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- Yerrr. I’d be a menace if I didn’t start this list with a hearty welcome. Yerrr is the call heard through the concrete jungles of the boroughs. Need to get someone’s attention?
- “ A minute” 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.
- Dub. This is one of those words that’s been around for a minute. For as long as I can remember, I have been saying the word dub in all its definitions.
- Bet. Bet is another classic. In this context, it is less about a wager and more about a done deal. “Bet” is short for “you bet”, allegedly popularized between drug dealers in Brooklyn and the Bronx in the ’80s.
- Grill
- Brick
- Frontin’
- Kid/Son
- Ratchet
- Real Talk
- The City
- Mad
- Dead*Ss
- Schmear
This New York slang word means to stare at someone for a long period of time in an unrelenting way or to ask someone questionsin an accusatory way. “She kept grilling me while I was walking towards the train.”
When someone uses this word to describe the weather outside, it means the roads are icy and slushy and it is freezing in temperature. “Grab your coat! It’s brick outside.”
According to New Yorkers, when someone is pretending that they are better than they really are, they are frontin’. “Don’t be frontin’"
If a New Yorker calls you a “kid” or “son”, you should take it as a compliment. It means they see you as a close friend! “Hey kid, what you got going on tonight?” “Son, you gotta calm down.”
When New Yorkers call something or someone “ratchet” it’s not a good thing. This word usually refers to someone who doesn’t take care of themselves and has a filthy appearance. It could also be used to describe a place that is shabby and just looks really run down. “Don’t go there. I’ve heard the bathrooms are ratchet.” Related: Gen Z Slang
If you hear someone start a sentence with the words “real talk,” be prepared for a serious conversation. “It's time for real talk."
For local New Yorkers, the island of Manhattan is called “The City.” “You down to go to The City tonight?”
This New York slang word is different than your usual take on “mad.” In the hustling and bustling eastern city, this adjective is a New Yorker’s intensifying adverb of choice. “It’s mad delicious!”
When a New Yorker says they’re “dead*ss”, it means they’re completely and totally serious about something. “Dead*ss, I don't want to see him anymore.”
When you head to a deli, you may want to order a bagel with schmear. It’s a shorter way to say “a lot of cream cheese”! “I always start my mornings with an everything bagel and schmear. Don’t you?”
Jul 17, 2020 · In specific regions of the same country, unique terminology develops that only people native to that region use. New York is a great example of this, with slang words it can proudly call its own. We’ve created this master list of New York slang words.
Mar 17, 2024 · New York City slang is like a language of its own. You might already know some thanks to movies and pop culture, like the classic “how you doin’?” Read on to learn some of the most common New York City slang words and expressions, brought to you by an actual New Yorker! Contents. Common New York City Slang Words and Phrases
From Brooklyn Heights to the Upper West Side, New York is an iconic city with equally iconic New York slang terms. Learn to talk like a real New Yorker, will ya?
Aug 15, 2022 · From Brooklyn to the Bronx, get familiar with New York slang words and understand local NYC lingo across the Big Apple.
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Nov 1, 2023 · New York slang terms are often used to convey a specific meaning or emotion that may not be easily expressed in standard language. They can create a sense of community and shared understanding among New Yorkers.
