The Cubing Dictionary

Welcome to the secret language of cubers. Use these terms to sound like a pro, even if your average is 2 minutes.

A

Algorithm (Algo)

A sequence of moves to achieve a specific result. Usage: “I forgot the algo and now my cube is a salad.”

AUF (Adjust U Face)

The final flick of the top layer to align the colors after finishing an algorithm. Reality: The move you forget to do when stopping the timer, resulting in a +2 penalty.

C

Corner Twist

A physical state where a corner piece flips in place, making the cube unsolvable.
The act of physically twisting it back when no one is looking. (We saw you.)

CFOP

Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL. The method everyone tells you to learn.

D

DNF (Did Not Finish)

When something goes wrong during a solve in competition. Emotional Translation: Pain. Suffering. Why do I do this?

F

Finger Tricks

Using specific fingers to flick layers instead of grabbing the whole cube with your hand like a sandwich.

L

Lookahead

The ability to see what you need to do next while your hands are busy doing the current thing. Expectation: Jedi foresight. Reality: Staring blankly at the cube for 3 seconds between moves.

M

Main

The cube you trust with your life. The one you bring to competitions.

Maglev

Using repelling magnets instead of springs. Because friction is so 2020.

N

Non-Cuber (Muggle)

Someone who says, “I just peel the stickers off” or “My cousin can solve it in 2 seconds.” (Spoiler: They can’t).

P

PB (Personal Best)

Your fastest time ever. Note: It usually happens when no one is watching and you definitely didn’t scramble it properly.

Pop

When a piece flies out of the cube mid-solve. It turns a speedcube into a projectile weapon.

R

Regrip

Changing your hand position on the cube. Too many regrips = slow. Goal: Be like an octopus. Never let go.

S

Sub-X

”Sub” means “Under”.

Sub-20: You average under 20 seconds.
Sub-Minute: You average under 60 seconds.
Sub-way: A sandwich shop. Don’t eat your cube.

T

TPS (Turns Per Second)

How fast your fingers fly. High TPS + Bad Lookahead = Solving the wrong thing very quickly.

Z

Z-Perm

A PLL case where two pairs of edges need to swap. Why is it funny? Because everyone hates recognizing it.