Merch as Slang: What It Means & How to Use It on TikTok

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How to use merch like a true Chicagoan
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If you’ve ever been to Chicago or you hear a lot of Gen Z slang on TikTok, you may have heard the word “merch” and wondered what it means. In addition to being an abbreviation for merchandise, merch is a slang term originating in Chicago that means to prove something. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about merch, including what it means, how to use it as slang, and the term’s origins. Plus, learn alternate meanings of the word and other slang terms specific to Chicago.

What does merch mean in Chicago?

While “merch” is usually short for merchandise, in Chicago, it means to prove something. You might say “merch” when you think someone is lying or exaggerating as a way to say “prove it.” Alternatively, say “merch” to swear that what you’re saying is true and that you can back it up with evidence.

Section 1 of 5:

What does merch mean in slang?

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  1. While most people know “merch” as an abbreviation for merchandise, it is often used differently in Chicago and/or by Gen Z. This meaning of the word originated in Chicago, Illinois, and is said when you want proof of something. [1]
    • For example, if someone tells you a mutual friend has been talking behind your back, you might say “merch” instead of saying “prove it.”
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Use Merch

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  1. If someone says something and you suspect they’re lying or exaggerating, say “Merch” as a way of asking them to prove it. Alternatively, if you’re the one who needs to prove what you’re saying, “merch” is another way of saying something like “I swear,” “ No cap ,” or “I have proof.” Here are some examples: [2]
    • “I’m telling the truth. I’ll merch it on my mama.”
    • “You’re actually going to ask your crush out? Merch!”
    • “I just found $100 on the ground, and I can merch it.”
Section 3 of 5:

Merch Slang Origins

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  1. Like many slang terms and phrases, the exact origin of merch being used this way is hard to pinpoint. However, it has historically been used almost exclusively in Chicago, leaving many non-Chicagoans confused when they hear the word in this context. [3]
  2. Over recent years, young people have begun using merch in this context even if they’re not originally from Chicago. This is likely because of the rise of slang on sites like TikTok , where users can watch videos from creators all over the world.
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Section 4 of 5:

Alternate Meanings of Merch

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  1. While merch is an abbreviation for any type of merchandise, it is often used when referring to items sold in relation to a fandom, like a band, sports team, TV show, or movie. Popular merch items include things like T-shirts and accessories. [4]
    • For example, if you bought a T-shirt advertising your favorite singer’s new album, you bought merch.
  2. When influencers or celebrities get paid to post products or ads on their platforms, like Instagram, some might say they’re merching. This likely comes from the word’s associations with merchandise and merchants. [5]
    • For example, you might say “Do you follow the Kardashians on Instagram? They’re always merching.”
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Section 5 of 5:

Other Chicago Slang Terms

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  1. Flodgin’ is another slang word that’s pretty exclusive to Chicago, and it means lying. Someone might say “Stop flodgin’” when they know you aren’t telling the truth or when you’re pretending to be someone or something you aren’t. [6]
    • For example, “Stop flodgin’. I literally saw you take money out of my purse.”
    • The word “flodgin’” may have come from “camouflaging,” meaning to hide or conceal something.
  2. A “fin” is a five-dollar bill. This slang term may be used in other parts of the United States and Canada, but it is most commonly used in Chicago. If someone asks you for a fin, they’re asking you to give them five dollars. [7]
    • For example, “Can you spot me a fin so I can get a snack?”
  3. Calling dibs means to claim something ahead of time, but in Chicago, the term often has a very specific meaning. Chicagoans often call dibs to claim their parking spots in winter, and they do so by placing random belongings, like patio furniture or suitcases, in the parking lot. [8]
    • For example, if you just shoveled a bunch of snow out of your parking spot and you don’t want someone to take it after all your hard work, put a lawn chair in the spot as your dibs.
  4. In Chicago, house parties are often called kickbacks. Kickbacks differ from regular parties because they’re more chill and laid back while regular parties may be more lively and rowdy. Kickbacks are for friends to hang out together and relax. [9]
    • For example, “Hey, we’re having a kickback at my house tomorrow night if you want to come.”
  5. In Chicago, “wearing the jacket” isn’t always literal. Dating back to the city’s gangster days, the phrase “wear the jacket” often means taking the blame for something or taking the fall for a crime. [10]
    • This phrase comes from the cardboard or paper covering of a criminal case, known as the jacket. When someone was prosecuted, they “wore the jacket.”
    • For example, you might say, “I knew he’d get in serious trouble if he got caught, so I wore the jacket instead.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture/august-2018/24-phrases-youll-only-hear-in-chicago/
      2. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Merching
      3. ↑ https://www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture/august-2018/24-phrases-youll-only-hear-in-chicago/
      4. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merch
      5. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Merching
      6. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flodgin
      7. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fin#:~:text=slang,%3A%20a%205%2Ddollar%20bill
      8. ↑ https://news.wttw.com/2024/01/08/wttw-news-explains-uniquely-chicago-tradition-dibs
      9. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=kickback
      1. ↑ https://www.chicagomag.com/news/someone-has-to-wear-the-jacket/

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