What Does Bussin Mean?

Bussin means something is extremely good — like, top-tier, chef's kiss, no-notes good. While it originally and primarily refers to food ("this pasta is bussin"), it's expanded to describe anything that's exceptionally great.

If something is bussin bussin (doubled for emphasis), it's transcendent. It's beyond good. It's a religious experience.

Where Did Bussin Come From?

Bussin has roots in AAVE and Southern American English, where it's been used to describe delicious food for years. The word "bust" (as in "busting with flavor") evolved into "bussin" as a descriptor for food that goes unreasonably hard.

TikTok user Janelle Rohner helped popularize it with her viral food review videos in 2021, where she'd enthusiastically declare things "bussin" while tasting various dishes. From there, it spread like wildfire across the platform.

How to Use Bussin

  • Food: "These tacos are absolutely bussin. I need the recipe."
  • Emphasis: "Not just bussin — bussin bussin. Life-changing."
  • Beyond food: "This playlist is bussin, not gonna lie."
  • Asking: "Is that new ramen place bussin or nah?"

Examples in the Wild

"my grandma's cooking is always bussin bussin. she doesn't miss."
"made dinner for the first time and it's actually bussin?? who am I"

Why It Matters

Bussin fills a gap in English that "delicious" and "good" just can't cover. Some things aren't just good — they're BUSSIN. It's enthusiastic, it's specific, and it's fun to say. Language should be fun sometimes. Bussin is proof of that.