A Mexican queer expression has been fairly popular among Spanish-speaking internet users over the last year or so, known as "traka."

The term gained virality in October 2023, largely thanks to TikToker and influencer Yeri Mua, leading to a surge of interest on platforms like X / Twitter and beyond as users sought to understand its meaning and usage.

So, how did "traka" become a prominent slang on the internet and what does it really mean? Let's explain.

@kaarolynnn @Yeri MUA #Traka @_Tomas_Calixto78 #halloween ♬ sonido original – Kaaro Castañeda

What Does 'Traka' Mean?

The term "traka" is essentially a way to convey surprise or disbelief. While the exact first use of the word is difficult to pinpoint, one of the earliest instances can be traced back to a September 7th, 2021, tweet by user @davidamistad.

He first used the expression in the context of expressing shock, saying, “Que TÚ digas que has pasado el peor verano es de traka,” which translates in English to, “That YOU say you have had the worst summer is traka [a surprise].”

How Did The Slang 'Traka' Become Popularized Online?

The term "traka" saw a significant increase in usage after a TikTok video posted by influencer @yerimuaanews on October 12th, 2023. In it, she introduces her new kitty while prominently featuring the term "traka" in overlay text. The video quickly racked up over 3 million plays and 313,000 likes in just a month, helping to increase awareness of the slang.

@yerimuaanews Dulce o traka?🎃#yerimuaa #oficialyerimua @Yeri MUA ♬ sonido original – Yeri MUA🍼

Following Yeri Mua's viral video, TikTok user @ilse_sc also utilized "traka" in a viral video, further fueling its popularity among TikTokers as it's continued spreading into 2024.

@ilse_sc pose trakaaa #xcryclips #cryboyer #xcrythereal #cry #crymuareaccion #yerimua #ffyp #xcrythereal ♬ sonido original – Yeri MUA

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For the full history of the Traka slang, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.