"OG" stands for "Original Gangster." It is a slang term that originated in the 1970s with the Los Angeles-based gang, the Original Gangster Crips, to signify being the first or original members. Over time, the term expanded beyond gang culture and hip-hop music to broadly praise someone or something as exceptional, authentic, old-school, or the originator of something. For example, calling someone "the OG" means they are highly respected, experienced, or the original in their field or group. It can also refer to original versions of things, such as the "OG" version of a movie or product
. In gaming, "OG" similarly denotes a player, team, or content that has been around since the early days of a game, marking respect for their longevity and authenticity
. In summary, "OG" means:
- Original Gangster (literal origin)
- Someone or something original, authentic, highly respected, or old-school
- The originator or first of something
