Quick answer: dodgy (informal conversational) — Unreliable, suspicious, or of questionable quality—applied to sketchy Wi-Fi, a bad takeaway meal, or a dishonest excuse. Meanwhile, sus (Suspicious · often joking) — Suspicious, questionable, or not quite trustworthy. It can be a genuine concern or a playful reaction to odd behavior.
1. dodgy ↗
Category: Across the Atlantic
Register: informal conversational
Regions: UK, IE
Unreliable, suspicious, or of questionable quality—applied to sketchy Wi-Fi, a bad takeaway meal, or a dishonest excuse.
When it fits: Use “dodgy” in casual conversation, messaging, or sociolinguistic discussion when the listener shares the register and context makes the tone unmistakable.
When to avoid: Avoid relying on “dodgy” in formal academic, legal, clinical, or HR correspondence where unambiguous plain English prevents misinterpretation.
“Everyone in the group chat recognized “dodgy” immediately, even though we had to rephrase it in plain English for the project summary.”
In plain English: Everyone in the chat understood the informal expression (unreliable, suspicious, or of questionable quality—applied to sketchy wi-fi, a bad takeaway meal, or a dishonest excuse.), though we used standard wording in the formal report.
2. sus ↗
Category: Internet essentials
Register: Suspicious · often joking
Regions: Online
Suspicious, questionable, or not quite trustworthy. It can be a genuine concern or a playful reaction to odd behavior.
When it fits: Use it for a quick, informal expression of doubt, ideally with the detail that prompted the doubt. In a game it can simply signal suspicion about a player.
When to avoid: Do not turn a vague feeling into an accusation or use the term to stigmatize someone’s identity. Explain concrete concerns when they matter.
“The seller wants payment before showing any photos. That is sus.”
In plain English: The situation seems questionable.
Test both expressions in context
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