What Does 'This Is So Buns' Mean? The Midwest Slang Taking Over TikTok In 2025

The phrase "This is so buns" is a piece of modern slang that has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly across social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit, as of December 2025. It is a concise and versatile way for Gen Z and Gen Alpha to express extreme disappointment, signifying that something is "very bad," "lame," "unsuitable," or simply "sucks." This term is a classic example of how regional vernacular—in this case, from the American Midwest—can go viral and become part of the broader digital lexicon.

The term is a highly effective, G-rated alternative to more explicit expressions of dissatisfaction, making it a favorite for use in online gaming communities, casual conversations, and short-form video captions. Understanding "buns" is essential to decoding contemporary digital communication, as its meaning is far removed from the literal definition of a bread roll or a hairstyle.

The Surprising Origin and Core Definition of 'Buns' Slang

The core meaning of the phrase "This is so buns" is straightforward: it is an adjective used to describe something that is terrible, of poor quality, or generally disappointing.

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• Core Meaning: Very bad, sucks, blows, lame, or unsuitable.
• Usage Context: "That movie was so buns, I walked out." or "My internet connection is so buns right now."
• Regional Origin: The phrase is widely reported to have originated in the northern areas of the Midwest, specifically among hockey players. This connection to the sports world is a common pathway for slang to enter the mainstream, often starting as locker-room jargon before spreading to local communities.

While the word 'buns' literally refers to the buttocks (as in "nice buns") or a type of bread, its slang usage as a negative descriptor is a classic example of a semantic shift. It functions as a G-rated synonym for "ass" in the context of "that's ass," meaning bad.

In some niche contexts, 'bun' can also be slang for 'smoke marijuana' or 'ugly,' and in Jamaican Patois, 'bun' can mean to 'cheat.' However, when paired with the intensifier "This is so," the meaning overwhelmingly defaults to the negative descriptor of something being terrible or failing expectations.

How 'Buns' Spread from the Rink to the Internet

The journey of "buns" from an ice hockey term to a viral internet phrase is a testament to the power of niche communities. Hockey culture, particularly in the Midwest and Great Lakes region, has its own rich vocabulary. The term likely provided a quick, punchy, and inoffensive way for players to complain about a bad game, a terrible call, or a piece of equipment that failed.

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Its recent popularity on platforms like Reddit and TikTok shows a pattern of slang adoption:

1. Niche Community Use: Used within a specific group (e.g., hockey players, gamers).
2. Bridging to Gaming: The term is frequently seen on gaming subreddits (like r/balatro or r/ArmaReforger), where players complain about bad luck, poor game mechanics, or a frustrating loss.
3. Viral Adoption: Content creators pick up the term, often using it ironically or simply because it sounds unique, exposing it to a global audience.

The phrase "That's buns bro" is a common variant, often used to console a friend or commiserate over a shared disappointment, cementing its role as a versatile expression of shared negativity.

Building Topical Authority: A Glossary of Contemporary Slang for 'Bad'

To truly understand the modern digital lexicon, it’s helpful to place "buns" alongside other contemporary slang terms that express the same sentiment of something being "bad," "lame," or "disappointing." The frequent emergence of new negative slang highlights a generational need for fresh, non-obvious ways to critique or complain. This list provides context and topical authority, showing where "buns" fits into the current landscape of Gen Z and Gen Alpha vocabulary.

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The 'Bad' Slang Hierarchy: From Mild to Extreme Disappointment

Here are several entities and phrases that share a similar meaning to "This is so buns," categorized by their level of intensity and current trend status:

Tier 1: The Mainstream Disappointments (High-Frequency)

• Mid: This is arguably the most common alternative to "buns." It means something is mediocre, average, or disappointing—not terrible, but not great either. It implies a lack of effort or excitement.
• Ass: A slightly more explicit, but still common, way to say something is bad or of poor quality. "Buns" is often used as a direct, G-rated replacement for this term.
• Corny: Used to describe something that is cheesy, unoriginal, or trying too hard to be cool.

Tier 2: The Hyper-Modern and Viral Terms (Trending Now)

• Skibidi: In some Gen Alpha contexts, "skibidi" is being used to mean something is bad, lame, or uncool, often associated with a trend or event. This term is highly volatile and platform-specific.
• Ohio: A phrase used to describe someone or something that is weird, bad, or cringe. This is a prime example of how a geographical term can be repurposed as a negative adjective in modern slang.
• Beige Flag: While not meaning "bad," it's a related concept that refers to something that catches your attention as slightly unusual or odd, but is neither good nor bad—just a little boring or strange.

Tier 3: The Old-School and Niche Terms (Lower-Frequency)

• Beat: A term that has been around for a while, meaning something is worn out, tired, or just generally bad.
• Jerds / Ozay: These are examples of extremely niche or hyper-local slang terms that the Urban Thesaurus algorithm identifies as synonyms for "lame." They demonstrate the constant, rapid evolution of negative slang.
• Lame: The classic, older term that all these modern phrases—including "buns"—are designed to replace.

In the end, "This is so buns" serves a vital function in contemporary language. It allows speakers to express a strong negative opinion with a lighthearted, slightly absurd, and inoffensive word. Its adoption from a regional sports context into the global digital sphere ensures that this versatile piece of slang will remain relevant and widely understood for the foreseeable future, especially among those who prefer to keep their language clean while still delivering a punchy critique.