Chirp (verb / noun / UK slang)
(Also heard as: Chirping, Chirped, Giving it chirp)
Definition:
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Flirting, chatting someone up, or sliding into someone’s DMs.
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Giving someone lip, talking back, or winding someone up.
Pronunciation: /tʃɜːp/
Where It Comes From: Comes from the noise birds make when they’re making a racket. London kids started using it for people who never shut up, which naturally split into two everyday meanings: trying to graft someone you fancy, or mouthing off when you should probably keep quiet.
How People Actually Use It: You call out a mate for chirping when they spend half the night glued to their phone texting someone new, or when they’re working up the nerve to talk to someone at the bar. On the flip side, if someone is being cheeky or starting an argument over nothing, you tell them to pack in the chirp.
Examples in the Wild:
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“Saw you chirping that girl by the bar—any luck?”
Translation: “I saw you trying to chat her up—did you get her number?”
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“He’s been chirping her on Insta for weeks with no reply.”
Translation: “He keeps trying to flirt in her DMs and getting ignored.”
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“Don’t come over here giving me chirp, mate.”
Translation: “Stop giving me attitude and running your mouth.”
Similar Slang: Grafting, Chatting up, Sliding in, Giving lip, Cheek, Mouthy
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