interjection Pop Culture

Psych

/saɪk/ · interjection · slang

Shouted after a fake-out to mean 'just kidding — gotcha!'

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Definitions

1

As a verb, to psych someone is to mentally trick or fake them out.

“He totally psyched me with that fake handshake.”
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2

An exclamation yelled right after tricking someone, meaning you said something untrue to fool them. The classic 80s 'gotcha.'

“You can have my fries... psych! They're all mine.”
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3

Used to retract a statement instantly, signaling you never meant it.

“I'll do your homework — psych, do it yourself.”
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Psych In A Sentence

I got you concert tickets... PSYCH, I forgot.
She said she liked my haircut then went 'psych' and cracked up.
You thought I was gonna pass you the ball? Psych!

Origin & Usage

Short for 'psyche' (to psych out / mentally manipulate), it became a schoolyard fake-out exclamation in 1980s America. 'Sike' is a common phonetic spelling that spread in later decades.

Variants sikepsychepsych out
Tags #80s#american#pop

People Also Ask

What does psych mean in slang?

It's said right after a fake-out to mean 'just kidding, I tricked you.' It cancels whatever you just claimed.

Is it spelled psych or sike?

Both exist. 'Psych' is the original 80s spelling; 'sike' is the phonetic version that became popular later.

What does psych mean on TikTok?

Same as ever — it's used in fake-out videos to reveal the previous statement was a joke or bait.

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