SKENG

What Does SKENG Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

SKENG means "Weapon."

More Observations...

The word SKENG was originally used with the meaning "Blade" or "Knife." However, it is now widely used to refer to a "Weapon" of any kind, including a firearm. SKENG is commonly used in rap songs, including the 2019 track from British rapper Stormzy "Sounds Of The Skeng" (see video).

Image for SKENG

When I write SKENG, I mean this:

SKENG originally meant knife, but now can mean any weapon.

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

SKENG
Definition:	Weapon
Type:	Slang Word (Jargon)
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of SKENG in Sentences

Here's an example of SKENG in song lyrics:

• "Rule 10: Never pull a SKENG in front of false friends cos that will be where it all ends.
(From Ghetts' song Commandments.)

An Academic Look at SKENG

The word SKENG is a noun used in Jamaican gangster patois. It may derive from the merging of the words "Short" and "LENG." In which case, it could be considered a portmanteau word, which is the term for when two words are merged into one. (SPEXY (from spectacles and sexy) is another example of a portmanteau word.) However, SKENG would not be a true portmanteau word because the letter K has been added to aid pronunciation.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "Blade" or "Shooter," instead of using SKENG.

Example of SKENG Used in a Text

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