Conversing with local New Yorkers can sometimes feel like they’re speaking a whole other language while you’re speaking English. Needless to say, it can be mad annoying, no cap, bro. Slang.org is a community-driven dictionary and database of slang terms. While some sincerely embraced the label, others said it diminished ambitious women. And many more argued that would-be girl bosses seemed to use their power to uphold the same old patriarchal norms in the workplace.

While my mom says “brick” it most certainly was not popular in her generation. The New York slang word “Boss” is usually used among men. Instead of saying thanks, man, you might hear New Yorkers say, thanks, Boss, or you got it, Boss!

Back in my Queens middle school, this term meant LET’S GO FIGHT, JUST ME AND YOU. Allegedly, the roots of this word can be tracked to the late 1950s, when “shoot the fair one” meant to fight one on one without help from others or weapons. Like the popular lyrics go “CASH RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME.

The next handful of New York slang words you see is going a little more old-school. Bird is not one of the nicest New York slang words and is derogatory towards women. It is basically saying that girl “gets around” or a slut.

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As a result, New York City has developed its own unique language that’s been heavily influenced by the city’s linguistic and cultural diversity combined with hip hop culture. Beef is a pretty standard slang term across the United States, and its usage is alive and well in New York. Essentially, when there is unfinished business or an unresolved tension between two people, those people have beef. This word seems to be more common with young people. A person is MADE staticky by a situation that causes unnecessary friction or the desire to fight.

” or “look, Hollywood is coming.” It is not a term of endearment, but more of describing a person who thinks they are better than you or stuck up. The New York slang phrase “Good Looks” is a way of saying thank you or thanks for looking out for me. Out of all the things New Yorkers say, I hear this one the most with my family.

Lou from the deli hears this phrase come out of my mouth every morning. A regular coffee in New York is hot coffee straight from the pot with milk (yup, from the cow) and sugar. This is another personal favorite because of how long it’s remained in my life, probably because as an introvert, I tend to flip often. In NYC, to flip is to cancel at the last minute. Not necessarily to see, but to notice. For a New Yorker, it’s important to peep— you need to stay on alert on the trains and on the streets by peeping (noticing) your environment.

You can also use it as an expression when shocked by the grandeur of a situation. This word refers to a person… the beloved New York bodega/deli man. It is definitely more popular with the youth, especially in New York City Tik Tok. Look at this wholesome Tik Tok account of Ock appreciation. Every FluentU video comes with interactive subtitles.

Saying step to me in New York is fighting words. It’s basically like saying approach me, and we are fighting. This is very much younger-generation New York slang. This New Yorker slang phrase means to be out of control or crazy. This would be a phrase that is used to talk about someone else or a group of people.

• But in NY, to odee is to do the most in any context.
• If you are a webmaster of non-commercial website, please feel free to publish the image of OYK definitions on your website.
• This NY slang word makes me laugh sometimes.
• If you find yourself in the Financial District in downtown Manhattan, or you want to get a job that somehow relates to the industry, you’ll want to know these words and phrases.
• After making this list, I can’t help but laugh at myself and think how crazy some of this terminology sounds outside of New York!

Almost three decades ago, women wrestled with what at the time was a new embrace of “gal,” according to an article in The New York Times. What anyone really means when they post, whether they’re joking or serious, is often held coyly in suspension. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

Common New York City Slang Words and Phrases

Some would say you’re not a real local until you own a pair of Timbs. As time has moved on, the term has now evolved to become a derogatory slang word for someone who is very culturally ignorant and who has very ethnocentric ideas about the world as a whole. So yeah, maybe someone who idealizes reality TV stars or who only knows music from fan drawing the Top 40 on the radio. Lit (adj.) – One of many New York slang words for something that is amazing, turned up, poppin’, or just super cool. Because I’m about to share all my secret insider tips about all of the New York slang words that locals actually use. This way, you can look, feel, and sound a lot more like an authentic New Yorker.

• It is possible that the term is used in certain subcultures or regions within New York, but it is not a widely recognized term in the overall slang vocabulary of the city.
• A bop is simply a really good song.
• ” or “look, Hollywood is coming.” It is not a term of endearment, but more of describing a person who thinks they are better than you or stuck up.
• Gotham (n.) – This is a nickname for New York City.
• She pays the rent for her Brooklyn apartment every month and files her taxes every year.

“Gz” is a super-short way of congratulating someone. LYK is an acronym that stands for “let you know,” which is a variation of ILYK and LMK. It is typically used in text messages and online. The acronym is used to communicate to someone that you will tell them something at a future time.

What does TP stand for in medical terms?

Yo, real talk… the phrase “real talk” almost always comes as a precursor to some inevitable truth that’s about to be shared. New York City subway riders are no stranger to the word schlep. We often have to schlep our belongings and our whole bodies across the city.

This New York phrase is more of a Staten Island/ Brooklyn term IMO. One thing to keep in mind is that New York slang is different around the state. New York is the 27th largest state, so New York is much more than just the New York City boroughs (Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island). Forget About It (phrase) – Usually pronounced as one word (for-ged-a-bout-it) and means that you don’t need to worry about it. Can also be used to mean agreement or disbelief that something is THIS good.

What are some New York text slang abbreviations?

British derogatory, slang a person regarded as inferior because ignorant, ill-educated, or lower-class.

GET THE MONEY, DOLLA DOLLA BILLS Y’ALL.” You guessed it, guap and mula are just two more terms used interchangeably with money. Hip hop culture popularized the use of guap and mula as a synonym for https://1investing.in/ that cold hard cash. Given the hustle and bustle of living in NYC, New Yorkers tend to like the one-word answers. Quick and efficient communication. I like to think of “heard” as “bet” adjacent.

You likely have heard someone say “fire” in rap songs, but just in case you haven’t, this is what you need to know. What’s good is a common New York greeting phrase usually asking “how are you? ” But, it is also used as a quick introduction to the conversation. Word to my… (phrase) – to make sure that people know that you are swearing to the truth. Your Mom’s Dead Outside (phrase) – a way to tell someone that their mom is mad and/or waiting outside for them. Dayroom (n.) – a person who is an acquaintance or a friend who isn’t a close friend.

When movies are shot in NYC, where do they go? Shout out to that one rom-com starring Rebel Wilson whose opening shot is in my hometown of Corona, Queens. If you’ve never heard this phrase before, you’ll be surprised to know that it does not actually mean a minute at all. “a minute” means a very long time. If a New Yorker says they haven’t seen you in a minute, then you’re looking at at least one year.

If a New Yorker is saying “fire,” it doesn’t actually mean there is a physical fire! The New York slang word “fire” is usually used as a response to something being really good, or describing a woman being beautiful. In New York, it’s usually not because they are trying to make an actual bet with you. Instead, the New York slang word “bet” is usually used by itself and means ok, good, let’s do it, or no doubt. This phrase is also more said among the younger generation and is one of the most common things New Yorkers say in the winter!

This word is one of the words I started using ironically and then cemented itself in my actual vocabulary. In NYC, when something is on fire, amazing, or fun, a millennial New Yorker will say “it’s lit.” It can also sometimes used to refer to a person who has consumed too many drinks. From the Bronx Zoo to the rich culture, the Bronx has plenty of offer for visitors and residents.

Who knows, people might even mistake you for a super savvy local if you really nail some of the terminology outlined below. Remember to keep expanding your language knowledge on our English blog, right here. While the above section is a more generalized collection of New York lingo, each borough tends to use certain phrases more or less often than others do. When you’re exploring the Big Apple, it’s easy for all of your senses to be highly stimulated– and that includes your hearing.