The world of vaping is rife with jargon and terminology which can seem daunting to new and experienced users alike. Below are some of the key words and phrases used in relation to e-cigarettes in this handy e-cig glossary.

Atomiser: An atomiser is usually the top section of an e-cigarette that contains the E-liquid, sometimes called a cartomiser (see below). This then attaches to the battery component of the e-cigarette. It works by heating an element inside the atomiser, known as the coil, which heats and vaporises the E-liquid, creating the vapour  which gives the illusion of "smoke". An atomiser can come in various forms depending on the type of e-cigarette that you use. 

Battery: Normally the longest part of the electronic cigarette. The battery gives power to the atomiser via a switch. Batteries come in various different sizes. The higher the capacity (mAh rating), the longer your battery will last between charges.

Bottom coil/concealed coil: Bottom coiled clearomisers have the wick and coil assembly at the bottom of the tank, most of these are concealed. 

Bottom fill: A clearomiser that fills from the bottom. To fill these clearomisers, undo the battery from the clearomiser, turn upside down and fill from the bottom.

Cartomoiser (also known as a "carto"): A cartomiser is similar to a clearomiser but instead of a tank, a cartomiser has wadding inside which soaks up the e-liquid.  The wadding is around the heating element inside the cartomiser. That then feeds the heating element (coil) with the e-liquid. Some cartomisers can hold anywhere between 3ml and 6ml of e-liquid.

Cartridge: Depending on the type of e-cigarette you use, this is the replaceable or refillable part of the electronic cigarette that contains a filter and holds the e-liquid. 

Clearomiser: The clearomiser is the section of the e-cigarette containing the liquid. This usually comes as a transparent/clear unit so that you can see how much liquid you still have, so you know when to re-fill.

Cloud chasing or cloud chasers: Those vapers who like producing big plumes of vapour. 

Coil: The coil is the heating element that is inside the atomiser, again with varying types, dependant on the manufacturer. They all have some kind of wicking material to deliver the e-liquid to the coil. Some of the clearomisers have replaceable coils.

Dripping: Describes dripping drops of e-liquid directly into an atomizer versus using a cartomiser, or act of dripping e-liquid on to a dripping atomiser, dripping e-liquid directly on to the coil.

Dripper: This refers to dripping atomisers. Also known as an RDA. Also used to describe the act of dripping e-liquid directly on to the coil and wick sections.

Drip tip: Specifically designed mouth pieces. Drip tips are removable and come in many different designs. 

Dry Hit: When the wick doesn’t provide the coil with enough e-liquid, or when your coil has come to the end of its usable life, the e-cigarette will produce little vapour and feel dry. 

Dry Burn: A method of cleaning or enhancing the performance of an atomizer where the user activates their device until the coil is glowing red hot. This practice should only be used by experienced vapers.  

Ego: This refers to a certain type of e-cigarette. The EGO was originally developed by a company in China. The EGO has now become the standard type of e-cigarette and is popular with new users. 

E-liquid: The fluid that is put inside a clearomiser section of electronic cigarette. The e-liquid is then heated to the point of vaporisation. E-liquid comes in various strengths and flavours and larger bottles can be purchased. 

Juice: Another name for e-liquid. 

Juice well: The part of a re-buildable atomiser (RDA) that catches excess e-liquid.

Lung inhale: When a user takes the vapour directly in to the lungs.

MOD: Short for a modification made to an e-cigarette. Also used to describe e-cigarette devices with variable voltage or variable wattage. The term “MOD” has evolved to include all matter of specialty electronic cigarettes and personal vaporisers.

Modder: A person who makes or modifies electronic cigarettes and personal vapourisers.

Nic: Abbreviation of nicotine. 

Nic hit or nic rush: The sensation you get from the effects of nicotine, similar to that first cigarette of the day.

Nicotine:  Nicotine is the addictive and stimulating drug that is found in the majority of e-cigarette liquids. Also used to quantify the amount of nicotine contained in the e-liquid. The amount of nicotine that can be found in e-liquid generally varies from 0mg to 36mg of nicotine. Or 0% - 3.6% of the volume. 

Pass-though: A charging device that provides the user with a continuous power source and uninterrupted use whilst the unit is charging. 

PG: An abbreviation for propylene glycol. Propylene glycol (PG) is one of the base components of e-liquids. PG is colourless, non-toxic and widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also used as a preservative in food.

PV: Is an abbreviation of Personal Vaporiser. This is another term used to describe an e-cigarette. It is sometimes used instead of 'e-cig'. It is a battery powered device for turning e-liquid in to vapour.

RBA: An abbreviation of re-buildable Atomiser.

Re-buildable: Re-buildable units have a replaceable coil and wick. Generally used by experienced vapers who wish to customise their vaping experience to suit their needs.

RDA: An abbreviation of Re-buildable Dripping Atomiser. 

Resistance: Refers to the resistance of the coil. These usually range between 1.5 and 2 2 ohms. Lower resistance coils provide a warmer vaping experience and create more vapour. This can also intensify flavour. Higher resistance coils provide less vapour and a cooler vape.

Sub ohm: When the resistance of the coil is lower than 1.2 ohms. This should only be done by experienced vapers.

Tank: E-liquid reservoir.

Throat hit: The sensation when the vapour hits the back of the throat when you inhale. Higher nicotine levels tend to provide most throat hit as does do the PG heavy e-liquid.

Top coil: A clearomiser that has its coil at the top of the tank. These are usually top filled clearomisers.

Top fill: A clearomiser that fills from the top.

Vaping: The act of using an electronic cigarette. Opposed to the term "smoking” which refers to a conventional tobacco cigarette.

Vape mail: Is a delivered parcel or envelope containing vaping hardware and or e-liquid. For vapers, it’s like Christmas time!

Vaper: A person who vapes or uses an electronic cigarette.

Vapour: The process that happens when e-liquid is vapourised.

VG: An abbreviation of vegetable glycerine. Vegetable glycerine gives a smoother throat hit when used in e-liquids. It is used In food and beverages, cough medicine, toothpaste, mouthwashes, skin care products, shaving cream, hair care products, soaps and water-based personal lubricants. Glycerol serves as a sweetener.

VV and VW: VV means Variable Voltage and VW means Variable Wattage. A VV device makes it possible to change the voltage or wattage on your device (MOD) to give you the throat hit you require. This is a handy feature to have on an e-cigarette as it allows the user to customise their vaping experience.

Volts: Is the term used to measure the output of power the battery is providing to the coil.

Watts: The term used to measure the amount of power and heat that is generated. The amount of watts produced can be controlled on variable wattage devices, sometimes referred to as “mods”.

Wick: The thread/material that soaks up e-liquid to be vaporised by the heating element. 
Some coils and wicks are replaceable and can be purchased when your coil/wick has come to the end of its usable life.

510:  A common and popular style of threat type on atomisers. Also used for the size of drip tips