Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Arwa Mahdawi

Mascara? Accountants? Le dollar beans? On TikTok, nothing means what you think it does

Woman applying mascara
One in the eye for TikTok. Photograph: John Slater/Getty Images

OK, quick: define “mascara”. If you answered “a substance you apply with a wand to your eyelashes” or something along those lines, then congratulations – you are officially not a young person on TikTok.

If you run in those circles, however, then “mascara” is code for a variety of things ranging from a vibrator to a penis to a romantic partner.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.