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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 · Traveling through New York? Learning the terms used by locals could be helpful. Take a look at this guide to New York slang words.
- Grill (v) – To stare at someone for a prolonged period of time in a stern way or to ask someone questions in an accusatory way. Ex: “Yo, her father would not stop grilling me when I showed up for our date.”
- Whack (adj.) – NYC slang for something that is appalling or just really bad. Ex: “Dude, that show last night was SO whack.”
- Lit (adj.) – One of many New York slang words for something that is amazing, turned up, poppin’, or just super cool. Ex: “Did you go to that party last night because that sh*t was lit.”
- Kid/Son (n.) – A word used to describe a close friend. Basically, an east coast version of the word homie. Ex: “Yo, what up son? I missed you bro.”
- OD / Oh-DEE. Pronounced “Oh-dee,” this is one of my favorite New York slang words. OD can be used in several different ways to describe something as over the top, whether it is good, bad, or just plain crazy!
- Dead-Ass. From an outside view, this New York slang word makes me laugh. It means, “no way” or “are you serious?!” You: Yo, I just won free tickets! New Yorker: Dead-ass, I’m hyped!
- Not For Nothing. This New York phrase is basically said when you’re annoyed about how someone did something when they could have done it differently (a way that you would have preferred since you’re from NY and everything you do is better than other people’s methods lol… jk).
- Mad. When you hear a New Yorker say “mad” in a sentence, it’s usually not because they are actually mad/angry. The New York slang word “Mad” in a sentence usually stands for “very” or “a lot (of)”…….
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
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Aug 15, 2022 · From Brooklyn to the Bronx, get familiar with New York slang words and understand local NYC lingo across the Big Apple. We gotchu, keep reading!
