Slang for Vaping: The Insider's Guide to 73 Vape Talk

Search for "slang for vaping"? The vibrant vaping community embraced a plethora of expressions that define their experiences. Understanding this jargon isn't just about fitting in, but fully embracing the nuances of the hobby and navigating its intricate landscape. Each slang term for vaping enriches the dialog within the community, providing both functional and cultural value.

ADV (All Day Vape):

It's a term used in the vaping community to express an e-liquid flavor that a vaper enjoys enough to use frequently or exclusively every day without growing tired of its flavors, such as the smooth richness of Vanilla Custard or the refreshing crispness of Mint. These flavors suit their taste so well that they don't need to switch to another throughout the day.

AFC (Airflow Control)

It's a feature in vaping devices that allows the user to adjust the volume of air passing through the atomizer, which is crucial because it affects how the vapor feels and tastes.

• Tighter Airflow: mimics the draw of a traditional cigarette, enhances the flavor, and hits a more pronounced throat, making it ideal for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping.

• Looser Airflow: allows more air to mix with the vapor, cooling it down and reducing the throat hit, which is preferred for direct lung (DL) vaping and producing larger clouds.

Amps (Amperage)

It refers to the amount of electrical current that flows from the battery to the coil in a vaping device. This current heats the coil, influencing how quickly the e-liquid is vaporized. Higher amperage heats the coil faster, enhancing vapor production and flavor, but can also drain the battery more quickly and increase wear on the device.

Atomizer

It contains the coil (heating element) and wick, the crucial part of the vape device that heats the e-liquid to create vapor, frequently called just an "Atty.". Normally, the coil heats up when electricity is applied, and the wick, usually made of cotton, absorbs the e-liquid and brings it into contact with the coil to vaporize it.

• Coil Head: This term is sometimes used interchangeably with atomizer, although it more specifically refers to replaceable units within some types of atomizers that contain both the coil and the wicking material.

Relevance: What Does Atomizer Mean on a Vape?

Battery

The power source for your vaping device, comes in various sizes and capacities, measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), to keep you vaping all day.

Blanks

They're essentially empty cartridges or cartomizers with no pre-filled e-liquid to offer vapers the flexibility to fill them with their choice of e-liquid. Blanks are particularly popular among those who like mixing their flavors or prefer specific e-liquid formulations unavailable in pre-filled formats.

Box Mod

It's a type of electronic cigarette device characterized by its box-like shape. Unlike simpler e-cig designs, box mods typically include advanced features like variable wattage and voltage, temperature control, and digital screens. They are known for providing more power and longer battery life, making them a favorite among highly experienced vapers.

• Mod: While "mod" can refer to any modified vaping device, it's often used interchangeably with box mod in the community.

Relevance: What Is a Box Mod?

Cartomizer

It's a combined cartridge and atomizer in one unit, containing a heating element surrounded by a polyfill material soaked with e-liquid. Once popular, cartomizers are somewhat less common now but are still favored by some for their convenience and the consistent vapor production they offer.

Cartridge

A Cartridge in vaping is a pre-filled container of e-liquid. It is part of a larger assembly of certain e-cigarettes, particularly those resembling traditional cigarettes (cig-a-likes). The cartridge screws into a battery and is used until the e-liquid is depleted, then discarded.

Relevance: Do Vape Pens Fit All Cartridges?

Chain Vaping

Chain vaping refers to the practice of taking multiple puffs in quick succession without much pause in between. It can put extra strain on the coil and wick, leading to quicker wear and potentially causing a dry hit, where the cotton in the wick burns because it doesn’t have enough time to saturate e-liquid for vaporization. It's important to give vaping devices a little break to avoid damaging the components or experiencing an unpleasant burnt taste.

Relevance: What is Chain Vaping?

Chamber

The chamber is the central part of the atomizer that houses the coil and wick, where the coil heats up, the e-liquid vaporizes, and the vapor is generated. Its size and design can influence both the flavor intensity and vapor production, with smaller chambers enhancing flavor concentration and larger chambers creating cooler, more voluminous vapor.

Charger

It restores battery power through a USB connection or a specific charging dock, essential for any rechargeable vaping device. Proper use and handling of chargers are critical for safety and ensuring the longevity of the vaping device.

Cigalike

It's a slim, lightweight electronic cigarette with a simple two-part structure: a battery and a cartridge (often combined with an atomizer) that looks like a cigarette filter, mimicking closely the appearance and sensation of traditional tobacco cigarettes. Cigalikes are favored by those transitioning from smoking to vaping because of their familiar form and ease of use.

Clearomizer

It's an atomizer featuring a clear tank that allows users to see the amount of e-liquid remaining. Clearomizers typically include a wick and coil and can be either disposable or have replaceable coil heads, popular for their ease of use and the ability to monitor e-liquid levels directly.

Clone

In vaping, a Clone refers to a copy of a high-end or popular mod or atomizer sold at a significantly lower price. Clones can vary in quality and are often produced without the original manufacturer's permission.

Closed Pod System

It involves e-cigarettes that use pre-filled pods or cartridges. These systems are user-friendly and mess-free, ideal for beginners or those looking for convenience. Since the pods are pre-filled, there's no need for messy refills, but this also means less flexibility in terms of flavor and nicotine strength choices compared to open systems.

Cloud Chaser

A Cloud Chaser is a vaper who enjoys producing large amounts of vapor, often participating in "cloud competitions." Cloud chasing requires specific types of e-liquids, usually with a higher vegetable glycerine content, and advanced devices that can deliver high power. The activity is popular among those who strive to produce the biggest and most impressive clouds possible.

• Sub-ohmer: Often used interchangeably with cloud chaser, as many cloud chasers use sub-ohm coils to generate large clouds.

Clouds

Clouds refer to the visible vapor exhaled when vaping electronic cigarettes. The size and density of these clouds can vary based on the device setup, type of e-liquid, and the user’s inhalation technique.

Coil

The coil is the heating element in your vape device. Made from various types of wire like Kanthal, stainless steel, or nickel, the coil heats up when you activate your vaping device, turning the e-liquid absorbed by the wick into vapor.

Coils come in different resistances: low-resistance coils (often called sub-ohm coils) produce more vapor and are typically used for direct lung inhales, while higher-resistance coils create less vapor and are often favored for mouth-to-lung inhales.

Relevance: What is a Coil In a Vape?

Coil Gunk

Coil gunk is the buildup of residue on your coil over time, which happens when certain ingredients in your e-liquid, like sweeteners or dark flavors, caramelize on the coil. Coil gunk can impact the flavor and reduce the coil's lifespan, so please clean or replace your coil regularly, especially if you notice a drop in performance or a burnt taste.

Dab Pen

It's a type of vaporizer designed specifically for vaping cannabis concentrates, such as wax, shatter, or oil, typically more compact and discreet than traditional vaporizers used for dry herbs. They utilize a coil or atomizer that heats the concentrate to a high temperature, producing vapor.

• Wax Pen: Often used interchangeably with dab pen, emphasizing the use with wax concentrates.

Disposables

Disposables are single-use e-cigarettes that come pre-filled with e-liquid and a fully charged battery, popular for their convenience and ease of use. They are designed to be used until the e-liquid runs out or the battery dies, after which they are disposed of.

Relevance: How do Disposable Vapes Work?

Draw

The term Draw means the act of inhaling vapor from a vaping device. It can be affected by the device’s airflow, the coil resistance, and the personal inhalation technique.

Dry Burn (Cleaning Technique)

Dry burn is a technique vapers use to clean their coils, particularly in rebuildable atomizers like RDAs and RTAs, by deliberately firing the coil without e-liquid to burn off any accumulated residue or buildup. After this, the coil is usually cleaned with water or brushed to clear away burnt debris, but this method should be used cautiously to prevent coil damage.

Dry Hit

It occurs when the wick inside the atomizer isn’t adequately saturated with e-liquid, causing it to burn and produce an unpleasant, harsh taste. Dry hits are often a result of vaping too quickly, allowing insufficient time for the wick to re-saturate between hits, or from running low on e-liquid.

E-Cigar

It plans to replicate the look and experience of smoking a traditional cigar without tobacco smoke. E-Cigars often feature a brown, cylindrical design similar to a cigar and are flavored to mimic various types of cigar tobacco, providing an alternative for cigar smokers looking to reduce their exposure to tobacco smoke.

E-Juice

E-juice, or e-liquid or vape juice, is the fluid used in vaporizers and electronic cigarettes that creates the actual vapor. It consists of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavorings, and typically nicotine, though nicotine-free versions are available. E-juice ingredients can vary in ratios to provide a customizable vaping experience.

Relevance: How is Vape Juice Made?

ENDS

This is the formal term used to describe e-cigarettes or any related products that vaporize solutions for inhalation, typically containing nicotine.

Filler Material

Filler Material in a vaping device, typically found in older cartomizers or cartridges, is a porous substance that absorbs and holds the e-juice, to facilitate the steady delivery of e-liquid to the heating element. The most common type of filler material used is poly-fiber, which effectively wicks the liquid toward the coil.

Flavor Chaser

A flavor chaser is a vaper who prioritizes getting the best possible flavor from their e-liquids over producing large clouds of vapor. Flavor chasers often use higher-resistance coils, specialized atomizers, and specific wicking materials that help enhance the taste of their e-liquids.

Flavor Ghosting

This occurs when the flavor from an old e-juice lingers even after the tank or cartridge has been refilled with a new flavor. It can often be remedied by thorough cleaning or replacing the atomizer.

Ghost Hit

It indicates a vaping technique where the vaper inhales the vapor but exhales very little to none, making the vapor nearly invisible.

• Stealth Vaping: This term is sometimes used interchangeably with ghost hit, as it also implies vaping in a manner that minimizes vapor production to stay inconspicuous.

Relevance: How to Make A Ghost Vape?

Heat Steeping

It's a process used by vapers to enhance the flavor of their e-juice. By applying gentle heat to the e-liquid, the chemical composition can change slightly, often resulting in a smoother and more cohesive flavor profile.

High Resistance (HR)

High Resistance (HR) coils in vaping devices have a higher electrical resistance, typically above 1 ohm. These coils require less power to heat up and generally produce a cooler vapor with a more pronounced flavor, ideal for mouth-to-lung vaping styles.

High Voltage (HV)

It names vaping devices that operate at higher voltages, often above the standard 3.7 volts. HV setups can produce more vapor and deliver a stronger throat hit but require compatible high-resistance coils to prevent overheating and potential damage.

Relevance: What Does Voltage Mean on a Vape?

Hit

The term Hit in vaping describes the inhalation of vapor from an e-cigarette. The quality of a hit can be influenced by the nicotine strength, the type of vape device, the airflow settings, and the personal inhalation technique.

Hookah Stick

A Hookah Stick, also known as an e-hookah, is a type of electronic vaping device that mimics the experience of smoking a traditional hookah. These devices are usually disposable, flavored, and contain nicotine, noted for producing smooth, flavorful vapor without the tar, carbon monoxide, or ash associated with traditional hookahs.

Hot Spot

A hot spot is a section of a coil that heats up more quickly than the rest, often causing an uneven burn and affecting the flavor of the vapor. Hot spots are usually found in rebuildable atomizers (like RDAs or RTAs) and can occur due to improper coil building or positioning. Detecting and fixing hot spots by adjusting or "strumming" the coil can lead to a smoother and more consistent vape.

Leaking

Leaking occurs when e-juice escapes from the tank or cartridge of a vaping device, usually due to improper filling, worn-out seals, or a faulty or incorrectly assembled device.

Relevance: How to Fix a Leaking Disposable Vape

Low Resistance (LR)

Atomizers with a resistance below 1 ohm are known as low resistance, typically used for sub-ohm vaping, which allows for greater vapor production and more intense flavor.

Relevance: What Does Low Resistance Mean on A Vape

mAh (Milliamp Hour)

mAh stands for milliampere-hour and is a unit of electric charge commonly used to describe the capacity of batteries, particularly in vaping devices. It indicates how much electric charge a battery can provide at one milliampere for one hour. Generally, higher mAh ratings mean the battery can last longer between charges, assuming the same power consumption.

Milligrams (mg)

This measurement indicates the concentration of nicotine in e-liquids per milliliter, ranging from 0 mg (nicotine-free) to high strengths for heavy former smokers.

Milliliters (ml)

Milliliters (ml) is the metric unit of volume used to measure the amount of e-liquid in a container. Vape juice is typically sold in bottles from 10 ml to 120 ml. The size can affect how long the e-liquid lasts depending on usage patterns.

Mint Gang, Mango Gang

They are playful terms used within the vaping community to show a preference for mint or mango-flavored e-juices, highlighting the camaraderie and shared preferences among vapers.

Mod

Originally short for "modification," a Mod is a vaping device that offers advanced features beyond those available in basic e-cigarettes. They can come with variable wattage and voltage settings, temperature control, and larger batteries, providing users with enhanced control over their vaping experience.

Advanced Personal Vaporizer (APV): Sometimes used to refer to more complex mods with additional functions.

Relevance: What Are Vape Mods?

Mouthpiece

The Mouthpiece of a vaping device, also known as a drip tip, is the part through which the user inhales the vapor. They can vary in shape, size, and material, each of which can affect the draw and temperature of the vapor.

Mouth-to-lung Hit (MTL)

A vaping technique similar to smoking a traditional cigarette, where the vapor is first drawn into the mouth and then inhaled into the lungs,  favored by those who prefer a more restrictive draw and pronounced throat hit.

Relevance: What Does MTL Mean Vape?

Nic Juice

Nic Juice is a slang term for nicotine-infused e-liquid used in vaping devices, another way to refer to vape juice or e-juice that contains nicotine.

Nic Sick

Nic Sick is a term used in the vaping community to describe the symptoms experienced when one ingests too much nicotine. Symptoms may include nausea, headache, dizziness, and palpitations. It is a condition to be cautious of, especially for new vapers or those trying stronger e-liquids.

Relevance: How to Determine the Nicotine Level in Your E-Juice

Nick Hit

A nick hit specifies the feeling of a strong rush or "hit" from inhaling a high dose of nicotine, that can cause a slight head rush or even dizziness, particularly for those new to vaping or those using high-nicotine e-liquids. If you find yourself feeling lightheaded or overwhelmed, consider lowering your nicotine strength to find a more comfortable balance.

Nicotine

Nicotine is a stimulant found naturally in tobacco and is commonly added to e-liquids for use in vaping devices. It's the substance in cigarettes responsible for addiction but is considered less harmful when isolated from the carcinogenic compounds of burning tobacco.

Noob

Noob is a slang term borrowed from the gaming community, used in vaping to describe a newcomer or beginner to vaping. It’s often used playfully or informally to refer to someone still learning the basics of vaping equipment, techniques, and culture.

Ohm (Ω)

It's a unit of electrical resistance named after Georg Simon Ohm. In vaping, it refers to the resistance level of the coil in the atomizer. Lower resistance (sub-ohm) coils generally produce more heat and vapor, while higher ones produce less heat and vapor but conserve battery life. Ohm levels can significantly affect the overall vaping experience, influencing the flavor and cloud production.

Relevance: What do Vape Ohms Mean?

Open/Refillable System

It indicates a vaping device that allows users to refill the e-liquid manually, offering flexibility in flavor and nicotine strength choices, making it popular among those who prefer to customize their vaping experience. It contrasts with closed systems, which use pre-filled pods or cartridges.

• Refillable Pod System: A specific type of open system that uses pods instead of tanks.

Personal Vaporizer (PV)

It's another term for an electronic cigarette or vaping device, that emphasizes the personal customization aspect of vaping, differentiating more advanced devices from basic e-cigarettes. PVs often offer adjustable settings and are capable of using various atomizers, tanks, and mods.

PG/VG Ratio

The PG/VG ratio means the balance of Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) in an e-liquid. PG is thinner and provides a stronger throat hit, while VG is thicker and creates more vapor.

Different ratios affect the vaping experience: for instance, a 70/30 VG/PG ratio produces more clouds and is favored by those who prioritize vapor production, while a 50/50 blend might be preferred by flavor chasers who want a balanced experience.

Relevance: 70/30 Vape Juice

Pod

A Pod in vaping is a compact cartridge typically used with pod systems, pre-filled (closed system) or refillable (open system). Pods are easier to use and maintain than traditional atomizer setups and are popular for their convenience and portability.

Relevance: What Are Vape Pods?

Priming

Priming is an important process used to prepare a new coil in a vaping device, ensuring the wick is fully saturated with e-liquid before the first use. It aims to prevent dry hits and burning, extend the coil's life, and improve the quality of the vapor.

Relevance: How to Prime a Vape Coil Like a Pro

Refillable Devices

Refillable Devices are vaping systems that allow adding e-liquid manually, offering cost savings over time and the ability to switch flavors freely. This category includes a wide range of products from simple pod systems to more complex mods.

Relevance: How to Refill a Vape

Salt Nic

Salt Nic, namely nicotine salt or nic salt, is a type of nicotine that forms naturally in leaf tobacco and is considered to be a more stable form of nicotine than the traditionally used freebase nicotine in vape juices. Nicotine salt e-liquids are known to deliver nicotine more efficiently and with less irritation, making them suitable for higher concentrations.

Relevance: What Are Nic Salts?

Starter Kit

A Starter Kit for vaping includes all the basic components needed for someone new. Typically, it contains a vape device (like a mod or pen), a charger, one or more atomizers, and sometimes a small bottle of e-juice. Starter kits endeavor to make the entry into vaping as easy and hassle-free as possible, providing everything to get started right out of the box.

Steeping

It's the process of aging e-juice to improve its flavor. Like aging wine or allowing a marinade to soak into food, steeping e-juice often involves letting it sit for several days to weeks after mixing, sometimes in varying temperature conditions to enhance flavor integration and smoothness, or bring out more complex flavor notes.

Sub-ohm

It implies vaping using a device whose atomizer coils have a resistance of less than one ohm, popular among experienced vapers who seek to produce large amounts of vapor and more intense flavors. Sub-ohm requires capable devices that can safely handle the lower resistance levels, usually resulting in greater heat and vapor production.

• Cloud Chasing: Often associated with sub-ohm, as the practice enables large cloud production.

Relevance: What is a Sub Ohm Vape?

Tank

It suggests the component that holds the e-liquid and typically includes the atomizer as part of a larger assembly. Tanks vary in size and capacity, influencing how much e-juice can be vaped before needing a refill.

TC (Temperature Control)

Temperature Control (TC) is a mode in some vape devices that allows you to set a specific temperature for your coil rather than a specific wattage, helping to prevent dry hits and maintain a consistent flavor by ensuring the coil doesn’t get too hot. It’s particularly useful for those who want more control over their vaping experience or use temperature-sensitive materials like nickel or titanium.

Throat Hit

It's a term used to describe the sensation felt in the back of the throat when inhaling vapor, especially from e-juices containing nicotine. The intensity of the throat hit can vary based on the nicotine strength, the type of e-liquid, and the settings of the vaping device. Many smokers transitioning to vaping appreciate a stronger throat hit as it mimics the feeling of smoking a traditional cigarette.

Vape Juice

Vape Juice, namely e-juice or e-liquid, is the liquid used in vaporizers and e-cigarettes that creates the vapor.

Relevance: What's in Vape Juice?

Vape Pen

It's a type of e-cigarette that typically consists of a battery and a tank or pod, and resembles a pen in shape and size, making it discreet and portable. Vape pens are popular for their ease of use and are often used with e-liquids, though some are designed for waxes and oils (especially those intended for cannabis-derived products).

Relevance: How to Clean Your Vape Pen for Optimal Performance?

Vaper

A Vaper is someone who uses electronic cigarettes. This term describes the user rather than the device, focusing on the act of vaping as part of their lifestyle or habits.

Vaper's Tongue

Vaper’s Tongue (also known as flavor fatigue) is a condition where the vaper temporarily loses the ability to taste vape juice flavors. It may occur from vaping the same flavor for too long, dehydration, or not cleaning one's mouthpiece regularly. It's usually temporary and can be remedied by switching flavors, increasing hydration, or taking a break from vaping.

Relevance: What Is Vape Tongue?

Vaporizer

It signifies a device used to turn materials into vapor for inhalation. In the context of vaping, it refers to devices that vaporize e-liquids, as well as apply to devices used for vaporizing dry herbs and concentrates (especially in the cannabis industry).

Watt (Wattage)

It represents the unit of power that a vaping device uses to heat the e-liquid. Adjusting the wattage can change the temperature at which the liquid is vaporized, affecting the flavor intensity and vapor volume. Higher wattage can provide a more intense vaping experience but may consume e-liquid faster and reduce battery life.

Relevance: What Wattage Should I Vape At?

Wick

The wick is the material, usually cotton, that absorbs the e-liquid and delivers it to the coil. When you activate your vape, the coil heats up, vaporizing the e-liquid soaked in the wick. A good wick is essential for consistent flavor and vapor production, so please keep it clean and properly saturated to avoid dry hits.

In conclusion, understanding the slang for vaping is essential for anyone looking to enhance their vaping experience and deepen their communication with fellow vapers. Dive into the culture, embrace the slang, and enrich your vaping journey!