There is always a lot to learn if you are playing a new game for the very first time, whether it is mechanics, key binds, or something else. To go along with this the player base may also have adopted certain names, abbreviations and even acronyms for certain features of the game and these are not always obvious to a newcomer. This article aims to provide a quick reference guide that defines the terms a new Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player is likely to encounter as they foray into competitive or casual matches.

Weapon Specific

Auto – Sometimes accompanied by the insult noob, usually describes the Automatic Sniper rifle (SCAR-20 or GS3G1).
AWP(er) – The AWP sniper rifle, or if accompanied by the ‘er’ somebody using one.
CZ – The CZ75 Auto Pistol, sometimes affectionately called the pocket AK.
Juan Deag - The act of getting a single shot kill to the head with the Desert Eagle pistol.
Kit – The Counter Terrorist defuse kit.
Molly – Nickname for the Molotov or incendiary grenade.
Nade – Usually refers to a standard HE grenade.
Nade Stacking – Multiple people using their HE grenades at the same time, usually in a tight corridor or choke point.
Pro 90 – A derogatory term for the P90 sub machine gun, making fun of its relative ease of use.
Rifle – Can refer to any of the weapons under the rifle tab of the buy menu, but more often than not refers to one of the two primary weapons (AK-47 or M4).
Shotty – Can be used to describe any of the shotgun weapons.
Swag-7 – Affectionate term for the MAG-7 Counter-Terrorist shotgun.

Round Specific

Anti-Eco – The opponent has been forced on an eco-round and you are going up against it.
CT / T Side – The Counter-Terrorist or Terrorist side of a map.
Eco – A round where you do not have enough in game money to buy a decent rifle, Kevlar/helmet and grenades.
Force Buy – Not having enough in game money for a full buy but making do with what you have to buy cheaper weapons because the situation calls for it (could be the last round of the half for example).
Full Buy – Buying a primary rifle, Kevlar, Helmet, full grenades (and a defuse kit if you are on the Counter-Terrorist side).
Save – Cutting your losses towards the end of a round and attempting to survive, keeping hold of the weapon/armour and any grenades you may have for next round.
Site Stack – Sending more than the default amount of people to a particular site or position, often in anticipation of the enemy going that way.

Situation Specific

Blind – Under the effect of a flash bang, the severity can be determined by using full or half before it.
Block – Being in front or behind somebody and due to player collision blocking them from moving in the direction they desire.
Boost – Certain spots in the game are only reachable by a player jumping onto the head of a crouched player and then jumping again.
Clutch – The last person alive on a team is in a clutch situation, this can be against one or multiple opponents.
Dinked – Similar to Lit, refers more specifically to being shot in the head.
Fake – This can apply to a number of things, but most commonly will refer to a bomb plant or bomb defuse being faked.
Kick – Kicking a player from your team by using the vote option.
Lit – The person in question has taken a lot of damage to their health.
Lurking – Also sometimes described as flanking, it is the act of moving about the map looking to get behind or surprise the opposite team.
Ninja – Can refer to any sneaky play, but is usually applied to somebody defusing the bomb when there is still Terrorists alive protecting it.
Peek – Using the A and D keys efficiently to check common positions.
Pre-fire – Pre-emptively shooting in places you expect the enemy to be when peeking or rounding a corner.
Retake – Losing control of a bombsite and attempting to take back the control of it.
Rotate – Usually applies more to the Counter-Terrorist side, it refers to making a player leave their position to go and cover where the enemy are believed to be heading.
Smoked – The presence of a smoke grenade blocking the way or trapping you in.
Trade – Killing an opponent that has just killed the teammate you are with, essentially trading their lives.
Wallbang – Being shot at or shooting through a wall or object that allows bullet penetration.

Acronyms

BG – Bad game, the bad mannered equivalent of good game, often said by the losing team.
GG – Good game, the universally accepted polite way to end a game.
GH – Good half, said after fifteen rounds at the switching of halves.
GL – Good luck, usually said in all chat at the start of a game.
HF – Have fun, may sometimes accompany the good luck at a start of a match.
NS – Nice shot, generally a compliment for an impressive shot.
NT – Nice try, complimenting or encouraging a nice attempt or shot.
TK – Team killing, can be intentional or accidental and excessive use will result in a ban from competitive matches.
WP – Well played, further niceties at the end of a match.

Map Specific

There are also a lot of names for different locations and sections within each of the most popular maps. The radar found in the top left corner whilst in game has most of the common ones built in, it is a good way to start learning what people mean when they are calling out Cat, Heaven, Xbox or similar. There are also a large number of resources and guides available online that can help you get to grips with the map specific call outs. Getting to know them will help you to identify exactly where you, your teammates and your opponents are on a map simply by using the appropriate nickname.

People like to impart their own personal twist on things and as a result you may find some of the terms and definitions we have covered in this article vary slightly from region to region or player to player, though this is usually not by much. I hope as a whole this list will prove to be a useful resource for anyone starting out in Counter-Strike and provide a decent outlet for players looking to expand their in game vocabulary.