Alina Rodriguez
ENG110-1
No Wins Just Losses
Going into the test Jasmine knew she was definitely taking an L on that test; she was out
partying all night and hadn’t even studied. Recently, there has been a spike amongst teenagers
using the slang “Taking an L”. The meaning attached to the phrase is supposed to be taking a
loss, but teenagers have used it casually amongst each other to mean any failure or loss they may
have endured; as in the example with Jasmine. Nevertheless, taking an L is a popular slang, and
its origin and use is not so unfamiliar. The origin, the popularity and the use is how “Taking an
L” became it.
The popular slang amongst teenagers first originated from sports, specifically basketball.
Usually, when players are being interviewed they would describe their victorious triumph as
