totes magotes
An extended nonsense form from the same period.
Even more dated than the base word, and knowingly so.
slang term explained
Totes
Totally — an emphatic yes, now distinctly dated.
totes
The short answer
What does Totes mean?
Totes is a clipping of totally, used to agree emphatically. It belongs to a wave of syllable-clipping slang and is now old enough that using it straight sounds like a period reference.
Background
Where it comes from
The clipping spread in the late 2000s and early 2010s, alongside a broader fashion for abbreviating adverbs. Its decline was fast enough that it now functions mostly as a marker of that era rather than as current speech.
In conversation
How to use it
Use it knowingly. Said sincerely it dates the speaker precisely, which for some purposes is exactly the intention.
Read the spelling in context
Forms people confuse
totally
The full word, which never went anywhere.
Unlike the clipping, the original still reads as current.
tote
The bag, and the verb meaning to carry.
Unrelated, and never confused in practice.
Realistic examples
Totes in a sentence
“Totes agree, we should have left earlier.”
“Using totes unironically in 2026 is a choice.”
“Totes fine, genuinely.”
Tone & nuance
What it communicates
Enthusiastic and unmistakably of its moment. It reads as ironic far more often than not.
Common questions
Totes FAQ
What does Totes mean?
Totes is a clipping of totally, used to agree emphatically. It belongs to a wave of syllable-clipping slang and is now old enough that using it straight sounds like a period reference.
Where did Totes come from?
The clipping spread in the late 2000s and early 2010s, alongside a broader fashion for abbreviating adverbs. Its decline was fast enough that it now functions mostly as a marker of that era rather than as current speech.
How do you use Totes in a sentence?
Use it knowingly. Said sincerely it dates the speaker precisely, which for some purposes is exactly the intention. For example: “Totes agree, we should have left earlier.”
Is Totes safe to use at work?
Enthusiastic and unmistakably of its moment. It reads as ironic far more often than not. A slang term like this belongs in casual conversation. In support replies, documentation or anything a stranger may read later, write the plain meaning instead so nobody has to already be in on the reference.
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