E-Cig Glossary
Here you will find a glossary of all the terms we hope will explain the world of electronic cigarettes and help you make your vaping experience more enjoyable
We are constantly adding to this page, so check back often. If you have a question about an abbreviation or term you don’t see on this page, leave us a comment and we’ll get right on it for you! We are constantly reviewing and adding terms to our glossary so stay tuned for any new terms that have entered the vaping world and let us know of any that we haven’t covered by sending dropping us a line.
A
Adapter - An adaptor enables you to use different styles of atomizers or cartomizers to fit different electronic cigarette batteries. Vapours who like to use different styles of atomizers but want a different battery will need an adaptor.
Analog Cigarette - Otherwise known as a traditional tobacco cigarette.
Alternative Cigarettes - Another name for electronic cigarettes and vape devices.
Atomizer - Atty as it’s sometimes known is a component inside the electronic cigarette which uses low heat to convert the e-liquid nicotine into vapour. The battery heats the wire in the atomizer which in turn heats the liquid on the wick turning it into a vapour which the user inhales.
Atty - Shortened version for Atomizer (used in forums).
Automatic – An electronic cigarette that doesn’t have a button to activate the heating element, instead the vapour activates the heating element by drawing on the tip to start heating.
Automatic Battery - An electronic cigarette battery which automatically functions when someone inhales (no switch). An electronic cigarette battery that automatically functions when the vapour is inhaled.
B
Batt - Shortened version for battery (used in forums). Otherwise known as a battery of the electronic cigarette
Battery (Abbreviated as Batt) – The most important part of the electronic cigarette .The rechargeable battery piece of an electronic cigarette is the part that provides power to the heating element. This allows the heating element to heat the nicotine liquid into vapour that a user inhales. Most electronic cigarettes employ a lithium ion battery which ranges in size. Otherwise known as Batt. The battery is the component that makes the electronic cigarette function. as it provides the power to activate the heating element which heats the e-liquid. Batteries are rechargeable and range in size.
Battery safety is paramount, please be careful to only use the battery charger supplied with your kit.
Battery Charger - Necessary for recharging the electronic cigarette battery, chargers include: wall outlet chargers, car and USB electronic cigarette chargers.
Blanks - Blanks are empty electronic cigarette cartridges that are to be filled with e-liquid
Bridge - A u-shaped cover inside an atomizer which helps to absorb e-liquid and draw it towards the heating element.
C
Cart – Abbreviation for Cartridge.
Car Adapter - This is a car battery charger which uses a USB charger cable so you can charge your electronic cigarette whilst driving.
Carto - Otherwise known as a cartridge
Cartomizer - (Abbreviated as Carto). These are generally disposable, inexpensive and hold e-liquid in larger amounts than a regular cartridge/ atomizer. Is the combination of a cartridge and atomizer in one unit.
Cartridge - Sits in the mouthpiece of an electronic cigarette and contains the wick which absorbs e-liquid. E-liquid containing nicotine is stored in the cartridge. Cartridges are refillable and can be replaced.
CE4 Electronic Cigarette – This type of electronic cigarette is one of the oldest but also most trusted styles of vape device which supports the more regular traditional smoker. It gives a strong throat hit giving you a similar feel to a traditional cigarette.
Charger - The device used to charge the battery of your electronic cigarette.
Chest/Lung Hit - The feeling that vapour and the use of the electronic cigarettes gives you in in the throat or chest when inhaling e-liquid vapour.
Cleaning Cycle - Turning the battery on for a constant 20-40 seconds to help burn and e-liquid residue off the atomizer. Removing the cartridge before this process prevents the polyfill from melting onto the atomizer.
Clearomizer - The component of an electronic cigarette which contains a wick and coil but has no filler material. Similar to a cartridge without a polyfill.
Coil - Heats up inside the atomizer when the battery is on.
Condoms - The rubber sleeves that come on the ends of cartomizers the sleeve that comes on the end of a cartomizer
Core - Is a dry cartridge that does not contain e-liquid/e-juice. Can be filled with the vapours e-liquid of choice.
Cutoff - A mechanism on some batteries which prevents overuse by automatically stopping the device helping to protect the device from burning out.
D
Digital Cigarette - Also known as an electronic cigarette
Disposable E-Cigs - An electronic cigarette that can be disposed of, similar to the traditional tobacco cigarette.
Draw - The inhalation by the vaper on the mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette.
Drip Tip – An accessory that can be used in conjunction with an atomizer or cartomizer. These have a larger opening than the original equipment and allows a user to drip e-liquid directly onto the atomizer. Some people use a drip tip on their Cartomizers simply for looks and/or comfort as the soft drip tips feel more like a cigarette filter in the mouth.
Dripping – A method of adding e-liquid to the atomizer or fill material to refill an electronic cigarette. A user will drip a few drop directly onto the bridge before vaping. Many users feel this method produces the best vapor production and taste, since there is no filler material involved with the process.
Dry Smoking - The flooding of the atomizer with a solution in a 3 piece electronic cigarette model so that residue is cleared. Be cautious not to damage the atomizer by overheating.
E
ECA - Electronic Cigarette Association. Liberty Flights is a foundering member of the IBVTA
ECF - e-cigarette-forum.com is the most popular and widely populated forum about electronic cigarettes
E-Cig – Abbreviation for Electronic Cigarette
E-Cig Accessories - Additional pieces you purchase to enhance your vaping experience using e-cigarettes. These can include chargers, extra batteries, cases, usb, atomizers and much more that make using e-cigarettes easier.
E-Cigarette, E Cigarette, ECigarette, ECig, E-Cig, Digi-cig, E-Ciggy, Personal Vaporizer - Other names and terms used for electronic cigarette vape devices.
Electronic Cigarette - An electronic cigarette is a battery-powered electronic device which converts a flavoured liquid that also contains nicotine or non-nicotine solution otherwise known as e-liquid into water vapour. Many resemble the look of a traditional cigarette.
E-Liquid - Also referred to as E-Liquid, Juice, or Smoke Juice. Is a liquid solution which consists of many flavours and comes with or without nicotine in a free base standard base. The liquid is mixed with propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG), flavourings and water. Both PG and VG are common food additives and when heated in the electronic cigarette create a vapour. There is a wide variety of flavours available along with varying strengths of nicotine concentrations Other terms for e-liquid: E-Liquid, Juice, E-Juice, Nicotine Fluid, smoke juice
ECF - E-Cigarette-Forum.
eGo - An electronic cigarette style and brand which uses the ‘510’ battery and allows you to use the ‘510’ components but with a larger battery.
E-Smoke - A term for the vapour emitted by an electronic cigarette when in use.
F
FDA - Abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration
Filler Material (Abbreviated as Filler) - The material that is placed inside a cartridge to help keep the e-liquid inside of the cartridge and deliver it to the atomizer. Most electronic cigarette atomizers come with Polyfill as the filler material. but there are many modifications available that can enhance the vaping experience.
Flavour Cartridge - Another term for the electronic cigarette cartridge, containing e-liquid.
Flooding – Occurs when too much e-liquid is applied to the atomizer. Atomizers require a little air to allow for e-liquid to properly vaporise. If too much e-liquid is added it will decrease vapour production and flavour.
Food and Drug Administration (Abbreviated as FDA) – An administrative branch of the Australian government that oversees rules and regulations pertaining to the safety of food and drug products sold in AUS.
G
H
Hit - The inhale of vapour from an electronic cigarette
Hot Cigarette – Slang for a traditional tobacco cigarette
I
J
Juice – Also known as e-liquid or smoke juice. This liquid contains nicotine, PG and flavouring and is vaporized when using an electronic cigarette.
K
L
Leaking – When too much e-liquid is added to a cartomizer, clearomizer or atomizer causing the e-liquid to leak from the bottom of the heating element and onto the battery. This can damage the device
LED - (abbreviation for the light emitting diode) the end of an electronic cigarette can sometimes contain light to simulate a traditional electronic cigarette. The light also alerts the user when the battery needs recharging. The LED light glows brighter than other lights and uses less energy to do so.
Light Emitting Diode (Abbreviated as LED) – A diode that converts applied voltage to light. These are commonly used in electronic cigarette devices to indicate that the device is activated.
Lithium-Ion Batteries - The strongest and most powerful battery in the electronic cigarette range.
Liquid – Also known as e-liquid, e-juice or Juice. The liquid that is placed in a Clearomizer or Cartridge that contains nicotine. This liquid is vaporised when using an electronic cigarette.
Low Resistance (abbreviated to LR) - An atomizer or Cartomizer with a low Ohm, generally lower than the standard equipment. This can cause the heating element in an electronic cigarette to heat up faster and produce vapour quicker. It some cases it can produce more vapour than a standard resistance rating in a carto or atty.
LR - Abbreviation for Low Resistance.
M
Manual - A type of electronic cigarette that has a button either on the top or side that activates the heating element when pushed. The only way for the device to be activated is by pushing the button and then inhaling on the device. This style of device is less like a traditional cigarette, which is of the preference of the vapour.
Manual Battery - The battery of an electronic cigarette that is activated only when a button found on the device is pushed.
Manual Switch - A switch found on an electronic cigarette that when pushed allows for the device to be used by the vapour.
MC - Menthol Crystals which are used to make some e-liquids.
MG - Milligram. In relation to e-liquid and how much nicotine per millilitre is present
Micro Cigarette - The smallest electronic cigarette that looks more like a traditional cigarette in size. These electronic cigarettes are 50mm-99mm in size and can contain between 0.5ml to 1ml of e-liquid.
Microcomputer - A highly advanced component of the electronic cigarette that signals the battery to send a charge of power to the atomizer to kick start the e-cigarette.
Microprocessor - A part of the battery in an electronic cigarette that is responsible for the control of the heating element and LED light
Mini-Cigarette - A small electronic cigarette sized between 116mm-139mm.
Milligrams (Abbreviated as mg) – Refers to the amount of nicotine found in e-liquid or e-juice. The most common levels of nicotine found in liquid are 0mg, 6mg, 8mg, 12mg, 16mg, 18mg, 24mg, 30mg, and 48mg. Medium levels of Nicotine are 16-18mg, those who prefer higher levels are generally heavy smokers (pack or more a day) or have been vaping for many years.
ML - Milliliter is a measure of e-liquid/juice (Milliliters) The measure in which liquid and e-juice are measured.
Mod – Is used to describe device modifications made by the vapour to either: generate more vapour from a cartridge or to change the design of the electronic cigarette. Mods can have larger lithium batteries to create a longer battery life of the device, this also allows for the vapour to increase or decrease the voltage of their electronic cigarette to gain optimum performance.
Modder - One who modifies PV's the name of a vapour who modifies their device.
Mouthpiece - The tip of the electronic cigarette that the vapour places their mouth on when inhaling the vapour.
N
Nic - Nicotine Abbreviation for Nicotine
Nicotine Level - Refers to the amount of nicotine found in e-liquid or a cartridge. Nicotine levels are measured in mg or ml.
Nicotine Liquid - The nicotine solution that is vaporized in the e-cigarette. The liquid is contained in the clearomizer.
Nicotine - A substance that is present in traditional and electronic cigarettes that produces a pleasant sensation when inhaled.
NRT - Abbreviation for Nicotine Replacement Therapy
O
Ohm - The measure of electronic resistance from an electronic cigarette battery. The lower the ohm number the lower the resistance, the faster the heating of e-Liquid.
P
Pass-through (PT) - Plugs into a USB port on your computer to allow for vaping without having to worry about battery life, you can also use it with a portable USB or USB adapter. Unlike batteries, Pass-throughs tend to run on a higher voltage creating warmer vapour and a greater throat hit. You can also use a PT with a portable USB power supply or a USB power adapter, as long as they are compatible.
PCC - Abbreviation for Personal Charging Case.
PEG - Abbreviation for polyethylene glycol.
Personal Charging Case - Otherwise known as a PCC is a case that holds and charges your e-cigarette. The case is slim, compact and has the ability to fit into your pocket, much like the e-roll PCC. The PCC is charged through a battery adapter at home, but when fully charged allows you to go all day without having to charge your PCC.
Personal Vaporizer Abbreviated as PV - PV is also another name for an electronic cigarette generally used in reference to an untraditional electronic cigarette style.
PG – Abbreviation for Propylene Glycol.
Pooling - There are two types of pooling: 1. When e-liquid pools at the bottom of a clearomizer, not soaking into the filter. 2. when a clearomizer is overfilled and the eliquid “pools” on top creating leakage of the electronic cigarette.
Priming - A technique used on the automatic battery that helps to produce the most vapour. This technique requires taking a deep inhale to heat up the atomizer when warmed the battery is primed.
Pod Vape System - A replaceable vape prefilled e-liquid pod used in a usually small battery. The system is convenient, discreet. It works similar to the pod coffee system.
Portable Charging Case - This case allows you to charge your electronic cigarette on the go while holding a few cartomizers and cartridges. There is no need for a power source such as a computer or wall adapter.
Propylene Glycol (Abbreviated as PG) – Is an ingredient found in e-liquid and e-juice. This ingredient when heated will produce vapour when inhaled. PG produces less vapour to Vegetable Glycol but will produce more flavour and a greater throat hit.
Polyfil - (aka stuffing/batting/fibre/wool) The material that fills the cartridge otherwise known as stuffing, batting, fibre or wool and is the material that fills the cartridge.
Pull - Also referred to as the draw or hit that the smoker gets from the vapour out of the e-cigarette.
Q
R
S
Sensor - Is a small part in an electronic cigarette battery that detects when the vapour has taken a drag.
Smart Chip - Within the electronic cigarette battery is a computer chip that allows the device to function.
Smoke Juice – The liquid found in an electronic cigarette that contains nicotine. Also known as e-liquid, liquid or e-juice. This liquid is vaporized when a user inhales from the device.
Smokeless Cigarette – Another name for an electronic cigarette. a smokeless cigarette is used to describe an e-cigarette it produces no smoke when inhaled and exhaled but instead water vapour.
Starter Kit – The basic electronic cigarette starter kit that is required to begin vaping. Much like our Liberty Flights starter kits, kits come with 1 or more atomizers, 1 or more batteries, a charger and cartridges for e-liquid. Some starter kits also come with a bottle of e-liquid so that vaping can begin on its arrival.
Snus - A form of nicotine replacement where a nicotine tab is used.
T
Tank - A name for a part of an electronic cigarette that holds e-liquid.
TH - Abbreviation for Throat Hit.
Throat Hit - A term used to describe the feeling felt on the back of the throat when inhaling e-liquid vapour from an electronic cigarette. This feeling is meant to mimic a similar feeling to inhaling from a traditional cigarette. The levels of nicotine in a device can affect the hit, the higher the nicotine content the harder the throat hit.
Topping off - Refilling the clearomizer with e-liquid
U
USB Charger - A charger for your electronic cigarette that allows you to charge your device in a computer or laptops USB port.
USB Passthrough - (aka PT) Is an empty battery which has a wire and a USB plug and runs off your computer's power or a portable power pack Abbreviated to PT. This is an empty battery that runs off your computer or power pack. This battery has a wire and USB attached to allow for connection.
V
Vape – The action of “smoking” an electronic cigarette. Since e-cigarettes actually produce vapour (rather than smoke) people refer to this as “Vaping”. The action of inhaling from an electronic cigarette. As an e-cigarette produces water vapour not smoke like a traditional cigarette user prefers to call the cation vaping.
Vaping - An alternative word for eSmoking. The habit or pastime of using electronic cigarettes. Many electronic cigarette users call themselves, “Vapours” and participate in “Vaping” instead of smoking. The word used to describe “smoking” from an electronic cigarette. Users refer to themselves as vapours who instead of smoking participate in vaping, as no smoke is produced from an electronic cigarette.
Vapour - When an electronic cigarette user inhales from a device and then exhales the product exhaled is referred to as vapour. This is because water vapour is produced when the e-liquid made from propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, nicotine and flavour is turned into a gas by the device's atomizer.
Vapour Cigarette – Another name for an electronic cigarette, this name derived from the fact that electronic cigarettes produce water vapour when exhaled.
Vapour Production – This term is associated with e-liquid indicating how much vapour is produced from the device through an average inhale.
Vaporiser - Another term used for an electronic cigarette as a component in the device turns e-liquid into a vapour.
Vapour Smoking - A term used to describe using an electronic cigarette.
Vegetable Glycerol or Vegetable Glycerin (Abbreviated as VG) – Is one of the ingredients found in most brands of e-liquid. This ingredient is heated to produce vapour from the electronic cigarette. VG is known to produce more vapour than PG but can provide less of a throat hit and flavour. For users who are allergic to Propylene Glycol, it is vital that they use e-liquid made from 100% VG liquid.
VG - Abbreviation for Vegetable Glycerol or Vegetable Glycerin.
W
Wick - A poly fibre that soaks up e-liquid in the clearomizer to be vaporized and heated.