Commuting used to just mean getting from point A to point B. In 2025, it’s a whole lifestyle — scrolling through TikToks underground, roasting surge prices, flexing your “traincore” selfies, and dropping memes about being late. Whether it’s the subway, a rideshare, or a bus that smells a little too weird, the commute comes with its own slang now.
Nobody just says “I’m on my way.” Instead, it’s:
Here’s the language that makes traffic, delays, and public transit chaos feel like culture.
🚇 Core Commute Slang
Subway Scroll
- Meaning: Killing time underground by endlessly scrolling TikTok or IG.
- Example (Threads): “Whole subway scroll later, still no signal.”
Surge Tax
- Meaning: Overpriced rides during peak hours.
- Example (Group Chat): “$50 to go 10 blocks. Surge tax criminal.”
Traincore
- Meaning: Aesthetic appreciation of subway vibes — graffiti, outfits, late-night mood.
- Example (TikTok): “NYC traincore fit check.”
Bus Window Main Character
- Meaning: Pretending you’re in a sad music video while staring out of the bus.
- Example (IG Story): “Bus window main character vibes rn.”
Transit Goblin
- Meaning: A chaotic commuter who causes trouble — loud calls, snacks everywhere.
- Example (Discord): “Stuck next to a full transit goblin.”
🚦 Everyday Commute Jokes
Rush Hour Rage
- Meaning: Frustration at peak-hour crowds or traffic.
- Example (Threads): “Rush hour rage hit different today.”
Platform L
- Meaning: Missing your train/bus right as it leaves.
- Example (TikTok caption): “Platform L… train doors closed in my face.”
Seat Lottery
- Meaning: The gamble of whether you’ll get a good seat.
- Example (Group Chat): “Won the seat lottery today — window, no one next to me.”
Uber Flex
- Meaning: Taking a rideshare just to avoid transit pain.
- Example (IG Caption): “Could’ve taken the train but went Uber flex.”
Commute Dump
- Meaning: Posting a carousel of blurry commute photos.
- Example (IG): “Commute dump for the vibes.”
📱 Platform-Specific Commute Talk
TikTok
- Traincore Edits: Subway aesthetic montages with moody songs.
- Platform L Clips: Videos of doors closing at the worst moment.
- Surge Tax Rants: POVs of overpriced Ubers.
- Commute Dumps: Photo carousels of subways, traffic, and fits.
- Bus Window Stories: Sad songs over bus POVs.
- Uber Flex Pics: Showing car interiors as “luxury.”
Discord & Group Chats
- Seat Lottery Brags: “Won today.”
- Transit Goblin Stories: Roasting wild commuters.
- Rush Hour Rage Rants: Sharing memes mid-traffic.
Threads & X (Twitter)
- Subway Scroll Tweets: “Scrolled through my whole FYP underground.”
- Platform L Posts: Calling out bad timing.
- Surge Tax Complaints: “Peak hour surge tax hit.”
Pull Quote:
“In 2025, the commute is more than a ride — it’s content.”
🧩 Why Commute Slang Hits
- It makes misery funny. Saying platform L feels lighter than “I missed the train.”
- It flexes style. Traincore turns a sweaty subway ride into an aesthetic.
- It builds relatability. Everyone knows rush hour rage.
- It creates content. Commute slang is built for captions and memes.
📊 Quick Table
| Slang Term | Meaning | Example Use | Where It Shows Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway Scroll | Scrolling underground | “Whole subway scroll later…” | TikTok, Threads |
| Surge Tax | Pricey rideshare peak hours | “$50 surge tax” | X, memes |
| Traincore | Subway aesthetic | “NYC traincore fit check” | TikTok, IG |
| Bus Window Main Char. | Pretending in music video vibes | “Bus window main character” | IG Stories |
| Transit Goblin | Chaotic commuter | “Transit goblin sat next to me” | Discord, memes |
| Rush Hour Rage | Anger at crowded traffic | “Rush hour rage hit hard” | Threads, chats |
| Platform L | Missing train/bus | “Platform L… doors shut” | TikTok, memes |
| Seat Lottery | Gamble on seats | “Won the seat lottery” | Group chats |
| Uber Flex | Splurging on rideshare | “Uber flex tonight” | IG, TikTok |
| Commute Dump | Posting commute pics | “Commute dump” | IG carousels |
🔚 Final Reflection
The commute isn’t glamorous, but slang makes it bearable. Subway scrolls fill the silence, Uber flexes soften the pain, and commute dumps turn chaos into content.
It’s not just about getting somewhere. It’s about how you narrate it — with slang that turns a missed train into platform L and a crowded ride into a shared laugh.
Because in 2025, every trip to work is also a trip through culture.
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