What does it mean to run 1s? An In-Depth Guide to Gaming, Sports, and Slang Number Terms
As a tech geek and data analyst who loves streaming and gaming, I often hear strange number terms like "run 1s" or "710" thrown around. These numeric phrases may sound like gibberish to outsiders, but they carry loaded meaning in context.
In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, I‘ll break down the definitions behind gaming, sports, drug, sex, communication, law enforcement, military, and hip hop number slang. Consider this your expert decoding manual for numeric lingo.
Let‘s start with gaming and sports – fields I know plenty about as an avid streamer and pick-up player…
Demystifying Gaming and Sports Number Slang
If you‘ve ever watched competitive video gaming or sports, you‘ve probably heard gamers or athletes yell out cryptic number phrases. Things like:
- "Wanna run 1s?"
- "He‘s running the 1!"
- "They‘re going for a 2 for 1!"
As your guide, I‘ll decode what these gaming and sports terms actually mean so you can keep up with the action:
Run 1s – Play 1 vs 1
If a gamer asks "Wanna run 1s?" they‘re challenging you to a 1 vs 1 match in a competitive video game like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Madden or NBA 2K.
1 vs 1 is the purest test of gaming skill, so "running 1s" puts your abilities directly against a rival‘s. Elite players will run 1s constantly to sharpen their skills.
In basketball, "running 1s" means playing a 1 vs 1 pickup game, often to 11 points. NBA superstars like Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving can often be seen "running 1s" in viral videos, showing off their ridiculous handles and scoring ability in the rawest hoops format.
As a serious gamer and hooper myself, running 1s is a crucible that forces you to master spacing, shooting, dribbling, defense and scoring instincts. It‘s just you versus your opponent on the virtual or blacktop battlefield.
Run the 1 – Play Point Guard
If you hear someone is "running the 1", it means they‘re playing the point guard position in basketball. The point guard is essentially the on-court leader – they call out plays, dictate tempo and distribute the ball to teammates.
All offense flows through the point guard, so "running the 1" requires floor general skills. NBA greats like Chris Paul, Steve Nash or Stephen Curry exemplify master point guard play.
In a pickup game, the player who brings the ball upcourt and initiates play is by default "running the 1". To showcase your handles and court vision, you‘ve got to call next game and get your shot running the 1.
2 for 1 – Taking Two Shots in One Possession
A "2 for 1" is a key late-game strategy in basketball where the offense rushes to take two shots within a single possession. This gives them two chances to score before the defense gets the ball back.
The math works out in the offense‘s favor. Let‘s say a typical NBA possession has around a 45% chance of producing points. Two possessions at 45% each gives 0.45 x 0.45 = 20.25% odds of scoring twice. Compare that to a single possession with 45% odds – clearly, the 2 for 1 maximizes your opportunities.
That‘s why you‘ll often see the team that‘s down late hurriedly drive to the basket or launch threes with under 30 seconds left – they‘re angling for that crucial extra look. As a fan, it‘s exciting to watch teams trade 2 for 1 buckets in end-game shootouts.
Bonus Basketball Slang Terms
Here are some more common basketball phrases that use numbers:
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bunnies | Easy, uncontested shots around the basket |
| 3 and D | A role player specialist who shoots 3-pointers and plays strong defense |
| 5-Out | All 5 offensive players spaced outside the 3-point arc |
| 4-Point Play | A 3-pointer plus a shooting foul for a free throw |
As a lifelong basketball junkie, I‘ve picked up on all the numeric lingo used on the court. Hopefully breaking down these examples gives you insight into the shorthand hoopers use!
Now let‘s move on to number terms used in drug culture and sexual contexts…
The Coded World of Drug and Sex Number Slang
While gaming has its own specialized language, numeric slang has even deeper roots in drug use and sexual practices. Coded terms like "420" and "69" hide meanings that may not be obvious at first glance:
420 – Marijuana/Cannabis Consumption
If you‘re in cannabis culture, you know that 420 refers to smoking weed or THC/CBD consumption. But have you ever wondered where the term came from?
As legend has it, a group of California high school students in the 1970s would meet at 4:20pm daily to smoke marijuana together. They began using 420 as a discreet codeword to refer to their cannabis hobby.
The story spread and 420 became universal slang among marijuana smokers. April 20 (4/20) is now considered an unofficial cannabis holiday, with public smoke sessions and rallies held annually.
According to a recent Gallup poll, over 43% of U.S. adults have tried marijuana, so a huge chunk of the population is familiar with the 420 phenomenon. As legalization spreads and cannabis becomes more mainstream, don‘t be surprised if 420 references become even more pervasive.
710 – Concentrated Cannabis Oil/Dabs
If 420 refers to conventional marijuana, then 710 is slang for higher-potency cannabis concentrates. Specifically, it means hash oil, wax, or dabs that are vaporized and inhaled.
The logic behind 710 is simple – turn it upside down and it spells "OIL". Hence 710 became code for super-charged cannabis extracts and the concentrates community adopted July 10 (7/10) as an unofficial holidy.
Dabbing is a newer niche activity compared to traditional 420 weed culture, but it‘s growing. Concentrates are a fast-acting, intense way for regular users to get elevated. Next time you‘re at a 420 celebration, keep an eye out for the 710 oil rigs too!
69 – Simultaneous Oral Sex Position
When it comes to sex slang, the infamous number is 69. Specifically, 69 refers to the position where two partners simultaneously perform oral sex on each other in a strategically arranged circle.
The origins of 69 as coded sex language are murky, but it rose to prominence through hippie and free love movements in the 1960s. Graffiti art and cartoons helped popularize 69 as a euphemism for mutual oral pleasure.
Now 69 is universally recognized as shorthand for this intimate act. It‘s referenced in everything from movies to song lyrics to adult entertainment. For consenting adults, it can be an enjoyable sensual experience and the 69 position has cemented its place in sexual culture.
Numbers pop up frequently as coded language in cannabis, intimacy and other taboo realms. Hopefully this gives helpful background context next time you encounter 420, 69 or 710!
Now let‘s explore the numeric slang used in communication and law enforcement contexts…
Communication and Law Enforcement Number Codes
Number-based slang didn‘t just come out of thin air – much of it evolved from practical number codes used in radio communication and law enforcement. When certain terms went mainstream, their meanings got changed in the process.
For example:
411 – Communicating Information or Gossip
Asking "what‘s the 411?" means you‘re looking for the latest news or gossip about a situation. This comes from the telephone directory assistance number 411 that you could call to get information.
The mainstream 411-as-info slang arose in the pre-internet 80s and 90s. But today most people under 30 have never even used telephone directory assistance! Even though the original utility is outdated, "411" persists as hip shorthand for "give me the lowdown".
10-20 – Asking for Someone‘s Location
"What‘s your 10-20?" means asking someone where they‘re located. This is adapted from police scanner codes used by law enforcement.
Specifically, 10-20 meant providing or requesting a subject‘s position or location. Saying "I‘ve got the suspect at 10-20 Main and 5th" discreetly communicated critical location data between officers.
Once 10-20 migrated into general slang, it became a cheeky way to ask your friend where they‘re at. I‘d say "what‘s your 10-20 bro?" is second only to "what‘s your 20?" in popularity as coded location lingo.
5-0 – Police Officers
When you see "5-0" in gaming chats or rap lyrics, it‘s referring to the police. This evolved from the police radio code 10-50, which meant "officer needs assistance".
After being shortened to 5-0, it turned into universal slang for the cops or law enforcement in general. Teenagers in particular seem to get a kick out of using 5-0 instead of just saying "police".
But this slang isn‘t limited to delinquents! I‘ve heard law-abiding citizens jokingly use 5-0 to refer to the police as well. The spread of 5-0 is a great example of how underground codes can influence mainstream culture.
Clearly law enforcement numeric codes have shaped communication slang. Next let‘s look at military and tactical number terms…
Decoding Military and Tactical Number Slang
Along with radio codes, the police and military share their own internal numeric slang that also bled into pop culture:
Got Your 6 – I‘ve Got Your Back
If someone says "I‘ve got your 6", they mean "I have your back" or "I‘m watching out for you". This comes from military aviation term "6 o‘clock", referring to the rear direction.
So by covering someone‘s 6 o‘clock, you‘re guarding their back from surprise threats. It expresses loyalty in dangerous situations. The "got your 6" ethos is essential in infantry units or fighter squadrons where servicemembers put their lives in each other‘s hands.
Even outside of combat zones, "got your 6" is used by law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and private security who rely on partners for safety. Veterans also continue using it as civilian shorthand for "I‘ll be there for you". The 6 o‘clock metaphor perfectly captures that trusted partnership mentality.
What‘s Your 20? – Asking for Position
"20" is another bit of slang adapted from tactical radio chatter. Specifically, it comes from the 10-20 police code referring to someone‘s location.
But in military and SWAT cases, tersely asking "what‘s your 20?" became common for confirming friendly positions. In hostage rescues or close-quarters combat where seconds count, briefly stating your "20" could save lives.
"20" joins "6" in the lexicon of tactical slang that spread based on the urgency and precision of frontline usage. Special forces use an extensive numerical shorthand to communicate critical information rapidly in the field.
Now let‘s examine how numbers permeate rap, hip hop and urban culture…
Number Slang in Rap, Hip Hop Culture
Beyond the worlds of gaming, drugs and public service, numeric slang also arises organically from street culture:
Drip – Having Strong Style and Swagger
If someone is said to "have drip", it means they have an impressive sense of style and confidence. The "drip" metaphor refers to wearing high-end clothes and accessories that figuratively ‘drip‘ with status and command respect.
Like many slang terms, "drip" emerged from rap lyrics and African American Vernacular English (AAVE) dialects. Rappers talk extensively about designer clothing and jewelry that contributes to their powerful drip. Other subcultures have adopted drip to mean any impressive aesthetic or attitude.
A related numeric slang word is "swag", meaning a person‘s impressiveness and magnetism. Swag and drip both quantify an intangible personal quality that radiates from someone with strong presence and style.
Poges – Young Passive Gay Man
The term "poges" means a young, effeminate homosexual male. It‘s often used disparagingly to imply weakness that‘s stereotypically associated with flamboyance and femininity.
Similar to "drip", poges comes from urban AAVE dialects and derivations of the word "punk". As an example, a high school bully might dismissively call a flamboyant classmate "just a poge". Like "fag", it‘s an insulting slur for gay men.
Shotti – Shotgun or Makeshift Cannabis Pipe
In rap lyrics, a "shotti" can refer to either a shotgun or a roughly constructed cannabis smoking pipe.
Shotgun: The weapon connotation plays into gangsta rap themes of urban crime and violence. Rappers brag about carrying or shooting shottis on the streets.
Pipe: It also refers to an improvised pipe for smoking marijuana made from metal or plastic tubing. Like a shotgun barrel, these DIY smoking devices are dubbed "shottis" in hip hop culture.
So in rap music, "shotti" has a double meaning based on illegal guns and drug paraphernalia central to the outlaw image.
Numeric slang clearly evolves from the preoccupations of its subculture of origin. hopefully this gives perspective on how numbers figure into rap‘s lexicon of style, sexuality and vice.
Wrap Up: Analyzing Number Slang across Cultures
In this extensive guide, we‘ve traced numeric slang terminology from its specialized roots into the mainstream:
- Gaming – "Run 1s", "run the 1", "2 for 1" and more
- Sports – "Bunnies", "3 and D", basketball shorthand
- Drugs – 420, 710, coded marijuana culture
- Sex – 69, oral sex position
- Communication – 411, 10-20, information and locations
- Law Enforcement – 5-0, police and radio codes
- Military – "Got your 6", "What‘s your 20?", tactical lingo
- Urban Culture – "Drip", "poges", "shotti", hip hop slang
From these examples, we see how niches like gaming, crime and the streets incubate numeric codewords that crossover into pop culture at large.
Specialized lingo allows groups to identify each other and preserve secrecy. But once terms like 420 or 5-0 diffuse into mass media, their coded nature is diluted. Still, numbers continue to be appropriated for new slang even as older terms become dated.
The ability of numbers to carry dual meanings makes them well-suited for conveying hidden information. For any subculture, numbers are flexible linguistic building blocks that can expand communication options.
As both a gamer and technologist immersed in the evolving digital landscape, analyzing this linguistic phenomenon has been fascinating. I hope relaying my insights shed light on the meanings and origins of common coded number slang for you as well!