“Sus,” an abbreviation of “suspicious” or “suspect,” describes a person or situation perceived as questionable or untrustworthy. It is often used in online gaming communities, particularly among players of the social deduction game Among Us, where identifying impostors posing as crewmates is a core gameplay mechanic. Outside of gaming, it has broader applications in online slang, signifying doubt or mistrust in various contexts. For instance, someone sharing a dubious story might be labeled “sus.”
The term gained significant traction online alongside the rising popularity of Among Us in 2020. The game’s mechanics of deception and deduction fostered frequent use of “sus,” which subsequently spread to other online platforms through social media, streaming, and meme culture. Its conciseness and versatility contributed to its adoption into wider internet slang, evolving beyond its initial gaming context. The term’s prevalence provides insight into the evolution of online communication and the impact of gaming communities on language.
