ATP (Slang)

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About

ATP is an internet slang term primarily used as a short-form way of saying the phrase "At This Point" in text. Online, the phrase has gained significant usage starting after 2020, with it gaining virality on the video content platform TikTok in early 2023. The slang term has also received interest because it is used as the abbreviation for "Adenosine Triphosphate," known as the source of energy in a cell.

Origin

On July 16th, 2010, Urban Dictionary user Hot Dayummm^[1] created the earliest definition for the acronym that used the phrase. This term, with the example given of "atp idek what to believe anymore" earned over 420 upvotes in 14 years (shown below).

ATP At This Point atp idek what to believe anymore. by Hot Dayummm July 16, 2010 423 67

Spread

On social media, the slang term saw usage slowly over the following years, with users inserting it into their posts as a short-form way of saying "At This Point" in casual conversation. For example, on October 15th, 2018, X users @Dra2go_^[2] and @__MiaJane^[3] both used the phrase in two different contexts with it still meaning the same thing (shown below).

Dra @Dra2go · Oct 15, 2018 Everybody on campus can't stroll. Atp if you don't have letters you shouldn't be in line to do anything. Just my opinion 15 25 #myasu 山 ㅁ소 that gworl. @__MiaJane Oct 15, 2018 Once i start doing things i actually enjoy i won't hate life as much but atp im over it Imaoooo. God didn't put me on earth for this bse 172 ♡ 2 山

Starting in 2023, TikTokers began to use the phrase in many of their videos, captions and comments. This led to TikTok content being made to explain what the acronym means and how to use it. On June 12th, 2023, TikToker HanginWithAllie^[4] uploaded a video in which they talked about how they first saw the phrase and then explained what it means, garnering over 50 likes in one year (shown below).

@hanginwithallie
Did y’all know “ATP” meant “At this point” and when did ppl start doing this?

♬ original sound – Halliegal

Various Examples

@lizzywitdablizzyuh even the people that seem the happiest hold the darkest pain inside. dont assume bc you see a smile. do a doible check. it will mae a world of a difference by one random person checking in:) #greenscreen #fypシ #roadtorecovery #selflovejourney #selfimprovement ♬ original sound – Edits by dee😌