By admin

New York City is the most densely populated urban area in all of the United States (it’s also the only state that offers the CDPAP program). 

It’s famously known for its uniqueness and diversity. Nearly half of its inhabitants come from culturally different backgrounds from all across the world. 

How the culture of New York that led to it having its own vernacular

New York City is so unique that it has even created its own personal language. Hip-hop culture is a heavy influence for its creation. Nearly one-quarter of New York City’s population comes of Black/African American descent. That explains the emphasis hip-hop culture puts on New York slang. 

Another source that has influenced many of the slang terms comes from Hispanic/Latino languages. Spanish is the largest non-English speaking group, and just over 24 percent of the population speaks it. 

Without knowing some of these essential slang terms, understanding and keeping up with New Yorkers may be a struggle. 

So, here are 50 slang terms and their definitions for you to keep in mind for your next trip to the city.

  1. Ace

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): To describe something good or really enjoyable.
  • Example: “That new video game is ace! I could play it all day.”
  1. Facts

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Whatever is being said is the truth.
  • Example: Pineapple does belong on pizza, now that’s facts!”
  1. Ratchet

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What you would call a woman without any class.
  • Example: “She hits on everyone’s man! She’s such a ratchet.”
  1. B

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What you would call a friend or someone close that is to you.
  • Example: “Hey B, what are you up to tonight?”
  1. Fire

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): How you would describe something or someone that looks very attractive visually.
  • Example: “Damn girl! You lookin’ like fire today!”
  1. Beef

Meaning:

  • (Noun) What you would call a fight or describe holding a grudge against someone. 
  • Example: “Keep him away from me. We’ve had beef all year!”
  1. Real Talk

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Used when talking about something that is serious.
  • Example: “Real talk, you need to stop letting that man of yours break your heart all the time.”
  1. Baba

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What you would call someone, usually a woman, who sleeps around with everyone.
  • Example: “That baba tried hooking up with my man last night!”
  1. Front

Meaning:

  • (Verb): To lie about who you are or what you’re doing.
  • Example: “I know you don’t actually have your own record label, don’t front.”
  1. Schmear

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A lot of cream cheese (usually) on top of a bagel.
  • Example: “I all my bagels with schmear.”
  1. Bev

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A drink; Abbreviated version of the word beverage.
  • Example: “Excuse me, where can I get a bev around here?”
  1. Gotham

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What New Yorkers call New York City as a joke.
  • Example: “I was hanging around Gotham all weekend.”
  1. Schtupp

Meaning:

  • (Verb): To have sexual relations with someone.
  • Example: “It’s been a while. I need to find someone to schtupp tonight.”
  1. Bet

Meaning:

  • (Expression): A form of acknowledgment. Another way to say “okay.”
  • Example: “You’re all going to be down by the beach after dinner? Bet.”
  1. Grill

Meaning:

  • (Verb): To stare at someone, usually angrily, for a long time.
  • Example: “What’s that person’s problem? They’ve been grilling me all night!”
  1. Spaz

Meaning:

  • (Verb): To burst out with anger and have a freakout.
  • Example: “I don’t want him coming to my party tonight. Last time he was a spaz and broke a window.”
  1. Bodega 

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What people call a small one-stop-shop where you can purchase everything you need. 
  • Example: “I’m not going to a bunch of different stores. I’m just going to go to one bodega and head home.”
  1. Grimey

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What you would call someone who you can’t trust.
  • Example: “Keep an eye on all your things. That guy over there’s a grimey.”
  1. Snuff

Meaning:

  • (Verb): To hit or punch someone or something
  • Example: “That guy was really getting on my nerves last night. I was about to snuff him!”
  1. Bop

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What you would call a song that you really enjoy.
  • Example: I love this song! It’s such a bop.”
  1. Guap

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Another word for used instead of cash or money. 
  • Example: “Look at all this guap I made last night!”
  1. Sus

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): An abbreviation of the word suspicious.
  • Example: “Every time I get close to his phone, he starts acting really sus.”
  1. Buggin

Meaning:

  • (Verb): Used to describe someone being overdramatic about something and freaking out. 
  • Example: “All I did was forget to turn the bathroom light off, and my mom started buggin’.”
  1. Hollywood

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): When someone’s always too busy to hang out with you. They act like they’re too good to talk to you.
  • Example: “She won’t even talk to me anymore! She’s acting way too Hollywood.”
  1. Taking it there/Take it there

Meaning:

  • (Expression): What is described as escalating something into a fight.
  • Example: “If you don’t stop talking behind my back, I’m going to take it there.”
  1. Cop

Meanings:

  • (Verb): Meaning to purchase or buy something.
  • Example: “I’m about to cop a new necklace from that fancy jewelry store.”
  • (Noun): A police officer.
  • Example: “Make sure you don’t break the law. There are cops everywhere right now.”
  1. Ice

Meaning:

  • (Noun) What you would call a shiny piece of jewelry.
  • Example: “Check out this new ice I got for my birthday.”
  1. The City

Meaning:

  • (Noun) Sometimes used to refer to New York City as a whole. More specifically, a reference to Manhattan. 
  • Example: “We’re going to be partying in The City tonight if you want to join us.”
  1. Crusty 

Meaning: 

  • (Adjective): How you would describe someone dirty and disgusting.
  • Example: “I would never hook up with him! He’s so crusty.”
  1. Kid

Meaning:

  • (Noun) What you would call your good friend or someone close to you.
  • Example: “What’s up, Kid? How’ve you been doing lately?”
  1. Thirsty 

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): How to describe someone who is being clingy or desperate in regards to love and romance.
  • Example: “He’s so thirsty trying to get with every girl, it’s pathetic!”
  1. Thirstbucket

Meaning:

  • (Noun) What you would call someone who is really desperate or thirsty. 
  • Example: “That girl won’t stop trying to get with every guy. She’s such a thirstbucket.”
  1. Dead-ass

Meaning: 

  • (Adjective): Described as being very serious and behaving in a serious manner.
  • Example: “That was not a joke at all. I was being dead-ass.”
  1. Kicks

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Another word for shoes. 
  • Example: “Check out these new kicks I got from the mail yesterday.”
  1. Trippin’

Meaning:

  • (Verb): How you would describe someone being outwardly over-dramatic about something and freaking out. 
  • Example: “I can’t believe her, man. She was trippin’ last night.”
  1. Dime Piece

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What you would call an attractive female.
  • Example: “Did you see that girl last night? She was a dime piece!”
  1. Lit 

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): How you would describe something that was amazing or fantastic.
  • Example: “I had so much fun last night. That party was lit!”
  1. Wavy 

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): Another way to say something is neat or cool.
  • Example: “That outfit is wavy! Where’d you get it?”
  1. Dumb

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): Used in the same ways as they words very; really; so. To emphasize something. 
  • Example: “That rapper at the concert last night was dumb talented!”
  1. Link

Meaning:

  • (Verb): Another word for meeting up with someone or a group of people. 
  • Example: “I’m going to link up with some friends tomorrow after school.”
  1. Whack 

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): How you would describe someone or something not good, weird, or undesirable.
  • Example: “Your attitude was whack last night. What’s wrong with you?”
  1. Mad

Meaning: 

  • (Adjective): Used like the words very; really; so. To put emphasis on another adjective. 
  • Example: “Those hamburgers last night were mad delicious! I could go for another one.”
  1. What’s good?

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Another way to ask someone how they are doing. 
  • Example: “Hey, I haven’t seen you for a while. What’s good?”
  1. Pie

Meaning:

  • (Noun): What New Yorkers call pizza.
  • Example: “Anyone wants to chip in on some pie tonight? I’m starving!”
  1. What it do?

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Another way to ask someone what they are doing/what they are up to. 
  • Example: “Hey there B, what it do?”
  1. Whip

Meaning: 

  • (Noun) What you would call a fancy, expensive vehicle.  
  • Example: “Look at that new whip! I wonder how he can afford it.”
  1. Wildin’

Meaning:

  • (Verb): How to describe somebody overreacting or freaking out about something.
  • Example: “Man, I saw you wildin’ over nothing last weekend.”
  1. Yooz

Meaning: 

  • (Pronoun): Another way of saying all of you. The word “you” plural. 
  • Example: “Yooz are all invited to my birthday party next week. It’s going to be mad fun!”
  1. Tight

Meaning:

  • (Adjective): How you would describe someone being angry or upset.
  • Example: “Sorry man, I’m staying home tonight. My girlfriend is super tight.”
  1. Shorty / Shawty 

Meaning:

  • (Noun) A nice way to refer to a woman you think is beautiful.
  • Example: “Hey, shorty/shawty, can I get your number?”

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