SUP

What Does SUP Mean?

SUP means "What's Up?," "Stand-Up Paddleboarding," "Support," and "Drink."

What's Up?

The acronym SUP is most commonly used in text messaging as an abbreviation of the phrase "What's up?", which is widely used with the meaning "What's new?" or "How are you?".

Even though it is a question, SUP is typically used as a greeting (i.e., a way of saying hello). When used in this way, it can also be answered with SUP. For example:
  • John: SUP?
  • Tony: SUP?
    • (Neither John nor Tony expects an answer. SUP is similar in meaning to "Alright?", which is another question that often just means hello.)

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

SUP is now widely used with the meaning "Stand-Up Paddleboarding" to refer to the outdoor water-sports activity in which a rider stands up on a large board and uses a paddle to move through the water.

Support

SUP is also a contraction of the word "Support." In this context, it is particularly common in the online game "League of Legends."

Drink

SUP can also mean "Drink," especially in the north of England. For example:
  • "Hey, sup up, lad. I've spilt more ale down my waistcoat than you've supped tonight."

Image for SUP

When I write SUP, I mean this: meaning of SUP SUP also means "Stand-Up Paddleboarding," "Support," and "Drink."

Video Summarizing SUP

Here's a short video explaining how SUP is used:

Summary of Key Points

First Definition for SUP

"What's Up?" is the most common definition for SUP on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
SUP
Definition:What's Up?
Type:Acronym
Guessability:
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition for SUP

"Stand-Up Paddleboarding" is another common definition for SUP.
SUP
Definition:Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Type:Abbreviation and Acronym
Guessability:
4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

Third Definition for SUP

"Support" is another definition for SUP.
SUP
Definition:Support
Type:Contraction
Guessability:
3: Guessable
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

Fourth Definition for SUP

"Drink" is another definition for SUP.
SUP
Definition:Drink
Type:Slang Word (Jargon)
Guessability:
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

More...

Examples of SUP in Sentences

Here are examples of SUP being used in conversations:
  • Ella: SUP, dude.
  • Aaron: Hiya. What are you up to?
    • (Here SUP means "What's Up?")
  • Player 1: I need SUP here!
  • Player 2: I'm on the way!
    • (Here SUP means "Support.")
  • Bartholomew: SUP up lad, we're leaving.
  • Percy: Hold your horses! I've just got here.
    • (Here Sup means "Drink.")

An Academic Look at SUP

When used with the meanings "What's Up?" and "Stand-Up Paddleboarding," SUP is an acronym (i.e., an abbreviation spoken like a word). In the case of "What's Up?." It is also a contraction of the interrogative sentence "What is up?". It commonly stands alone and is not usually followed by a question mark. (It is also a contraction when used with the meaning "Support.")

When used to mean "Drink," SUP is classed as slang. Slang refers to words, phrases and uses of language that are regarded as very informal and which are often restricted to a special context or a particular group of users.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "Hello" or "What's happening?" instead of using SUP with the meaning "What's Up?."

Example of SUP Used in a Text

SUP

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See Also

WTM (What's The Matter?) ELLO (Hello) HEYO (Hello) IYA (Hello) LO (Hello) LOLO (Hello Hello) HAY (How Are You?) HAYD (How Are You Doing?) HAYT (How Are You Today?) HGI (How Goes It?) HRU (How Are You?) HYD (How You Doing?)