Cap is slang for a lie or falsehood. It is often used in the phrase "no cap", meaning "no lie" or "for real". The term originated in African American Vernacular English and became mainstream through hip-hop and social media.

"Capping" means lying or exaggerating. It is commonly used in online conversations to call out someone who is not telling the truth, or to emphasise that a statement is sincere. The cap emoji is sometimes used to represent the term.

Key points

• Slang for a lie
• "No cap" means no lie
• Originated in AAVE and hip-hop
• Common on social media