Simping Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

If you’re a Gen-Zer — or desperately clinging onto what’s left of your youth — you’re probably on TikTok. And if you’re on TikTok, you’ve likely come across a number of trendy memes, phrases, and words, such as “simping.”

A verb that’s used to describe the action of being a simp, “simping” is everywhere these days — but what exactly does it mean, and where did the term come from? We’ll tell you. Read on to get the full scoop on simping. 

What Is the Definition of Simping?

To begin our journey to understanding the word simping, let’s explore a few definitions provided by three trusted English dictionaries: 

• In the realm of Internet slang, Definitions.net defines simping as a behavior where a person (usually male) is excessively deferential, engages in constant flattery, or does way too much for a person they like.

• According to Word Sense, simping is the present participle of simp — aka, the verb version of “simp.” 

• Your Dictionary says when a person has a huge crush on someone who isn’t interested at all, the crushee is said to be simping. 

After reviewing the definitions above, we can conclude that simping is a slang term used to describe someone who shows excessive sympathy and attention toward another individual (typically someone who doesn’t reciprocate the same feelings) in order to win their affection. 

In other words, it describes an allegedly unbalanced relationship between two people, often where only one person has romantic feelings for the other.

What Is a Simp?

Although the general consensus on just about every social media platform is that “simp” is an acronym for “Sucker Idolising Mediocre Pussy,” you may be surprised to learn that the meaning of simp is not that exciting. 

Derived from the word “simpleton,” the popular word got its start as a way to mock or insult men who pander to women in an effort to sleep with them. Over time, the buzzy term evolved, and “simp” is now often used to refer to anyone who treats a woman with courtesy, kindness, and respect.

While that might sound romantic in a traditional sense, the verb simping is usually associated with begging or groveling.

What Is the Origin of Simp?

The word simp can be traced back to 1903; however, it made its first appearance in 1923 when the New York Times mocked “bachelor simps” who shared their earnings with their wives. 

Simp was an insulting way to say someone is being soft and overly sympathetic up until the 1980s, but its current usage is linked to West Coast American rappers like E-40, E.M.C., and Too Short. These rappers are thought to have coined the term in the mid-1980s to denote the opposite of “pimp.” 

In 1992, the hip-hop band Boyz II Men released a hit song called “Sympin’ Ain’t Easy,” using a different spelling of the word. In 1999, the word simp was used in the Three 6 Mafia song, “Sippin’ on Some Syrup.” At the time, simp was often used to describe someone who is stupid. 

It wasn’t until 2005 that the current definition of simp appeared in the Urban Dictionary. 

How Did Simp Become a Popular Slang Term?

Simp began to trend on TikTok thanks to a TikTok user named Marco Borghi, aka “polo. boyy.” 

The influencer uploaded the first “Simp Nation” video to his millions of followers, simply saying: “If she rants to you about her relationship problems and you comfort her, welcome to the Simp Nation.”

#SimpNation quickly became a viral hashtag as TikTokers posted videos with captions that described apparent simp behaviors. 

These popular videos were meant as harmless jokes, but they were also hyper-masculine and a bit misogynist — both for reinforcing normative gender roles and for presenting “nice guys” as being “soft” or weak.

Examples of the Word Simping in a Sentence

Now that you understand what the word simp and its verb simping mean, it’s time to practice using the term in a sentence. 

Quiz yourself to see how many sentences you can come up with on your own or feel free to check out some of the examples listed below:

You’re gonna start simping bro, trust me.

I’ve been simping for my girlfriend since last August.

He’s simping so hard for Anne.

If you do a girl’s homework, you’re a simp.

I don’t know about you, but I like simp’s old-school definition: knockoff pimp!

A simp is someone who doesn’t like slander of any female.

Did you know that simp used to refer to a silly person?

He wasn’t trying to say it in an insulting way, but you’re a simp, bro.

I don’t like the term simping because it kinda promotes toxic masculinity, and I’m not about that.

Of all the popular slang terms that we’ve seen since the 2010s, simping is without a doubt my favw.

If you ask me, there’s nothing wrong with being a simp for your significant other.

Conclusion

The simple definition of simp is someone who does way too much for a person they like. In essence, a simp is someone who sucks up, schmoozes, or otherwise fawns over another individual who is of romantic interest. 

Simping is a common verb that describes the action of being a simp.

Sources:

1. What does simping mean? | Your Dictionary
2. simping: meaning, origin, definition | WordSense Dictionary
3. What does simping mean? | Definitions.net