What Does STG Mean?

Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: May 12, 2022 References

The word “STG” just came up on your radar, but you aren’t totally sure what it means. What exactly does this abbreviation stand for, and why are you seeing everywhere? Read on to uncover all of the answers to your questions—we’ve outlined exactly what this acronym means, as well as how you can use and reply to it in your messages. We’ve even covered some variations and alternate meanings, so you can be in the know for any scenario.

Section 1 of 6:

What does STG mean on social media?

STG means “Swear to God” when used on social media. People sometimes use “stg” or “STG” as a way to add some frustrated emphasis or a sense of exaggeration to their social media posts. STG isn’t exclusive to a specific social media platform, though—it means “Swear to God” on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and most other sites/apps. ^{[1]
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- “He is trying my last nerve I stg 🙄”
- “I stg it’s taken 3 years for this package to get here 😔🎁”
- Some people spell STG in all capital letters (STG), while other people spell it in with lowercase letters (stg). It means the same thing in both formats, though.

Section 2 of 6:

What does STG mean over text?

STG also stands for “Swear to God” over text. “Swear to God” is the universal definition of STG, even in messaging apps and over text. If this abbreviation pops up on your screen, it’s safe to assume that the sender is saying “Swear to God.”^{[2]
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- “I stg you better not have forgotten that mom’s bday is tomorrow 😠”
- “I replied to your email stg!!! I don’t know why it didn’t go through 😭”

Section 3 of 6:

How to Use STG

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Use STG to share your frustration. Maybe you’re in a long line at the grocery store, or you’re waiting for a super long time at the doctor’s office. Sprinkle an STG into your social media posts and/or texts to let everyone know just how irritated you are.^{[3]
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- “STG the DMV line gets longer each time I come here 😞🚗”
- “If Jamie doesn’t show up I stg I’m gonna lose my mind 😡”
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Use STG to exaggerate whatever you have to say. It’s always fun to stretch the truth a little bit—and STG gives you the perfect opportunity to do so! Add a small exaggeration to your next post or text to take it to the next level.^{[4]
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- “I stg my parents have 40 bananas in their kitchen rn 🍌”
- “I stg my cousin is like 10 ft tall!! He could make serious money in the NBA lol 🏀”

Section 4 of 6:

How to Reply to STG

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Reply to STG with a sympathetic message. A lot of times, people are looking for support or validation when they include STG in a text or social media post. Feel free to reply with something comforting and supportive, so the other person feels a little less alone.
- Person 1: “I stg nobody cares how I feel 😭”
  Person 2: “I’m so sorry you’re having a tough time! I’m always here if you need to vent 💖”
- Person 1: “STG this job is gonna be the death of me. Customers are so rude 😠”
  Person 2: “That’s so frustrating! You deserve to be treated with respect 😤”
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Respond to STG by playing along with someone’s exaggeration. People usually exaggerate for a reason—so you might as well just go along with it when you hear something far-fetched. You can always poke a little fun at them, too.
- Person 1: “I stg it takes a whole year for my BF to text me back 😒”
  Person 2: “That really stinks. Have you tried talking to him about it?”
- Person 1: “If I get called on to present first, I stg I’ll launch myself into the sun 😵”
  Person 2: “Isn’t the sun 93 million miles away from earth tho? 🤔”

Section 5 of 6:

Variations of STG

ISTG stands for “I Swear to God.” Some people prefer to leave a space between “I” and “STG,” while others stick all 4 letters together. Regardless of the spacing, both variations mean “I Swear to God.”^{[5]
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- “If anyone steals my parking space istg I’m gonna be so mad 😠”
- “ISTG no one ever listens to what I say 😔”

Section 6 of 6:

Alternate Meanings of STG

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Stg can occasionally stand for “sterling,” the British currency. Although “GBP” is the standard abbreviation for British currency, but some people choose to use “Stg” accompanied by a British pound sign ( Stg£). This abbreviation is especially common in the investment community.^{[6]
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- Example: The Class B Shares have a value of Stg£20,000,000.^{[7]
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STG can represent the “Shoot Em Up” genre of video games. The STG acronym is based on the word "shooting," rather than the phrase "Shoot Em Up." This game genre is pretty self-explanatory—you either play as a character armed with a a weapon or as a giant weapon (like a spaceship), and your main goal is to shoot lots of enemies in your immediate vicinity with crazy amounts of ammo.^{[8]
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- Person 1: “What’s your favorite type of video game genre?”
  Person 2: “STG games definitely! Metal Slug will always have a special place in my heart 🔫🧡”
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STG can be short for “SubTheGamer,” a popular YouTuber. If you’re a big basketball fan, you’ve probably watched some of STG’s content. If someone mentions an “STG video” or something similar, they’re probably referring to the YouTuber.^{[9]
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- Example: “Yooo did you see the STG video that just dropped? 👀”
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STG sometimes means “Security Threat Group.” In a prison setting, you might see the term STG thrown around. In this context, it refers a Security Threat Group, or a gang of dangerous prisoners.^{[10]
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