The Ultimate Guide to Vape Terminology & Vaping Slang

If you’re puzzled by vaping lingo and terminology, this guide breaks down the essential terms you’ll encounter. From essential hardware terms to slang expressions, we’ll help you understand what means what.

What Is Vaping? The Absolute Basics

Let’s start with the fundamentals. These are the terms you’ll hear constantly in any vape shop or online forum.

• Vape (or E-Cigarette): An electronic device that heats e-liquid to create a flavoured vapour for inhalation 

• Vaper: The term for a person who uses a vape.

• E-Liquid (or E-Juice): The fluid used in vapes, containing Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), flavourings, and optional nicotine. 

• ‘E-’: this prefix simply indicates the electronic-cigarette or the juice it’s intended for. Think of how ‘Email’ means ‘electronic mail’. 

• Vaping: The act of inhaling the vapour produced by an e-cigarette, in any style

Names for Vapes: Decoding the Hardware Lingo

Understanding different vape devices helps you choose the right one for your needs. Here’s what each type offers:

• Mod vs. Pod System: Mods are powerful, customisable vapes with separate tanks. Mods can vary hugely in power and intended function. Pod systems are simpler, compact devices that use all-in-one cartridges that will use either replaceable coils or disposable pods.

• Disposable Vape: A single-use device that’s thrown away once the e-liquid or battery is depleted. These devices are no longer legal to sell in the UK following the government’s ban on disposable vape kits which came into effect on June 1st 2025.

• Atomiser / Coil: The atomiser/coil is the component that heats the e-liquid. Ordinarily, it is a wire spring packed into an absorbing material. Electrical charge enters the coil from the battery, the coil heats u,p and the e-liquid is ‘vaporised’. 

• Tank: The reservoir on a mod that holds the e-liquid and houses the atomiser

What Do People Call Vapes? Common Vaping Slang

The vaping community has developed its own language, shorthand and lingo. Here are the nicknames, slang terms and colloquialisms you might hear from other vapers:

• Common Nicknames: General alternative names for vapes include “e-cig,” “pen,” “stick,” or simply the type, like “mod” 

• What Do British People Call Vapes?: While “vape” is the standard term, some may refer to it as an “e-cig” or by a specific popular brand name, though this is less common now that Elf Bar disposables are no longer available. 

• Cloud Chasing: The practice of using a powerful vape and thick vape juice setup to produce the largest possible vapour clouds

Understanding E-Liquid Terminology

E-liquid has its own vocabulary. Knowing these terms helps you choose the right juice:

• PG / VG Ratio: Defines the ratio of Propylene Glycol (delivers throat hit and flavour) to Vegetable Glycerin (produces vapour clouds) 

• Nicotine Strength: The amount of nicotine in the e-liquid, measured in milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL) or as a percentage (e.g., 5%) 

• Freebase: E-liquid made with traditional nicotine solution. Known for having a rough throat hit.

• Nic Salt: A newer and less-harsh kind of MTL vape juice, known to be easier to inhale.

• Bar Salt: An even newer variety of nic salt that uses additional sweeteners, coolants and flavourings to replicate the feeling of now-banned disposable vapes.

• Shortfill: A larger bottle of e-liquid sold with a 10-20ml of free-space that you can use to add nicotine to if you wish.

• Throat Hit: The sensation felt in the throat during inhalation, similar to that from tobacco smoke, which many users seek 

• Steeping: The process of letting e-liquid age for a period to allow the flavours to blend and mature for better taste

Key Actions & Vaping Styles Explained

Different vaping techniques suit different preferences. Here’s what each style means:

• MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): An inhalation style where vapour is drawn into the mouth first, then into the lungs, mimicking smoking (or drinking through a straw).

• DTL (Direct-to-Lung): An inhalation style where vapour is drawn directly and deeply into the lungs, typically used with powerful mods and high-VG e-liquid, which at low nic-strengths can be comfortable inhaled in huge quantities.

• Dry Hit: The harsh, burnt taste that occurs when the coil is fired without sufficient e-liquid on the wick. The coil will need to be replaced when this happens.

• Priming: The essential step of saturating a new coil with e-liquid before the first use to prevent a dry hit

More Vaping Terminology: A-Z

A

ADV (All Day Vape): how vapers call an e-liquid they can use all day.

Amps: short for amperage, a measure of electrical current used to measure e-cigarette batteries.

Analog Cigarette: the traditional cigarette.

APV (Advanced Personal Vaporizer): a more advanced vaping device compared to a basic e-cigarette for beginners.  

Atomiser: the electronic component inside the e-cigarette that turns e-liquid into vapour (can also be called coil).

B

BCC (Bottom Coil Clearomiser): model with the coil sitting vertically over the airflow, which reduces resistance and improves vapour production.

BDC (Bottom Dual Coil Clearomiser): model with a dual coil atomiser, which also increases vapour production and lowers resistance.

Blanks: cartridges with dry filler material to be filled with e-liquid.

Box mods: vaporisers that come in a box shape instead of a cylindrical tube – these allow more battery capacity and temperature control.

Bridge: covering inside of the atomiser, used to absorb liquid and wick it towards the heating element.

BVC (Bottom Vertical Coil Clearomiser): model with the coil at the bottom of the tank, which makes liquid reach the coil faster and more evenly.

C

Cartomiser: tank designed to hold e-liquid using fillers or Poly-fil, a cotton-like fiber.

Cartridge: plastic or metal mouthpiece with absorbent filler material to hold e-liquid.

Clearomiser: combination of cartridge and atomiser in clear material, which allows to see how much e-liquid is left in the cartridge.

Cloud chasing: the activity of producing big clouds, which is considered a ‘vaping sport’.

Coil: a wire within the e-cigarette which heats the e-liquid and turns it into vapour – can be made of nickel, kanthal or titanium.

Custom mod: when users customise their mods, making them unique and unlike any off the shelf mod.

Cut-off: safety feature which automatically shuts off the vaping device after a pre-set time, to prevent the atomiser from overheating – usually devices are set for 10 seconds.

D

Diacetyl: a harmful compound which has been found in some e-liquids, and has been found to cause ‘popcorn lung’ when used in large doses, therefore, a large number of suppliers have stopped using this compound.

Dipping: when you dip an atomiser in e-liquid before vaping.

DIY e-liquid: a homemade e-liquid mixed by the vaper.

Drip tip: the mouthpiece in the tank where you inhale the vapour from.

Dripping: when e-liquid is dripped directly onto the coil.

Dry burn: when the coil is heated with insufficient e-liquid – can be a fire hazard, so it’s advised to be careful.

Dry hit: this happens when the coil burns out.

Dry smoking: this happens when the atomiser is flooded with e-liquid, so the mouthpiece needs to be replaced in order to fix it.

E

E-smoking: smoking with an e-cigarette.

E-liquid: the liquid solution which is used in an e-cigarette. It usually contains propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, can be flavoured and contain nicotine.

ECITA: Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association, which represents the UK e-cigarette industry and campaigns for fair regulations on behalf of its members.

Electronic cigarette (E-cigarette): a cigarette with no combustion process, where an atomiser vaporises e-liquid which is inhaled as vapour – the user can choose to vape an e-liquid with or without nicotine.

END: Electronic Nicotine Device, the scientific term for e-cigarette.

F

Filler: filling material inside a cartomiser, that absorbs e-liquid supplied to the coil.

Fins: metal ridges placed on the drip tip of a tank to dissipate heat.

Flavour chaser: someone who prioritises flavour when vaping.

Flooding: when e-liquid floods the atomiser.

G

Genesis atomiser: an RBA model where the tank is below the coil deck.

Goose neck: an extended drip tip, which is available in different colours, shapes and sizes.

Grub screw: type of screw used on RBAs and RDAs to secure the coil in place.

H

Han Li (or Hon Lik): the inventor of the modern e-cigarette.

High Resistance (HR): an atomiser or cartomiser that allows the application of a higher voltage to the coil, as opposed to standard equipment.

Hit: to take a hit is to inhale vapour from a vaporiser.

Hot spot: can be found on coils and cause burning or a bad taste, usually indicating that the coil is not wrapped properly.

Hybrid: a mechanical mod without a standard threaded 510-connection, where the atomiser is directly fitted to the battery.

I

IBVTA: Independent British Vaping Trade Association, which supports the independent vaping industry.

ICR: a lithium ion cobalt rechargeable battery.

IMR: a lithium ion manganese rechargeable battery.

Inhaling: the process of breathing in the vapour from the vaporiser.

J

Joules: a measure of power used in temperature control mods – the higher the joule setting, the higher the heat.

Juice: an alternative name to refer to e-liquid (e-juice).

K

Kanthal wire: a trademarked type of wire commonly used to build coils, available in different resistances.

Kick: a device between the battery and the spring of a mechanical mod, which allows the conversion of the mod into a variable wattage device.
Knuckle head: adjustable drip tip, which can be adjusted to any angle.

L

Leaking: the common issue of e-liquid leaking out the bottom of the tank.

Li-Ion: a lithium ion rechargeable battery.

Li-Po: a lithium polymer rechargeable battery.

Low Resistance (LR): referring to the ohms on an atomizer.

Lung hit: the action of inhaling vapour straight to the lungs.

M

mAH: milliamp/hour, the measure of energy storage in the battery – the higher the mAH, the longer the battery will last.

Mechanical mod: a vaping device without safety features, that delivers power from the battery straight to the atomiser without circuitry.

Mod: a custom-built vaping device – mods allow modification of various setting such as wattage, voltage and temperature control.

Mouth to lung hit: when vapour is drawn into the mouth before being inhaled into the lungs (the way you would usually smoke a traditional cigarette).

Mouthpiece: this piece is inserted into the atomiser or cartomiser (can be a drip tip or cartirdge).

N

Nicotine (Nic): in vaping, nicotine is a yellowish or colourless liquid you can add to the e-liquid, and is available in various strengths – remember nicotine is a potent alkaloid that causes addiction.

Nicotine level: the amount of nicotine in an e-liquid, which can be measured in mg per ml or as a percentage – 5mg of nicotine per ml or 0.5% nicotine.
Nicotine shot: a 10ml bottle of flavourless nicotine that can be added to an e-liquid.

Nickel wire: a resistant wire type used to build coils with temperature controlled devices.

O

O-ring: the vape trick of blowing a big ring of vapour.

Ohm: a measure of electronic resistance – the lower the resistance, the faster the coil heats.

Organic cotton: a material used in e-cigarette wicks, as it’s easy to work with and provides great flavour.

P

Passthrough: device that can be plugged to a computer or USB charger, to provide constant power to an e-cigarette.

Pen-style: an e-cigarette model which resembles a ball-point pen.

Personal Charging Case (PCC): keeps the battery charged while away from an outlet.

Personal Vaporiser (PV): an alternative name to electronic cigarette.

Priming: the process of soaking a coil before using it, which reduces the chances of a burnt coil.

Propylene Glycol (PG): colourless liquid used in the formulation of an e-liquid to help carry the flavour.

Q

Let us know in the comments if there are any vaping terms starting with a Q.

R

RBA: a Rebuildable Atomiser – cost-saving and readily fixable.

RDA: a Rebuildable Dripping Atomiser – has a rich flavour and can be used to produce great clouds.

Regulated mod: a type of e-cigarette battery with a circuit board to regulate the current.

Resistance: the resistance of a coil, measured in ohms, which can determine the vapour and flavour the device produces.

RTA: a Rebuildable Tank Atomiser – a tank system where you build your own coil.

Ruyan cigarette: the first modern e-cigarette invented by Hon Lik.

S

Shortfill: bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid with increased flavour percentage.

Smokeless cigarette: an alternative name to e-cigarette.

Stainless steel mesh: a material used to build wicks that can provide great flavour.

Starter kit: a vaping kit for beginners, which will usually include a vaping device, an atomiser and a charging cable or battery.

Stealth vaping: discreet vaping technique used to minimise the amount of visible vapour exhaled – stealth vapers may also use smaller devices.
Steeping: the process of improving the taste of an e-liquid – this can be done using different steeping methods.

Sub-Ohming: vaping with a low coil resistance (under 1ohm) to increase vapour production.

T

Tank: a clearomiser with a large e-liquid capacity, that contains a heating element, wick and chimney.

Temperature Control (TC): setting a temperature for an atomiser to run at, instead of voltage or wattage.

Throat hit: the sensation in the back of the throat when the vapour is inhaled through the mouth and down the throat – this feeling can be different depending on nicotine level and purity of the e-liquid.

Titanium coil: an alternative to the nickel coil, as titanium is stiff and offers higher resistance.

Topping: filling in a cartridge with e-liquid.

Tube mod: a vaping device with a cylindrical shape.

U

Unprotected battery: a type of battery without circuitry protection – remember to be careful with overheating, short circuiting and overcharging.

V

Vape: meaning to inhale vapour from an e-cigarette.

Vaper: the person who vapes.

Vaper’s tongue: expression that refers to the loss of taste when the same e-liquid flavour is used too often, and taste buds become desensitised to that flavour.

Vaping: the action of using e-cigarettes.

Vaporiser: an alternative name to e-cigarette.

Vaping: the action of using e-cigarettes.

Vapour: water vapour produced when the e-liquid is heated by the atomiser.

Vegetable Glycerine (VG): a clear and odourless sweet liquid that can be used as an alternative to PG when mixing e-liquids.

Vent holes: holes in batteries, that allow gases to be expelled as a safety feature.

Venting: when gases are released through the battery vent holes.

W

Wattage: a measurement of power, used to describe the power distributed through an atomiser.

Wick: absorbent material placed in contact with the atomiser to soak e-liquid.

Wire: resistant material used to build a coil.

Wrap: when a wire is wrapped around to create a coil shape – the higher the number of wraps, the higher the resistance.

X

Let us know in the comments if there are any vaping terms starting with an X.

Y

Let us know in the comments if there are any vaping terms starting with a Y.

Z

Zero nic: e-liquid or cartridges that have no nicotine.

Now you are all up to date with the latest vaping terminology! Feel free to contact us or leave a comment below if you know more terms we can include in this glossary.

Conclusion: Speak Like a Pro

Understanding vape terminology makes your experience smoother and safer. You’ll choose better products, troubleshoot issues faster, and communicate clearly with shop staff or online communities. Whether you’re asking about coil resistance or explaining what flavour profile you prefer, knowing the lingo helps you get exactly what you want from your vape.