Slang dictionary
L + ratio
[ el pluhs ray-shee-oh ]
What is L + ratio?
L + ratio is used as a mocking insult on social media, often in reply to a post or opinion considered particularly bad.
The letter L is used as a slang term for loss (as in the opposite of win).
The word ratio is used in its social media sense referring to a situation in which a post has a high proportion of replies compared to likes or reposts, which usually indicates a barrage of negative replies criticizing and often mocking the post.
What does L + ratio mean?
Replying with L + ratio is used to indicate that the person it is directed toward has been (or will be) humiliated by the reaction to their post, which is being called a complete failure.
L + ratio can be used by itself or can be followed by additional insults or humorous phrases, typically connected with plus signs. Usually, these insults consist of social media slang terms or meme phrases, such as you fell off or touch grass.
In this way, L + ratio is considered a meme template that’s often customized with the addition of a string of insulting or absurd phrases.
Example:
Original Post: A hot dog is a sandwich. We know it to be true.
Reply: L + ratio + unfollowed + blocked + you put mayo on hot dogs
Where does L + ratio come from?
The phrase L + ratio combines two slang terms. The letter L is used as a slang term for loss (the opposite of win), as in You just took the L on that exchange. The word ratio is used in its social media sense that originated on Twitter to refer to a situation in which a post has a high proportion of replies compared to likes or reposts, which usually indicates a barrage of negative replies criticizing and often mocking the post. The higher the proportion, the “bigger” the ratio. Ratio is also sometimes used as a verb, as in You’re going to get ratioed for that.
The phrase L + ratio appears to have emerged on Twitter and other social media platforms in 2020. It’s now often followed by a chain of other insults.
L + ratio for being a casual
— Davis Hill (@DavefromdaHills) October 11, 2020
Clippers went all of 2020 without beating the Lakers, L + ratio
— . (@BrowtoBron) December 14, 2020
L + ratio + fell off + not a real astronaut
— Cam 🌹 (@CamBamJamFam) December 15, 2021
Examples of L + ratio
Who uses L + ratio?
L + ratio is used as a phrase and meme format on social media to insult someone’s post, opinion, or other content. Additional insults or absurdities are often added after the phrase.
L + ratio + pressed B while you were evolving
— GOOFY HADJI! (@hadjigaviota) June 8, 2022
L + ratio + u fell off + my dog ate your homework + the mets won
— Sitonai (@theforestlights) June 6, 2022
L + ratio + had you been gifted with the sorcerers sight even then would you behold but a white mare
— wasian spice (@auntiecore) June 4, 2022
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of L + ratio like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of L + ratio that will help our users expand their word mastery.