OC Meaning in Slang Explained: Use Cases & Examples

Learning new slang terminology and acronyms is essential to effectively talk on the constantly changing social media and messaging sites. One of those terms is “OC.” If you’ve heard the term or noticed it appearing in messages, this article will walk you through what “OC” means in slang on sites like Instagram and Snapchat.

What does “OC” Mean in Slang?

“OC” has different meanings depending on where it is used. Online, it typically means “Original Content,” which means a post, artwork, or work is original and not copied or reused from other people’s work. Social media and art sites often use it to check for originality.

In fan culture, “OC” stands for “Original Character,” which is a character that one has created by themselves instead of using one from an existing book, movie, or TV show. These characters are often used in fan fiction, role-playing, or personal storytelling.

Some examples of OC being used in conversation include:

• Person A: “Did you shoot that picture yourself?”
• Person B: “Yeah, it’s my OC!”
• Person A: “Who’s that character in your novel?”
• Person B: “That’s my OC! I designed them for my new novel.”
• Person A: “The party yesterday night was wild!”
• Person B: “Yes, it was OC!”

Where is “OC” Used?

“OC” highlights originality and personal creations in many creative spaces:

• Social Media: People employ “OC” on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram to show that their post is original and not copied from another person.
• Meme Culture: Makers place “OC” while making memes so that it is clear they came up with the idea and not just sharing a pre-existing meme.
• Art & Writing: Artists and writers employ “OC” to denote that an image, story, or other piece of art belongs to them.
• Fanfiction: Fan writers create original characters (OCs) in fan fiction to bring new concepts into well-established fictional universes.

Other Meanings of “OC”

“OC” can also stand for other things in different situations:

• Out of Control – People might use “OC” to describe wild or reckless behavior. For example, “His behavior last night was totally OC.”
• Open Crib – Among teens, “OC” can mean that someone’s house is open for gatherings or parties.
• Of Course – Though not as common, some people use “OC” as a quick way to say “of course” in casual conversations.