Side Quest

Side Quest (noun / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Side quests, Go on a side quest, Side mission)

Definition:

A side quest is an unplanned detour or spontaneous activity that happens outside of your main plan. It might be popping into a shop you pass, trying a new street or helping a friend with a random errand. The word borrows its meaning from video games.

Where Side Quest Comes From:

In role-playing video games, a side quest is an optional mission that is separate from the main story. Gamers have used the term for decades. In the 2020s it moved into everyday speech on TikTok and Reddit, where people started describing real-life detours as side quests, often as a way to make life feel more fun.

How People Actually Use Side Quest:

It is used for a pleasant diversion, such as “I went to buy milk and ended up on a side quest to find the best coffee”. The idea is to treat small events like adventures. It also appears in self-care advice, with people encouraging each other to “add side quests” to their week to avoid boredom.

Is a Side Quest a Waste of Time?

Not at all. The charm of a side quest is that the detour itself is the reward, even if it has nothing to do with your plan.

Examples in the Wild:

• “I am on a side quest to find the perfect pie.”

  Meaning: I am chasing a fun, non-essential goal.

• “Sorry I am late, I got sent on a side quest by my mum.”

  Meaning: I got pulled into an unexpected task.

• “Let us do a side quest to the old bookshop.”

  Meaning: Let us take a fun detour.

Similar Slang:

Locked In, Linking, Vibe, Faff, Detour, Adventure

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