Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also bugging out) going crazy, suffering mental stress.

1995		(con. 1985–90) P. Bourjois In Search of Respect 236: She screamed at me, ‘Hey, you bugging? You wanta go home?’.
1995		A. Heckerling Clueless [film script] People came that like, did not R.S.V.P. so I was like, totally buggin’. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, squish in extra place settings, but by the end of the day it was like, the more the merrier!
1997–2000		Da Bomb 🌐 5: Buggin’: 1. Crazy, flipped out; to act weird. Are you buggin or what?
1997–2002		Hope College ‘Dict. of New Terms’ 🌐 buggin’ out v. To be stressed out or overwhelmed. To be on the verge of a breakdown.
1998		L. Stringer Grand Central Winter (1999) 175: Damn! [...] I’m buggin’.

2. (US campus) relaxing.

1989

Eble Campus Sl. Mar. 1: buggin’ – relaxing. ‘I’m just buggin.’.

3. (US campus) acting in a foolish manner.

1984		Whistle ‘Only Bugging’ 🎵 You don’t have to take us seriously, we’re only buggin’.
1995		L. Stavsky et al. A2Z 14/1: buggin’ – 1. v. kidding around; having fun: We was only buggin’.
2000		P. Beatty Tuff 63: ‘Okay, picture this: Cap’n Crunch — the Movie.’ ‘What? The cereal, yo? You buggin’,’ Nadine said, tapping her index finger on her temple.

4. (US teen) feeling stupid.

1997–2002

Hope College ‘Dict. of New Terms’ 🌐 buggin’ adj. Describes an uncertain feeling, somewhat indescribable, involving feeling silly or confused. Slang used by teenagers when they feel foolish, out of place, or just need a word.