"Sharking" is TikTok's latest summer buzzword, and no, it's got nothing to do with the Discovery Channel.

If your FYP has been flooded with jokes about circling the streets looking for prey, you're not alone. "Sharking all summer" has become the catchphrase for the chronic thirst that's plaguing Gen Z.

But where did this slang term come from, and why is everyone suddenly calling themselves sharks?

Here's a recap of "Sharking All Summer."

Where Did the Term 'Sharking' Come From?

The term "sharking" as TikTok slang was first promoted by rapper and YouTuber Jay Cinco. In May 2024, the phrase cropped up in online circles to describe the act of prowling for women, with Cinco reportedly using “sharking” to frame the behavior as a calculated and persuasive craft.

TikToker @bigswervoclip0 uploaded a clip of Jay Cinco on May 17th, 2024, showing him explaining, "Some n----a just be sharks […] they see some b------ and say 'I'm botta shark up on these hoes.'"

@bigswervoclip0 😂😂 #jaycinco #fyp #jaycincoo #primetimehitlatv #primetimehitta #tray #fyp #youtube ♬ original sound – Swervogotyoclip

Though the phrase and slang didn't explode immediately online, it did resurface nearly a year later.

On March 25th, 2025, TikToker @7khunna revived the term with a video of herself in a Left Shark costume dancing to "Whim Whamiee" by Pluto and YK Niece. The post gathered over 1 million views and 280,000 likes, effectively dragging "sharking" into full-blown summer slogan territory.

@7khunna im serious #sharkin #fyp #whimwhamie #bigpluto #blowthisupforme #summer #shark ♬ original sound – Don Wong Films

How Did the Slang Term 'Sharking' Spread?

By late March 2025, TikTok was swimming in shark memes. On March 31st, TikToker @sakfce posted a video captioned, "When bro keep talking about sharking this summer knowing he scared to approach anyone of the opposite gender," and earned over 270,000 plays and 50,000 likes.

@sakfce #fyp#sharking#mememsss#blowthisup#relatablememess#summer#shark#jaycinco ♬ Share My Life – Kem

The trend continued to snowball from there. On April 4th, TikTok user @luvv4zaria joked, "'sharking all summer' 'I'm a shark' 🦈🦈🦈'*jaws theme song*'" before adding, "no you are not… every Gen Z can’t be the shark, some of y’all gotta be bait." Her post got over 370,000 plays as it continued into April 2025 and saw increased usage.

@luvv4zaria every gen z cant be the shark some of yal gotta be bait #wlw #fyp #relatable #shark ♬ original sound – imsodolllicious

More people posted jokes about "Sharking" in summer 2025, with TikToker @wandaatoshiesty going full meta with a Sharkboy and Lavagirl clip on April 28th, captioned, "me and my hgs this summer," which netted 100,000 likes in just a week.

@wandaatoshiesty we dem sharks fytb🦈🙂‍↕️#fyp #relatable #🦈 #sharkin #wedemsharks #blowthisup ♬ original sound – thisisnotnars

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