Did you mess up doing something and you’re not entirely sure what to say because of it? Or were you trying to say “IDK” and maybe mistyped on the keyboard? Or is someone trying to tell you something you already know? If any of the above is the case, “ISK” is the phrase you need. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
There are multiple different meanings for “ISK” so context is incredibly important in knowing what the user meant. Most commonly, “ISK” is typically used as a spoof of “IDK”. This came about because the “S” and “D” keys are next to each other on a keyboard, and it became such a common typo that people have started using “ISK” instead of “IDK” on purpose. So in short, it means: I don’t know, I should know, and I suck.
“ISK” can also be used to mean “I suck”. Perhaps you forgot to do something someone asked you to do, and when they remind you about it, you may reply with, “sorry, ISK”. Further, “ISK” may also mean “I should know”. If someone is trying to tell you a piece of information and you already know it, you may respond with, “ISK, I was there”.
Example Usage
“ISK if I can go out tonight”.
“Hey, isk about anything that was going on in the chat before I actually joined”.
“I forgot to take out the trash! ISK!”
“I totally bombed that test in math earlier in math class, isk so hard”.
“ISK if I can go to the game tonight”.
“ISK that Cindy is having a baby; I’m her sister.”
“Why do you keep telling people to ask me about plans for later? ISK, but I actually don’t”.
Origin
“ISK” as meaning “IDK” or “I don’t know” came about when people started using it instead of “IDK”, because it was such a common typo. “ISK” as meaning “I suck” and “I should know” came about as Internet slang got more popular. Internet slang, or shorthand like “IDK” and “LOL”, started becoming popular in 1979, when users of various different messaging apps, like Usenet, created their own abbreviations for longer phrases.
Phrases Similar to ISK
- “IDK”, meaning “I don’t know”
- “IDEK”, meaning “I don’t even know”
- “Ight”, which is shorthand for “alright”
- “OFC”, which means “of course”
Phrases Opposite to ISK
- (When used as meaning “I don’t know”) I already know.
- I’m amazing/great/etc.
- (When used to mean “I should know”) I have no idea.
What is the Correct Saying?
- “ISK” – “IDK” or “I don’t know”
- “ISK” – “I suck”
- “ISK” – “I should know”
Ways People May Incorrectly Say ISK
There are a lot of different meanings for this phrase, which is why context is very important. If you mean to use “ISK” instead of “IDK”, using the phrase when you do “know” would be incorrect. Saying, “ISK when the wedding is, I have it on my calendar”, in which having the wedding date on your calendar means you do know when the wedding is, would be incorrect.
If you mean to use “ISK” to mean “I suck”, any context in which you did something right would be the wrong way to use “ISK”. For example, “I cleaned the entire house today, ISK” would be incorrect.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase ISK
I should know:
- Where are you planning to go after graduation? ISK, but I seem to have forgotten.
- Hi James, can you let me know what hours I am schedule for this week? ISK, but I never got the printed schedule.
- ISK all about farming being that I grew up on a farm, but I spent my time studying.
I suck:
- There is just nothing seem to get right, ISK.
- Why did I choose to go left, now we are lost, ISK.
I don’t know:
- ISK where the file is, didn’t you have it?
- Why are you asking me? ISK anything about who he is dating.