be helpful as a guide to the show, and how it works. And at the very least, after reading it you’ll be able to yell “muggy!” at the TV, which is really the whole point. Used in a sentence: "I'm not gonna lie to you, she's come into the villa, and my head's been turned." Putting all your/my eggs in one basketCringe (adj.) — Used to describe the peak awkwardness of a person or situation—or, in much rosier circumstances, the unbearably adorable romance of a situation or person’s actions. Bellend (n.) — The, uh, tip of a penis; a derogatory word most famously used by a salty-ass Jonny on Season 3 of Love Island: Screenshots via ITV This popular internet term (especially amongst Gen-Z) became Whitney from Love Island 2023's catchphrase, as she would often describe situations or people as "giving." As has been referred to in numerous High School rom-coms and adult womanhood in general, the Love Island“girl code” is a carbon copy of the age-old 'hoes before bros' rule—a code of respect amongst girls that should never be broken, even for the hottest of men. It often comes out on the show when a girl goes after another girl's partner—sometimes without letting her know first. 12. It is what it is Slag (n.) — A disgraceful, derogatory term akin to “slut.” The Love Island villa is a place of acceptance, forward thinking, and sexual freedom, and thus, slag is one of the worst words one can utter while on the show. (Season 2’s Tom, also known as “the worst,” was one such offender.)