What’s a Penjamin? How Gen Z Uses This Silly Slang Word

Download Article

Learn where “penjamin” comes from and how it became so popular

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: July 15, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Slang Meaning

|

Origin

|

How It’s Used

|

Memes

|

Warnings

Gen Z has a way with slang, and if you’re wondering what on Earth a penjamin is, you’re in the right place! “Penjamin” is slang for a marijuana vape, and we’ve got everything you need to know about where the word came from and how it’s used online. Keep scrolling to learn more!

What does Penjamin mean?

“Penjamin” is a slang word for a marijuana vape that resembles a writing pen. It’s a combination of the words “pen” (also slang for a vape) and “Benjamin” (slang for a $100 bill), implying that the penjamin is valuable or important. “Penjamin” is used comically in memes and TikTok videos to refer to vaping.

Section 1 of 4:

Penjamin Slang Meaning

Download Article

A penjamin is a sleek, discreet marijuana vape that looks like a pen. “Penjamin” is a silly portmanteau (a word combination) of “pen” and “Benjamin.” “Pen” is a nickname for vapes in general, and “Benjamin” is a nickname for a $100 bill, so a penjamin is considered a high-quality or valuable item. These vapes are usually slim and somewhat resemble a writing pen, making them discreet and easy to use on the go.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The word penjamin has gotten so popular that there are now vapes called “The Penjamin” from several cannabis product brands (and some actually write, too!). Most of the time, though, penjamin is a generic slang term.
- Some people say “Mr. Penjamin” to make a joke of the fact that “penjamin” sounds like a name (and to make it sound more formal or fancy).

Section 2 of 4:

Where did Penjamin come from?

Download Article

1
The word “Penjamin” probably first surfaced on Twitter/X in 2019. The first known use of “penjamin” is in a post by @youngfishgod from 2019 that says, “Just hit the penjamin franklin n I can’t stop eating out of the fridge.”^{[2]
X
Research source} The user called the vape “penjamin franklin” to sound more formal for comedic effect, and “can’t stop eating out of the fridge” describes being accidentally too high after taking a hit of the pen.
- The word started making rounds online as a funny way to refer to vaping habits. By January 2021, “penjamin” was added to Urban Dictionary (defined as “another name for a dab pen”).^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2
“Penjamin” got popular when YouTuber Fulcrum started using it in 2022. In a video from October 2022, Fulcrum said he was going to go to “double penjamin city” and “take his first smackington off the penjamin” (the video featured him being “way too faded” at a Burger King). The video got 800,000 views over 2 years and helped catapult “penjamin” into mainstream Gen Z slang.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Phrases like “double penjamin city” and “smackington off the penjamin” show the lighthearted, unserious way that people generally use “penjamin.”

Section 3 of 4:

How is “Penjamin” used?

Download Article

1
People say “penjamin” to refer to vapes in a playful, affectionate way. “Penjamin” sounds a little stiff and formal for a weed vape, but that’s what makes it such a fun-to-use term. Since it’s also a play on a person’s name, it makes the pen seem like a little buddy or a friendly accessory you can carry around with you. It’s common to put on an elitist accent and use other formal-sounding words along with “penjamin” for a humorous effect.
- “Hey, can I hit your penjamin?”
- “Noooo TSA took my penjamin! 😩”
- “May I offer you a hittington of sir penjamin, good fellow?”
2
TikTokers make funny videos about hitting their penjamin too hard. On TikTok, some users post silly clips of themselves looking stoned or doing something strange while they’re super high with captions about hitting the penjamin. Usually, the videos focus on getting too high on accident or starting some unforeseen (and hilarious to watch) shenanigans under the influence of marijuana.
- For example, this TikTok by @that.toothgap.girlll says “pov: older brother's penjamin.” The clip shows a girl staring blankly into the screen with red, high eyes (caused by hitting the penjamin too hard).^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Or, this TikTok by @namesless.james has the caption “when you thought the penjamin wasn’t ripping so you hit it extra hard” and shows a man coughing with a face filter on that gives him baggy under eyes and a stoned look.

Section 4 of 4:

Penjamin Memes

Download Article

“Penjamin” shows up in funny memes about being attached to your vape. Most of these memes show the penjamin as a coping mechanism for the stresses of life or a trustworthy sidekick who always has your back. The relationship with the penjamin reflects a kind of nihilist sense of humor (the existential dread of the world is real and constant, but at least we have the penjamin to keep us sane!). They’re also a bit self-deprecating and poke fun at people’s semi-reliance on weed to get through the day.
- For example, this meme shows a boulder labeled “depression” held back from falling on a person by two walls labeled “penjamin” and “memes.”
- Or, this meme GIF shows a rocket launch in reverse with the caption “Houston, we forgot the penjamin.”

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Marijuana (including vapes and penjamins) is still illegal at the federal level and is not legal in all US states and territories, so be cautious posting about hitting the penjamin to avoid potential legal trouble. In states where weed is legal, you must be 21 years old to consume it.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0