Tapped

Tapped (adjective / UK Slang)

(Also heard as: Tapped in the head, Well tapped, Tapped off)

Definition:

Tapped is UK slang for being a bit mad, silly or not thinking straight. If someone does something strange, a friend might say “you are tapped”. It is a light-hearted insult that suggests someone is not quite right in the head, and it is used mostly by teenagers and young adults.

Where Tapped Comes From:

The word is thought to come from the old British phrase “tapped in the head” or the idea of someone having been hit on the head, which suggests their thinking is off. It spread through London and UK youth slang in the 2010s and is often heard in music, school playgrounds and social media videos.

How People Actually Use Tapped:

Friends say it as banter: “bro, you are tapped” after a daft idea. It can also describe a weird situation or odd behaviour. The tone is teasing. The word has a separate meaning in US English, where “tapped out” means exhausted or out of money.

Is Tapped Offensive?

It can touch on mental health language, so be careful. Among friends it is usually banter, but it is better avoided if someone might take it seriously.

Examples in the Wild:

• “You jumped in the sea in November? You are tapped.”

  Meaning: That was a mad thing to do.

• “He is a bit tapped, but he is a laugh.”

  Meaning: He is eccentric but fun.

• “That idea is well tapped.”

  Meaning: It makes no sense.

Similar Slang:

Bonkers, Barmy, Gormless, Numpty, Muppet, Banter

🛍 Shop on eBay › (affiliate)