What is a sneaky link? The term’s meaning, usage and origin

It is amazing how new terms are introduced in social media. While some of the words may have straightforward meanings, others are quite difficult to understand. Most of the terms are slang, usually borrowed from lyrics of trending songs. One phrase that has brought excitement on social media is ‘sneaky link’. What is a sneaky link, and what is its origin? Michael Adams, Professor of English at Indiana University, offers insights on the meaning, usage, and implications of engaging in sneaky links.

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Slang phrases are commonly used among the young generation, the largest social media user group. Sneaky link is one of the latest phrases that has gained popularity on social media, especially TikTok. What is a sneaky link? Find out the phrase’s meaning and where it originated.

What is a sneaky link?

It is a term commonly used on social media to refer to someone you secretly see or hooking up with and do not want other people to know. The word ‘sneaky’ insinuates discreet or hidden, while ‘link’ means to meet up. This type of relationship can either be a sexual or non-sexual experience. The phrase could also refer to the affair between two people secretly seeing each other.

Michael Adams, a professor of English at Indiana University, said in an interview that the definitions of sneaky links may still be unsettled as they are relatively new words that slang dictionaries have overlooked. However, he explained:

Broadly, though, it means a 'clandestine relationship' – whether romantic and sexual, romantic but not sexual, or simply sexual – in which the partner is unknown to all but the person making the sneaky link. Sometimes, friends know that there's a sneaky link, but for it to be sneaky, they shouldn't know who their friend's sneaky link is. Now, speakers also use sneaky links to mean the partner. You could say, 'Tonight's a sneaky link night (the connection),' or say, 'I'm off to meet my sneaky link (the person).'

How is "sneaky link" used in conversations?

Professor Adams explained that sneaky link is a slang term used to hide a secret in face-to-face and online interactions. He said:

Sneaky links are a good example of how slang sometimes obscures a subject – people who aren't familiar with sneaky links won't know what to make of them if they overhear them. The link is 'sneaky' because it's on the ultimate down low: no one but the linked people knows who's connected, when contact occurs, or the nature of that contact.

The expert emphasized that this deliberate vagueness makes sneaky links effective in concealing information even when openly discussed among those in the know. He also mentioned that, although the concept of sneaky links has been present since the beginning of secret communication, online or digital platforms play a significant role in promoting the practice of this term, allowing for a new level of clandestine relationships with greater discretion.

Are there any potential risks or implications associated with engaging in 'sneaky links'?

Professor Adams mentioned some risks that could occur when engaging in sneaky links. They include:

1. Invasion of privacy

The word sneaky link entails: if no one knows who your sneaky link partner is or when you meet or how, if your sneaky link partner ends up dangerous, no one can help you. I think especially of online sneaky links (the connections) in which dangerous sneaky links (the people) propose sneaking around in person rather than online and harming the other person. An adult can develop a sneaky link with a minor online and then exploit the minor in person.

2. Secrecy: The alluring aspect of a sneaky link, secrecy, can enable bad actors.

3. Cheating: If a sneaky link cheats on another partner, it usually results in a bad outcome for everyone involved.

Where did the phrase sneaky link originate?

The phrase gained prominence after being used in the song Sneaky Link 2.0 by American artist Hxllywood featuring Soulja Boy and Kayla Nicole in 2021. It later went viral on TikTok as most content creators used the song as a background song when uploading their videos, seemingly hinting at their secret affairs.

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Sneaky link vs friends-with-benefit

Friends-with-benefits (FWB) is an affair between two people with no-strings-attached, which is quite similar to a sneaky link. However, the partners know each other, and they might share a friendship or a connection that makes them close and fond of each other. They do not hide their relationship, and their friends know about it.

For a sneaky link, partners avoid emotional or friendly connection and prefer keeping the affair as discreet as possible. The partners hook up in person secretly, and there are no-strings-attached.

Is a sneaky link different from a situationship?

Yes. It is different from a situationship. In a sneaky link, the affair is kept secret, while in a situationship, it is not hidden, and the partners have not defined the relationship. Even though there is an emotional attachment in a situationship, the relationship is not defined.

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There are different ways the term has been used in social media by people to show they are secretly hooking up with another person. Here are various ways the phrase has been used online.

• In videos - You can use the song as your video music background when you create content on social media. It is the most preferred way by many people to suggest their secret affair.
• In conversation - Since the affair is a secret hook-up, you do not want to disclose the person’s identity to other people. Therefore, instead of mentioning their name, you can refer to them in a conversation using the term.
• In direct messages (DMs) - The phrase is usually used as a conversation starter with the person you intend to hook up with.

Frequently asked questions

1. How did sneaky link become popular? The phrase went viral after being used in the song Sneaky Link 2.0 by Hxllywood in 2021.
2. What does sneaky link mean? It may refer to a person you are secretly hooking up with or an affair kept secret by partners.
3. What are the rules for sneaky links? It may have several rules, but the key ones are secrecy and no-strings-attached.
4. What is the risk of a sneaky link? It involves secrecy and is dangerous to meet someone you do not know much about.
5. What is a sneaky link app? It is an application which connects individuals who are interested in a secret affair.
6. How long does a sneaky link last? There is no time limit for partners who have established the affair.
7. Is a sneaky link different from a friends-with-benefit relationship? Yes. In a sneaky link, the affair is secret, and no one else knows about the affair. On the other hand, there is no secrecy in friends-with-benefits and the partners are usually considered good friends.

What is a sneaky link? It is mostly used on social media, especially TikTok, to refer to a secret affair between two people or a partner who a person hooks up with and does not want to reveal their identity. The phrase gained popularity in 2021 after it was used in a song.

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