You know you and your best friend have become close when you create your own words and phrases, like a secret language. On TikTok, the tradition is called the "Best Friends Dictionary" and has racked up millions of views. There are other versions, such as the Sisters Dictionary and the Couples Dictionary, but the Friends version is probably the most relevant.
The trend sees besties testing each other, with one person describing the definitions of made-up words and phrases while the other makes guesses. Take creator @sadielsnow, who unveiled her BFF Dictionary on May 6th. She and her friends would use the catch-all phrase "heim" when they were experiencing negative emotions, and when they left home to find something they said they were going to "hide."
Half of their words were obviously inside jokes that only they understood, but the rest were easier to grasp. For example, if they went for a walk on Saturday, they would say they had a "little stomp", and when they got up early, they would say they needed time to "thaw out." If one person uses these words, the other person automatically knows what they mean.
In her comments section, one person said, "Voyeur is now in my vocabulary," while another wrote, "Bestie energy is contagious." Another big take on the trend attraction. Creator @mickycashflow and her bestie barely cracked a smile when they shared their extensive dictionaries. Their viral video, posted on May 8, shows them guessing hilarious words like "lemmechill" and "Sabrina" on their phones, with one person commenting: "It's not me laughing with you. You two are so cute."
sign of great friendship
The best friend dictionary is iconic, but what's even more impressive is how quickly everyone involved in the trend seems to know the definition. It took my friend @sadielsnow less than five seconds to guess the meaning of "beyond." Although the word has a real definition, they use it to mean something scary or amazing is happening. Missed the bus? Just got a raise? "I'm transcending."
The popularity of this trend, with more than 14.9 million posts under related phrases, proves that there are many good friends in the world whose own vocabulary is deeply woven into their relationships. According to Najamah Davis, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker, this kind of personalized language is definitely a sign of a great friendship.
Of course, people in the comments section seemed to agree. Under @mickycashflow's video, one person wrote, "I want what you guys have," while another said, "You guys made me believe that my best friend and I weren't best friends."
Developing a best friend dictionary
While some words will be added to your lexicon throughout your life, many may have originated from the odd misadventure. “The BFF Dictionary is a natural evolution that spans many years, born out of inside jokes, shared experiences and a deep familiarity with each other,” Davis said. "For example, if a group of friends sets out on a trip and encounters a humorous misadventure, they might create a word or phrase to encapsulate the experience, thereby incorporating it into their shared language."
The Best Friend Dictionary also collects words from embarrassing encounters and shared observations, said Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and director of the Center for Understanding the Mind. When you go through the ups and downs together, "you develop a sense of intimacy and can just say things without having to explain them," she says.
Plus, having your language allows you to communicate with each other on DL. "It feels good to have some kind of secret language in the presence of other people, kind of like pig Latin for adults," Hafiz said. "It definitely makes you feel like you belong to a secret club."
source:
Najamah Davis, MSW, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Neuropsychologist, Director, Center for Understanding the Mind
