This article was reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Anyah Gilmore-Jones is a Social Media Marketing Expert based in Nashville, Tennessee. An innovative experiential and social media marketer, Anyah is skilled at creating engaging brand experiences and leverages her passion for connecting people and ideas to drive organic growth for purpose-driven brands. As the founder of GROW by Gilmore, a social media strategy company, Anyah develops data-driven social media strategies focused on authentic community building. She has over 4 years of experience spearheading viral campaigns and producing content for brands like HBCU Buzz, Black & Scholared, SHEIN, and Project Art Collective. She received her BA from Howard University in Political Science and Government.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 7,344 times.
If you’ve ever been to Chicago or you hear a lot of Gen Z slang on TikTok, you may have heard the word “merch” and wondered what it means. In addition to being an abbreviation for merchandise, merch is a slang term originating in Chicago that means to prove something. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about merch, including what it means, how to use it as slang, and the term’s origins. Plus, learn alternate meanings of the word and other slang terms specific to Chicago.
What does merch mean in Chicago?
While “merch” is usually short for merchandise, in Chicago, it means to prove something. You might say “merch” when you think someone is lying or exaggerating as a way to say “prove it.” Alternatively, say “merch” to swear that what you’re saying is true and that you can back it up with evidence.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture/august-2018/24-phrases-youll-only-hear-in-chicago/
- ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Merching
- ↑ https://www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture/august-2018/24-phrases-youll-only-hear-in-chicago/
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merch
- ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Merching
- ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flodgin
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fin#:~:text=slang,%3A%20a%205%2Ddollar%20bill
- ↑ https://news.wttw.com/2024/01/08/wttw-news-explains-how-did-dibs-become-chicago-winter-tradition
- ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=kickback