From Ollies to Shredding: 25 Essential Skater Slang Terms

‍Skater Slang: 25 Terms to Sound Like a Pro at the Skatepark

So, you’ve picked up a skateboard and are ready to hit the skatepark—but wait, what’s everyone saying? Whether it’s a crew talking about their latest "shred" or someone throwing out terms like "gnarly" and "kickflip," skate culture has its own language. And let’s be real: no one wants to feel out of the loop. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this list of 25 must-know skater slang terms. With these under your belt, you’ll not only know what’s going on, but you’ll sound like a natural. Let’s break it down, so next time you roll up, you’re feeling confident, not clueless.

1. Ollie

Meaning: The most basic skateboarding trick, where the rider jumps with the board into the air without grabbing it.
Why it’s important: This is the foundation of many other tricks.
Example: "You gotta master the ollie if you want to land more tricks."

2. Kickflip

Meaning: A trick where the skateboard flips 360 degrees along the board’s length while the rider is in the air.
Why it’s important: It’s a super popular trick that looks sick.
Example: "I finally landed my first kickflip today!"

3. Shred

Meaning: To skate really well or aggressively.
Why it’s important: You’ll hear this whenever someone is skating hard or killing it at the park.
Example: "Dude was shredding all day—those rails never stood a chance."

4. Gnarly

Meaning: Something wild, intense, or impressive.
Why it’s important: It’s a go-to word in skate culture for describing crazy tricks or sketchy situations.
Example: "That hill was gnarly, almost wiped out but held it!"

5. Grind

Meaning: Sliding along an edge (like a rail or curb) with the trucks (the metal parts that hold the wheels) of the skateboard.
Why it’s important: Grinds are a key part of skateboarding tricks.
Example: "I just learned how to grind a rail, feels epic!"

6. Half-Pipe

Meaning: A U-shaped ramp used for vertical skateboarding tricks.
Why it’s important: It’s a core element of vert skating, where pros pull off massive tricks.
Example: "I hit the half-pipe today, still working on my air."

7. Air

Meaning: Leaving the ground and getting airborne, usually off ramps or vert walls.
Why it’s important: More air = more trick potential.
Example: "He caught serious air off that quarter-pipe!"

8. Vert

Meaning: Short for vertical skateboarding, usually done on ramps or half-pipes.
Why it’s important: Vert skating is a style that involves big air and sick tricks.
Example: "You ever tried vert? It’s all about going big or going home."

9. Pop Shuvit

Meaning: A trick where the board spins 180 degrees while staying under the rider.
Why it’s important: It’s a basic but impressive trick that shows control.
Example: "I’m still practicing my pop shuvits, but they’re getting better."

10. Goofy

Meaning: Riding with your right foot forward (instead of the more common left foot forward, which is called "regular").
Why it’s important: It’s one of the two main stances in skateboarding.
Example: "I ride goofy, so that trick feels weird regular."

11. Regular

Meaning: Riding with your left foot forward, the most common stance in skateboarding.
Why it’s important: Knowing if you ride regular or goofy helps you figure out your comfort zone.
Example: "Are you regular or goofy?"

12. Fakie

Meaning: Skating backward while still in your usual stance.
Why it’s important: Fakie tricks add difficulty and style to your skating.
Example: "He pulled a clean fakie ollie right off the ledge."

13. Nollie

Meaning: An ollie done off the nose (front) of the skateboard instead of the tail (back).
Why it’s important: It’s a twist on the standard ollie and shows advanced control.
Example: "He just hit a nollie flip on flat ground—sick!"

14. Frontside (FS)

Meaning: Turning or spinning toward the front of your body (facing outward).
Why it’s important: Describes the direction of your tricks, which matters for judging difficulty.
Example: "He hit a frontside 180 over the stairs."

15. Backside (BS)

Meaning: Turning or spinning with your back facing the direction of travel.
Why it’s important: Like frontside, it explains which way a trick is done.
Example: "That backside grind was clean!"

16. Bail

Meaning: When you purposely jump off the board mid-trick to avoid falling or crashing.
Why it’s important: Everyone bails—it’s part of learning.
Example: "I had to bail before hitting the rail; wasn’t gonna make it."

17. Manual

Meaning: Riding on two wheels, either front or back, without the other two touching the ground.
Why it’s important: It’s a balance-heavy trick that looks smooth and controlled.
Example: "He held that manual for like 20 feet!"

18. Snake

Meaning: Someone who cuts in front of you or steals your turn at the skatepark.
Why it’s important: It’s a major no-no in skate culture.
Example: "Don’t be a snake—wait your turn."

19. Drop In

Meaning: Starting at the top of a ramp or ledge and riding down into it.
Why it’s important: It’s how most vert skaters start their runs.
Example: "I’m still learning how to drop in on the mini-ramp."

20. Rail

Meaning: A metal or concrete bar used for grinds or slides.
Why it’s important: Rails are a big part of street skating tricks.
Example: "I need to work on grinding rails—still getting the hang of it."

21. Switch

Meaning: Skating in the opposite of your normal stance.
Why it’s important: Switch tricks are harder because they feel unnatural.
Example: "That switch kickflip was insane!"

22. Sketchy

Meaning: When a trick or landing doesn’t look clean or smooth.
Why it’s important: You’ll hear this a lot when things don’t go perfectly.
Example: "That landing was sketchy, but at least you didn’t bail."

23. Board Slide

Meaning: Sliding the middle of your board along a rail or ledge.
Why it’s important: It’s one of the most basic, yet stylish grinds.
Example: "I finally nailed my first board slide on the curb!"

24. 180

Meaning: Spinning the board 180 degrees while in the air.
Why it’s important: Many tricks start with mastering the 180 spin.
Example: "He hit a clean 180 over the gap!"

25. Big Spin

Meaning: A 360-degree board spin combined with a 180-degree body rotation.
Why it’s important: It’s an impressive and visually cool trick.
Example: "Dude just landed a big spin down the stairs—gnarly!"

And there you have it—25 essential skateboarding slang terms to help you hit the park with confidence. Whether you're throwing down a clean ollie, practicing your grinds, or catching some air, these terms will keep you in the loop and feeling like a natural. Skating is all about pushing boundaries and having fun, so don’t be afraid to fall, bail, and try again—every skater started exactly where you are now. The skate community is all about good vibes, and understanding the lingo is just one more step in becoming part of it. As you get more comfortable, you’ll find yourself not only landing new tricks but picking up even more skate slang along the way. So gear up, practice hard, and keep the stoke high. You’ve got this—now go out there and shred!

#SkateboardingLife #ShredLikeAPro #SkaterVibes #LearnToSkate #SkateparkSlang