What does “frat flick” mean?
The Frat Flick is a popular dance where you flick your hand to the beat. This simple dance is a popular go-to at frat parties, and for good reason. It’s a simple dance where you raise your arm and flick your hand to the beat of whatever song is playing. It’s called the Frat Flick because frat guys usually do it the most, typically while they’re in a packed crowd in the middle of the function. A TikTok posted by @upandupfestival on November 22, 2023, shows how popular the Frat Flick really is, with all the guys in the party doing the move on multiple occasions. Another TikTok posted by @zoeebarriault on April 11, 2025, showed another person doing the Frat Flick at a Chappell Roan concert! It’s really something you can do anywhere.
Where did the frat flick come from?
The Frat Flick has been around for decades, just without a name. While the move only started gaining traction online in the 2020s, Gen X & Millennial frat guys used to do the same move back in their day. Their version was a bit different, as the fingers didn’t play as big of a role, but they were flicking just like the frat boys of today.
Why is there a “frat flick epidemic”?
The Frat Flick became an online “epidemic” in late 2023. The dance received its name around the end of 2023, with TikTok users calling out the “Frat Flick Epidemic” in November of that year. One video, posted by @caitie.hall on November 26, 2023, described the epidemic as “a contagious disease ????????.” Since the dance has gained traction, people have been doing it everywhere, from bars to college festivals. @juliacagas even combined the Frat Flick with the “ranking foods” trend in a video posted on March 28, 2025. In the video, she used small Frat Flicks to rank desserts she didn’t like, and big, expressive Frat Flicks to rank ones she did. It’s called the Frat Flick epidemic because of how many people do it! One TikTok, posted by @emma_hamlet on September 28, 2024, and captioned “it’s an epidemic,” showed a whole group of people doing the dance at an Ohio State University party.
How to Do the Frat Flick
Raise your bent arm in the air and raise your index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Raise your arm above your shoulders and bend it slightly at the elbow. Then, raise your index finger, middle finger, and thumb towards the sky. Make sure your ring and pinky fingers are relaxed.
Flick your hand to the beat of the song. Keep your arm and fingers raised in the air as you get a feel for the song. Once you feel the rhythm, flick your hand towards the sky, diagonally, or in front of you. Keep your elbow slightly bent and try not to move your arm (unless you’re really feeling the music). If you’re having trouble catching the beat, try to focus on the bass and hi-hats in the instrumental, then bop your head to their rhythm.
Pump your arm if you’re feeling the music. While most people usually just move their fingers, you can pump your arm along with your fingers if you’re really feeling the music or the vibe. Make sure you’re still on beat, bend your arm, and pump it towards the sky. Don’t be afraid to dance, either, especially if you’re at a party! Have some fun! Dance instructor Yolanda Thomas says to tune out other people’s opinions to build confidence in your dancing. Keep the dialogue in your head confident.
Where to Frat Flick
Parties This is the bread and butter of the Frat Flick. Parties are the best place to let loose and get your jam on. Whether you’re at a house party, a frat party, or a darty, you can get in the crowd and dance to the music. So, head into the crowd, bop your head to the beat, and get your Frat Flick going. If you see a group of guys Frat Flicking, too, join them! It’s a great opportunity to have fun with new people.
Bars Bars are a great place to get your Frat Flick on! Most people have a little booze in their system, so they’ll probably be dancing too. So request a song from the DJ or queue one in TouchTunes, get out to the dance floor, and flick your hand to the beat of the jams. Grab a drink if you want, too, but don’t feel obligated.
Concerts A concert is a great place to get your groove on and let yourself go wild. If you want to practice your Frat Flick and pump your arms while you do it, grab a concert ticket to see an artist you love (preferably General Admission so you’re in the crowd), and Frat Flick to their songs!
Can you Frat Flick if you’re not in a frat?
Yes, you can Frat Flick regardless of whether you’re in a fraternity or not. The Frat Flick isn’t limited to just fraternity members. Anyone can do the dance! All you need is your arms, some music, and some rhythm to match. So, don’t be afraid to raise your arm and flick your hand to the beat! It’s not off-limits.
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