Derogatory slang for an AI system, robot, or automated agent — especially when it fails spectacularly. Exploded on TikTok in 2025 as a catch-all insult for AI chatbots. Has a dark-humor register that "robot" never did — casting AI as clanking and clumsy rather than sleek.
"Asked the clanker to summarize a contract. It hallucinated a clause."
clanker means Derogatory slang for an AI system, robot, or automated agent — especially when it fails spectacularly. It's mostly used in casual online conversation. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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The slang born in the last two years that's still fighting for legitimacy — clanker, demure, canon event, AI slop, aura farming. Half of these will stick; half will fade by next summer.
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Browse all slang words starting with C.
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