What Does ISK Mean? Definitions + 8 Ways to Use It

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Learn what this acronym means and how to use it yourself
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What does "isk" mean, anyway? If you feel like you've scoured the Internet and still can't put your finger on this mysterious three-letter phrase, don't worry. We've been hot on the case and dug up all of the possible meanings for you. Read on so you can use or interpret "isk" on Snapchat like a pro.

Things You Should Know

  • Most times, "isk" is simply a typo of "idk" which means "I don't know," though some may be spelling it wrong on purpose.
  • Sometimes, "isk" means "I should know," which can be used either as a placeholder when you don't know what to say, or if you're trying to humblebrag.
  • ISK can also refer to a French rapper of the same name, the currency used in EVE Online, or the Icelandic Króna, the currency of Iceland.
Section 1 of 4:

What does "isk" mean on Snapchat?

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  1. Step 1 "Isk" usually means "I don’t know."
    Originally, people were trying to say “idk,” which is short for "I don't know." Since “s” is right next to “d” on the keyboard, they'd end up typing “isk” by mistake and just didn't bother changing it. Today, people either write it as a joke or they’re making the exact same mistake.
    • “Isk how to answer that. 🥱 I’m too tired to think.”
    • "Maybe I should bake a cake. Isk how to even whisk batter though. 🤦‍♂️"
  2. Step 2 It can also mean "I should know."
    You're announcing that you should know what to say but actually don't. “Isk” is a just placeholder because you’re speechless, even if you wish you could offer more to the conversation.
    • "You lost $300 at the casino?! 😨 Isk."
    • “You handed someone your raffle ticket to grab a soda and they stole it, then passed it off as theirs?! 🤯 Isk.”
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  3. Step 3 “Isk” can occasionally mean “I know all about that.”
    It still stands for "I should know," but it's meant in a positive way. For example, if you want to say that you’re an expert on a subject or have a lot of background knowledge, drop “isk” to “humblebrag,” or casually show off.
    • "It's a tucan. Isk. 😎 I'm a zoologist."
    • “The patch for CoD will come out tomorrow. 😉 Isk. I’m the game dev.”
  4. Step 4 "Isk" is sometimes used as an abbreviation for "I suck."
    Usually, someone uses this as shorthand when they’re losing a video game or they’re just fed up. You can throw out “isk” if you’ve had a long day and need some extra motivation.
    • “I still can’t defeat this boss?! 😖 Isk.”
    • “Can someone help me out here? 🥺 Isk.”
  5. Step 5 "Isk" can indicate a high level of excitement.
    “Iskiskisk" is a variation of “sksksksksk,” a way Snapchatters get across that they’re “mashing”⁠—or senselessly hitting⁠—their keyboard keys. Basically, they’re overwhelmed with a fit of inspiration.
    • "Iskiskiskiskisk! My fave singer 'liked' my post! Fangirling right now! 🤩"
    • “I won a trip to London! 😍 Iskiskiskiskisk!”
  6. Step 6 In rare cases, "isk" means "It's okay, I forgive you."
    This is a short and efficient way to calm someone down and reassure them that there isn’t any tension. You can say this if you’d like to brush off any situation because you don’t think it’s a big deal.
    • "Isk. 💖 We've known each other for years, so I'll always forgive you!"
    • “Isk, bro. 👍 That happened last year. We don’t need to keep talking about this!”
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Use "isk"

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  1. Step 1 Say you don’t know all the details.
    Express that you’re confused about a subject or have some doubts about what someone is telling you.
    • “Isk. 🤷🏻‍♂️ It’s a mystery to me.”
    • “Do you want answers? 😅 Isk what I’m doing.”
    • “Isk if I trust what you’re saying. 🧐”
  2. Step 2 Tell someone you’re sorry about not knowing what to say.
    Sympathize with their situation and say that it’s so incredible or unfortunate that you just can’t come up with the perfect way to support them.
    • “Your ex stole the vase he got you on V-day?! 😲 Isk.”
    • “It rained the day you put on your new suede boots?! 🥺 Isk.”
    • “Your flight got delayed three times? ✈️ ❌ Isk.”
  3. Step 3 Confess that you’re so sad that you’re speechless.
    Maybe you just went through a really overwhelming time or received really bad news. At the moment, you’re full of emotions and at a loss for words.
    • “My favorite bookstore went out of business. 😮‍💨 Isk.”
    • “Rent just took my whole paycheck. 💸 🏠 Isk.”
    • “I miss seeing all my friends in person. 😢 Isk.”
  4. Step 4 Say you’re annoyed but don’t want to offend anyone.
    If someone recently tried to do something nice for you or you just want to stay on good terms with a person, keep their opinions to yourself and tell a different friend, “Jeez! What can I even say?”
    • “My mom redecorated my room but I hate it! 😖 Isk!”
    • “My boyfriend bought me a leather jacket but I’m vegan! 🤦🏻‍♂️ Isk.”
    • “I agreed to dog sit for free, and then the puppy tore apart all my clothes! 😣 Isk.”
  5. Step 5 Share how much info you know about a subject.
    Tell someone you feel like you’re uniquely qualified to give feedback about a certain topic or that you consider yourself an expert.
    • “He’s a troublemaker. 😂 Isk. I’m his sister.”
    • “The brownies there are bomb. 💣 Isk. I bake them!”
    • “That class is really hard. 😵‍💫 Isk. I took it last semester.”
  6. Step 6 Share that you feel lost and confused.
    Whether you’ve lost a match online or you’re struggling to figure out a new skill, say you just want to step away and take a break. Ask for your friends’ help or at least their understanding.
    • “Okay, I’m done with this game. 😡 🎮 Isk.”
    • “This class is exhausting and I need a tutor. ☹️ Isk.”
    • “Isk. Can someone help me figure out how to edit videos? ✂️ 🎞️”
  7. Step 7 Drop a sensitive subject and move on.
    If things got a little heated between you and another person or they’re worried they crossed a boundary, just say “isk” to reassure them that you aren’t actually mad.
    • “Isk. It’s all water under the bridge. 🌊 🌁”
    • “Don’t worry about it. Isk. ❤️ I don’t like to hold grudges.”
    • “You’re silly. Isk. 😊 I could never be mad at you.”
  8. Step 8 Show you’re losing your mind because you’re so thrilled.
    Get across all your excitement with this silly string of letters. Your energy will be contagious and make your friends laugh. [1]
    • “He said that?! Iskiskiskisk. 🤯 That guy has some nerve!”
    • “Iskiskiskisk! 🤩 I was accepted into all the colleges I applied to!”
    • “I’m finally going on my first vacation! 🌴 ☀️ Iskiskiskisk!”
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Section 3 of 4:

Other Meanings of "isk"

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  1. Step 1 ISK is a rapper whose freestyle verses have gained massive popularity.
    He has Tunisian heritage, was born in Canada, and speaks French. ISK gained a huge following in 2018, when he was 15 and published his first songs online. He released a mixtape in 2020 and has amassed over a million views on YouTube.[2]
    • “Just discovered this French rapper, ISK! 🎤 Check him out!”
    • “You should follow ISK on Snap! ‘Chez nous’ is my favorite song.”
    • ISK has over 300K followers on IG and doesn’t even have a single post! Savage! 🦁”
  2. Step 2 ISK is the money players use on EVE Online.
    EVE Online is a sci-fi MMOG, or “Massively Multiplayer Online Game,” that features space exploration, trading, combat, and even piracy. Interstellar Kredits, or “ISK,” are the primary form of currency across the campaign’s universe.[3]
    • “Just stole 300,000 ISK from the corp’s hangar. 😈 YOLO!”
    • “Dang. 😑 Sold my ship but didn’t get as much ISK as I thought I would.”
    • “I earned so much ISK that I can retire anywhere in the universe! 🌌”
  3. Step 3 ISK is an abbreviation for “Icelandic Króna,” the currency of Iceland.
    Since Iceland is the second smallest country based on its population size and went through an economic crash, the money is considered pretty “weak.” In other words, ISK has lost most of its value around the world.[4]
    • “I have to spend so much ISK to get enough USD for my trip to New York!”
    • “I’m going on a shopping spree when I visit Iceland because I have so much ISK now!”
    • “Hopefully, ISK will go up in value over time! Fingers crossed. 🤞”
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Section 4 of 4:

More Slang Acronyms to Know

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  1. Stay on top of new texting slang with these common acronyms. Learn these popular slang terms to stay in the know and keep your texts looking like English instead of gibberish:
    • BSF: “Best sister friend” or “best sibling friend”
    • MMK: “Mmkay” (a combo of “mm” and “okay”)
    • HB: “Heartbroken,” “homeboy,” or “how ‘bout?”
    • DL: “Down low”
    • ABS: “Absolutely”
    • WYLL: “What you look like” or “What do you look like?”
    • HYB: “How you been?”
    • ISTG: “I swear to God”

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/fashion/trends/a29190702/sksksk-and-i-oop-meaning/
  2. ↑ https://www.translateasy.com/en/artist/Isk-all-lyrics
  3. ↑ https://everef.net/type/52996
  4. ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/isk.asp

About This Article

Imad Jbara
Co-authored by:
Imad Jbara
Dating Coach
This article was co-authored by Imad Jbara and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Flamiano. Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This article has been viewed 33,641 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 5, 2024
Views: 33,641
Categories: Snapchat
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