asl
/eɪ.ɛs.ɛl/
CommonAge, sex, location. A question asking for those three personal details.
The straight version feels dated or creepy depending on context. Ironic use is common among people who grew up with early internet culture.
Real-world examples3 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | lmao someone just sent me asl in 2024 | The person is mocking how outdated the phrase is. | x, 2024 |
| 02 | new chat just dropped, asl everyone | Joking introduction prompt when a new group chat starts. | instagram, 2023 |
| 03 | those AOL instant messenger days hit different. asl was real | Reflecting fondly on early internet culture. |
Use it when
- You want to quickly find out basic info about someone you just met online.
- You are joking about early internet culture.
- Someone new joins a group chat and people are being playfully nostalgic.
Do not use it when
- You are in a professional or semi-formal setting.
- You genuinely want to know someone's location for safety reasons.
- You want to sound current.
Origin and context
Emerged in early internet chatrooms in the 1990s, particularly on AOL Instant Messenger and IRC. It was the standard opening question when meeting a stranger online.
- First seen
- 1990s
- Confidence
- high
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/aslUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0
Related slang
dmirl