What is a “Skill Issue”? Definition, Possible Origins & More (2024)

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An inside look at the meaning and uses of this popular slang term

Co-authored byJanice Tieperman

Last Updated: March 7, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Definition
  • |
  • How to Use
  • |
  • How to Respond
  • |
  • Origins
  • |
  • Other Meanings

Skill issue” is a silly and sarcastic way to speak to someone who’s losing (or having a bad time) in a video game. This playful phrase is typically used in a meme capacity rather than a serious one, but it can be used in various circ*mstances. We’ll go over everything you need to know about this term, including where it came from, how to use it, and how to respond when it’s directed at you. We’ll even cover the professional meaning of “skill issue” in the workplace to give you the full picture.

What is a skill issue?

A “skill issue” is a cheeky way to poke fun at someone who’s having a bad time while playing a video game. Although it can be used to acknowledge an actual difference in skill, it’s most commonly used to goad a player for circ*mstances beyond their control.

Section 1 of 5:

Skill Issue Definition

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  1. “Skill issue” is a joking insult used to taunt fellow gamers. Some players use the term in a semi-serious way to point out a definitive skill gap, but the term is most commonly used in a playful or ironic sense when a player’s skill is irrelevant to the situation at hand.

    • Some people say “sounds like a skill issue” or “simply a difference in skill” rather than “skill issue” on its own.[1]
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  1. 1

    Taunt a fellow player when they’re having a bad game. Maybe you’re 1v1ing a friend in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or are teaming up with someone in a League of Legends game. Whenever they complain about negative circ*mstances in the game, hit them with a playful “skill issue.”

    • Person A: “How does Ahri keep dodging me???”
      Person B: “Skill issue”
    • Person A: “I accidentally missed my combo… I’m gonna freak out”
      Person B: “Sounds like a skill issue to me”
  2. 2

    Joke about something that the player has no control over. Did something totally random or unfortunate happen to your friend? Poke fun at their misfortune with a sarcastic use of “skill issue.”

    • Person A: “Sorry I disconnected, my dad somehow managed to unplug our internet router??”
      Person B: “Skill issue”
    • Person A: “My power just went out…”
      Person B: “L + ratio + skill issue”
      • In this context, L+ ratio is another type of cheeky taunt used to playfully degrade someone.[2]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Respond to “Skill Issue”

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  1. Respond to “skill issue” with something equally snarky. At the end of the day, “skill issue” is a remark used jokingly—it isn’t meant to be a serious insult. Still, a sarcastic comeback can be a fun way to turn the tables on a fellow gamer who’s trying to get under your skin. Try saying something like:

    • “You would know!”
    • “You’re right. I should’ve known that… [insert unpredictable scenario here]”
    • “Come on, is that all you got?”

Section 4 of 5:

“Skill Issue” Origins

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  1. “Skill issue” emerged from the gaming community around 2020. There’s no internet celebrity or iconic screenshot credited with the birth of “skill issue,” but it definitely became a buzzword on Twitter and Reddit as a taunting reply to gamers who were venting about their video game experiences online. Chances are, someone uttered the now-famous phrase on Twitch or in the chat section of a Twitch stream.

    • GIFs captioned with the phrase helped it to spread to other social media platforms (like Discord).
    • “Skill issue” is often used on TikTok.[3]
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Section 5 of 5:

Other Meanings of “Skill Issue”

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  1. “Skill issue” can refer to an issue with someone’s professional skills. In the world of HR and the professional workplace, “skill issue” isn’t a snarky comment at all—it’s a lack of know-how that prevents a worker from giving 100% to a given job.[4]

    • Professional skill issues come in all shapes and sizes. Technical skill issues can refer to someone who lacks up-to-date knowledge in their field (e.g., someone who got a computer science degree in the 90s or early 2000s), while soft skill issues can refer to someone who isn’t great at communicating or getting along with their co-workers/employees.

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      About This Article

      What is a “Skill Issue”? Definition, Possible Origins & More (25)

      Co-authored by:

      Janice Tieperman

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project.

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      Co-authors: 3

      Updated: March 7, 2024

      Views:335

      Categories: Multi Platform Games

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      What is a “Skill Issue”? Definition, Possible Origins & More (2024)

      FAQs

      What is the meaning of skill issue? ›

      A skill issue can be defined as a discrepancy or insufficiency in an employee's skill set that hampers their ability to perform their job effectively. It encompasses various aspects, including technical expertise, soft skills, and transferable skills.

      What started the skill issue? ›

      “Skill issue” emerged from the gaming community around 2020.

      Chances are, someone uttered the now-famous phrase on Twitch or in the chat section of a Twitch stream. GIFs captioned with the phrase helped it to spread to other social media platforms (like Discord). “Skill issue” is often used on TikTok.

      What is a skill issue in Internet slang? ›

      You can take the phrase literally — to imply that a gamer is having trouble accomplishing a specific task in a game because of a lack of a specific skill — or more sarcastically, like if a player's game controller died, so their losing the game was completely out of their control, their co-player would joke, “That's ...

      Why is everyone saying skill issue? ›

      It's meant to be an insult. The term suggests that if a player was better at the game, they simply wouldn't have whatever problem they're having. Most people who do this are trying to troll the person who posted originally, especially when the person is looking for help to do something hard in a game.

      What is the definition of a skill? ›

      : the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance. b. : dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned physical tasks. 2. : a learned power of doing something competently : a developed aptitude or ability.

      What is the meaning of skills and examples? ›

      an ability to do an activity or job well, especially because you have practised it: Ruth had/possessed great writing skills. I have no skill at/in sewing. Synonyms. artistry.

      What is the origin of skill? ›

      From Middle English skill, skille (also schil, schile), from Old English scille and Old Norse skil (“a distinction, discernment, knowledge”), from Proto-Germanic *skilją (“separation, limit”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“to split, cut”).

      When to say skill issue? ›

      You can take the phrase literally — to imply that a gamer is having trouble accomplishing a specific task in a game because of a lack of a specific skill — or more sarcastically, like if a player's game controller died, so their losing the game was completely out of their control, their co-player would joke, “That's ...

      Where do skill come from? ›

      A skill is something that embodies the knowledge, competency and ability to perform a task. They are developed through life and work experience and can also be learned through study.

      What does "pookie" mean? ›

      Pookie is a vocative case, which is what you call someone. So saying someone "is Pookie" is the same as saying someone "is Honey" or "is Sweetie." Pookie is now being used as a third-person reference when it originally was used in the second person, changing its meaning to fit an ever-changing internet lexicon.

      How to handle a skill issue? ›

      Here are some effective strategies to tackle skill issues: Identify and Define Skill Gaps: Begin by identifying and defining the specific skill gaps that exist within the organization. This involves assessing the current skill levels required for each role and comparing them to the skills possessed by employees.

      Who said skill issue? ›

      Where does skill issue come from? The term is believed to have originated on gaming platforms like Twitch and Reddit, along with variations “simply a difference in skill” and “sounds like a skill issue.” A Reddit post asking about the origin of the phrase suggests it came from someone saying it in a Smash Bros.

      Is it okay to have no skills? ›

      Many believe they must possess a particular skill set or extensive experience to secure a fulfilling career. Fortunately, everyone has some abilities, whether it's problem-solving skills, attention to detail or manual dexterity. Even compassion and attentive listening can be useful on the job.

      Is it OK to not have any skills? ›

      Yup, that's pretty normal. You can't do much about having no talents, but skills are things you can learn. Every one has a skill or talent. Life is about having this human experience one at a time.

      What is more important than skill? ›

      When it comes to success in any area of life, many people tend to focus on skill and expertise. However, the truth is that attitude plays a much more significant role in determining success than most people realize.

      How do you overcome skill issues? ›

      Here are six steps to help you overcome the skills gap:
      1. Write out what you know.
      2. Write out what you believe you don't know.
      3. Identify skills and experience related to what you believe you don't know.
      4. Enhance your skill set.
      5. Tell yourself that you can learn it.
      6. Tell people that you can do it.
      Sep 26, 2017

      What is the skill issue set in Discord? ›

      The Finals: Best Medium Weapons, Ranked

      Once the process is done, you will find the Discord Quest-exclusive Skill Issue cosmetic bundle added to your inventory in The Finals. The components include a beanie with a pair of headphones, a tank top, leggings, sneakers, a tattoo, and a sticker.

      What does lack of skill mean? ›

      not qualified or suited for a purpose. inexperienced, inexperient. lacking practical experience or training.

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