Slang dictionary
phrogging
[ frog-ing ]
What is phrogging?
Phrogging is the act of secretly living in another person’s home without their knowledge or permission.
A person who engages in phrogging is sometimes called a phrog or, less commonly, a phrogger. The verb form phrog is sometimes used.
Phrogging is similar to squatting except that phrogging involves living in an occupied property.
Example: I just watched a show about phrogging and now I’m going to have dreams about someone creepily living in my attic.
Where does phrogging come from?
The origin of the term phrogging is uncertain. Some explanations trace the term to the word frog, which is claimed to be a reference to the fact that a person who engages in phrogging may “jump” from place to place (such as to avoid being caught).
The term phrogging has been used in this way since at least 2014, when it was used as the title of an independent short film. Use of the term increased on social media after the release of the 2019 horror film I See You, which involves an intruder engaging in phrogging and wearing a frog mask. Awareness of the term further increased in 2022 due to the premier of the true crime series Phrogging: Hider in My House, which depicts real-life reports of the practice.
Still, real-life instances of the practice are rare, and increases in awareness of the term are often tied to depictions in pop culture.
This has been a dope movie night. Found out bout a thing called phrogging. And apparently it happens in real life.
— Steamin A. Spliff (@iamSirPlus) August 9, 2020
I just learned about phrogging in a movie. If anybody needs me I’ll never be sleeping again. I’ll be right over there hammering nails through baseball bats
— FozzieBare is querying 🦎 (@Fozziebare) April 22, 2020
Who uses phrogging?
Phrogging is most often discussed in relation to its depiction in pop culture, such as in movies and true crime shows.
Why have i watched a film about phrogging? Defo not gonna sleep tonight x
— Deano (@cdeans_) April 23, 2022
There will be no sleep tonight after watching #Phrogging on #Lifetime 😱
— JLH (indie author, blogger or something) (@JLH_Collective) July 19, 2022
I watched a horror about phrogging where people live in ur house without you knowing now I’m convinced someone is living in my attic or summet
— gracie🦇 (@graciebhc) May 18, 2022
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of phrogging 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 phrogging that will help our users expand their word mastery.