What Does 'WPS' Mean On TikTok? The Viral Slang Term Explained

White people have been the subject of a lot of memes over the years, including the viral "white people when" format and the "white people at the function" memes. Now, a slang term and acronym is going viral on TikTok to describe the type of stuff white people love to do that people of color might not.

The term is "WPS" and it has a storied history online that dates back over a decade. Here's what WPS means and why it's seeing a resurgence online.

What Does 'WPS' Mean?

While the exact origins are unclear, but the acronym "WPS" has been floating around online since as early as 2010, when it was first defined on Urban Dictionary. The definition explains that WPS stands for "white people s--t," essentially meaning anything that white people like to do that people of color may not. Some examples include horseback riding, camping, hunting, pick-up trucks, baked chicken and "the economy."

The term is oftentimes used in a tongue-in-cheek manner and with a negative connotation, often painting WPS as cringeworthy or unnecessary. The term is also sometimes used self-deprecatingly by white people who know that they're doing WPS. It became increasingly popularized online throughout the 2010s and has recently become significantly prevalent on TikTok in the 2020s.

How Is 'WPS' Used On TikTok?

On TikTok, "WPS" has become a popular hashtag, with over 206 million collective views under the tag. Some of the top videos are examples of "WPS," including a video of a group of white college students serenading a girl. In general, the term has spread across the app as a way of calling white people out for their WPS, often in a joking manner.

Recently, a TikToker went viral after posting a video with her partner in which they explained that they're no longer going to wear shoes, even when going out in public. The video gained over 7 million views in just two days and became the subject of criticism, with many calling it out as a prime example of "WPS."

For the full history of WPS, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.