Someone tells you to keep something “on the DL” and you don’t know what that means? We’ll tell you what’s behind the expression and how you use it.
Here you can find out what is behind the expression “on the DL”. (Source: Milkos / depositphotos.com)
That means on the DL: on the down low, keep secret
The expression “on the DL” comes from the English, where “DL” stands for “down low” and the phrase can be translated as “on the bottom low”. “Down Low” denotes secretive behavior. In Internet and colloquial language, keeping something “on the DL” means keeping it secret and treating it with extreme discretion.
“DL” refers to activities done clandestinely and bts. It can also describe behavior that is perceived as slick or misleading.
Abbreviations in the quiz: What do IDK, BFF and Co mean? Test your knowledge.
What does “yeet” mean?
Origin of on the DL
Like many English expressions, “on the DL” and especially “DL” is attributed to the Gay and Urban Black community. “Down low” was first understood to mean the behavior of a homosexual man who did not openly live or a homosexual man posing as heterosexual. Prior to this meaning, the term was used to mean any sort of mysterious and/or deceptive behavior.
The term evolved to describe LGBTQ men who, unbeknownst to their partners, were in sexual relationships with another man on the DL. Today the term is used more universally to describe any secretive behavior or to describe anything deliberately kept lowkey.
This is how you use on the DL
You can use the phrase “on the DL” yourself to convey to someone not to make a fuss about this. If something is “on the DL” it exists away from the mainstream. In that sense, “on the DL” is synonymous with “under the radar”.
Don’t miss anything with the NETWORK-Newsletter
Every Friday: The most informative and entertaining summary from the world of technology!