IKIAB (Slang)

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About

IKIAB is a slang term and abbreviation of "I'mma Keep It A Buck," an alternative way of saying, "I'm going to be honest." The term was coined by TikToker @xznthos and popularized on sites including TikTok and Instagram Reels in April 2025. It is often used in brainrot videos and memes. As the term went viral, parody versions of it also garnered attention via memes, often crossing over with formats like "I Wouldn't Even Keep You As a Slave" and "Gurt: Yo."

Origin

On April 7th, 2025, TikToker^[1] @xznthos posted a slideshow consisting of a selfie captioned, "I have invented the newest slang abbreviation ikiab (imma keep it a buck) we ALL will be using this, ikiab," garnering over 3.8 million views in a week.

A video coining the term "IKIAB." The term means "I'mma keep it a buck."

Spread

The term garnered viral spread on TikTok over the following days, also spreading to Instagram Reels. On April 8th, 2025, TikToker^[2] @Vexbolts posted a video using the term, garnering over 427,000 views in six days.

@vexbolts i knew ts was happening what vexbolts is doing is ruining a trend 💔#vexbolts ♬ SaddestStory – 2slimey

On April 9th, TikToker^[3] @kat_bottington posted a video of a dancing cat under a caption sharing the definition of "IKIAB," garnering over 288,000 views in five days. On the same day, Instagram^[4] user kat_bottington posted a video using the definition that gained over 2,300 likes in five days.

@kat_bottington new slang! ikiab #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #cat #fyp #unemployed #ikiab ♬ original sound – Dakari👨🏾‍🌾

Various Examples

@smegmagaming123 #unemployment #music #fire #phonk #phonktok #smegma #ts #gurt #ikiab #ohio #minecraft #movie #minecraftmovie #steve #chicken #lava #funny ♬ original sound – Edge Police

@smokeybanditwlkemdown #juggtok #underground #alanreet #osbatt #chinesedrill #ukniche #nostalgia ♬ suburban underground – Osbatt Smokey Bandit

@prxect HOW did I die. (Check new video, it’s not my fault 🥀)#what #prxect #filter #fyp #foryou #real #realtable #relatable #adventuretime #games #song #music #mc #Minecraft #minecraftmemes #edit #edits #fypage #blub #funny #sad ♬ ian goin – yuke