VSCO girl: Where did 'and I oop' and 'sksksk' come from?

Many of the VSCO girl expressions originated in black LGBT culture

This is what 'and I oop' means (Stock)

As the VSCO girl trend continues to gain popularity on social media, the subculture is changing the way teens communicate.

VSCO girls, an online identity that has risen out of apps such as TikTok and Instagram, refers to millennials and Gen Zers who dress and act in a way that is nearly indistinguishable from one another.

In addition to a lifestyle comprised of scrunchie hair bands, reusable straws and oversized t-shirts, the VSCO girl identity also encompasses a language, created from viral memes and internet expressions.

But this language is not new, as it originated within the LGBT black community, before it was later adopted by VSCO girls.

What does "sksksk" mean?

One of the most popular phrases used among those who identify as VSCO girls is “sksksk,” which is used to express amazement, shock or excitement, according to Know Your Meme.

The phrase, which is typically typed out, is meant to show that you are responding by frantically pressing buttons on your keyboard, and can be used in place of “oh my god” or laughter.

The catch-all response can also be used to express awkwardness.

Prior to being used by VSCO girls, the phrase was used in ASMR videos, where people would repeat the “sk” sound, according to Know Your Meme.

However, the origins of the phrase go back even further, with BuzzFeed pointing out “sksksk” originated in the black LGBT community.

“Before VSCO girls were even a thing, sksksksk was also associated with the ‘stan community.’ That term, ‘stan,’ comes from the Eminem song of the same name, about an obsessive fan,” BuzzFeed writer Lauren Strapagiel writes, explaining that Stan Twitter is known for using phrases that come from black women and black LGBT culture.

Since it was adopted by VSCO girls, when the noise is spoken out loud, often in YouTube, Instagram or TikTok videos, it is typically done ironically to mimic how VSCO girls sound.

What does “and I oop” mean?

The phrase most commonly associated with VSCO girls is “and I oop”, which, like “sksksk,” can be used to express shock, surprise or embarrassment.

Interestingly, this expression also has roots in LGBT black culture. Unlike sksksk, the origin of this phrase is more direct. “And I oop” went viral after it was said by drag queen Jasmine Masters in a 2015 YouTube video, according to dictionary.com.

Masters' video, which has been viewed more than 2m times, spurred the creation of countless memes and the eventual adoption of the phrase by VSCO girls.

Since then, the phrase has been used to imply that you had to stop speaking mid-sentence because you were shocked or in pain.

According to Urban Dictionary, "and I oop" is used when “something or someone does something that catches you off guard or catches your attention”. It can also be “a response to a very bold statement or action” or the response when “someone is so good looking that you are taken aback by their looks”.

What does “save the turtles” mean?

A dedication to environmental advocacy is a common trait among those who identify as VSCO girls, with wing mural backdrops, reusable metal straws and water flasks common VSCO girl accessories.

Stemming from their concern for the environment, VSCO girls often interject “save the turtles” into their conversations - meaning they literally want you to save the animals, possible by using a metal straw of your own.

Overall, the language used by VSCO girls has become a key part of the identity, both by those who embrace the expressions and those who use them ironically.

The headline on this article has been altered, and further information on the origins of the terms included.