What Does "Pog" Mean?

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Explore the history and usage of this popular slang term on Twitch

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: July 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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“Pog” Meaning

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Where did “Pog” come from?

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“Pog” is a popular slang word on Twitch that stands for “play of the game.” It’s a widely used word in the Twitch and gaming community and even has its own associated emote (a type of reaction meme specific to Twitch). In this article, we’ll dive into what “Pog” means and how it’s used, plus explore the interesting history of where it came from.

Things You Should Know

“Pog” is a slang term that means “play of the game” on Twitch that viewers use to express amazement or surprise.
The “PogChamp” emote is a popular reaction meme on Twitch featuring streamers making surprised or bewildered faces.
Use “Pog” or the “PogChamp” emote to show excitement or support during a Twitch stream (or on other platforms when something’s excellent or impressive).

Section 1 of 2:

“Pog” Meaning

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“Pog” is a slang term on Twitch that’s short for “play of the game.” Gamers and Twitch viewers use “Pog” to express surprise, amazement, or excitement when a player pulls off an impressive or unexpected move. Saying or calling something “Pog” is like saying something’s good, remarkable, or well done.^{[1]
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Research source}

Variations: “Pogs,” “Poggers,” “PogU,” “PogChamp,” and the “PogChamp” emote (an animated emoticon featuring streamer Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez making a bewildered face).

How to use: Send “Pog” or the “PogChamp” emote on Twitch to show support or excitement, or on other platforms when something’s excellent or impressive.

Examples:
- That assist was pog!
- Can I get some pogs in the chat?
- POGGERS!
- My first birthday gift came early. Pog!
- He keeps pogging the chat.
- This week is looking pretty pog 😎

Section 2 of 2:

Where did “Pog” come from?

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“Pog” comes from the original “PogChamp” emote (2010). The emote was taken from an outtakes video uploaded by Cross Counters TV that featured champion gamers Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez and Mike Ross. In the video, Gutierrez made several wild and surprised facial expressions that turned into popular reaction memes and emotes on Twitch, the most well-known being the “PogChamp” emote.
- “PogU” is another emote that came from the same outtakes video.
- The original “PogChamp” emote was pulled from Twitch on January 6, 2021 after Gutierrez made comments about the Capitol Riots that Twitch deemed as inciting violence.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} The emote now features the faces of various other streamers.