40 New York Slang Terms
New York City. The city that never sleeps – famous for its skyscrapers, diverse neighborhoods, and, of course, its colorful language that includes some iconic slang terms now used the world over.
New-Yorker slang is fast, sharp, and straight to the point. But how do you know your brick from your bodega?
SlangHub is here to help. Here, we’ve compiled the must-know New York slang words that will help you keep up with the locals.
SlangHub’s Top 10 New York Slang Terms
These are the SlangHub team’s 10 favorite New York slang terms that every wannabe New Yorker needs to know.
- Bodega – A small corner store, typically selling snacks, groceries, and essentials.
Example: “I’m heading to the bodega to grab a sandwich.” - Brick – Very cold weather.
Example: “It’s brick outside today, wear your jacket!” - Deadass – Seriously or for real.
Example: “I’m deadass not kidding about what happened.” - Mad – Used to emphasize something, meaning “a lot” or “very.”
Example: “That pizza place is mad good!” - Son – A term of endearment or a way to address someone, similar to “dude” or “bro.”
Example: “What’s up, son? You coming out tonight?” - OD (Overdoing) – Doing something to an extreme, either good or bad.
Example: “You’re OD with all that homework, take a break!” - Lit – When something is exciting or fun.
Example: “The party last night was lit!” - Word – An expression of agreement or acknowledgement.
Example: “I’m meeting you at 6? Word.” - Grill – To stare at someone in an unfriendly way.
Example: “Why are you grilling me like that?” - Facts – Used to confirm something is true.
Example: “That movie was awesome. Facts!”
30 Popular New York Slang Terms
Ten just isn’t enough when it comes to New York slang. So, here are 30 more classic slang words or phrases to add to your lingo:
- Dumb – Used to mean “very” or “really” when describing something.
Example: “That movie was dumb funny!” - Fiend – Someone who’s overly eager for something, usually used in a playful way.
Example: “He’s such a fiend for pizza.” - Thirsty – Desperate for attention or affection.
Example: “She’s posting mad selfies, she’s thirsty.” - The City – A nickname for Manhattan, used by New Yorkers from other boroughs.
Example: “I’m going into the City later to meet some friends.” - Dap – A friendly fist bump or handshake.
Example: “Give me some dap, bro!” - Schlep – To carry or haul something, often with difficulty.
Example: “I had to schlep my groceries up five flights of stairs.” - Trippin’ – Acting irrational or out of line.
Example: “You’re trippin’ if you think I’m going out in this weather.” - Buggin’ – Acting crazy or losing control.
Example: “He was buggin’ out when he saw the bill.” - Wavy – When something is cool or trendy.
Example: “That new jacket is wavy.” - Catch these hands – A playful or serious way to suggest a fight.
Example: “Keep talking and you’ll catch these hands.” - Gully – Tough or aggressive, often in a street-smart way.
Example: “Don’t mess with him, he’s mad gully.” - Knock – To criticize or put someone down.
Example: “Don’t knock it until you try it.” - Regular – Used to describe something basic or normal, often in food orders.
Example: “Just give me a regular coffee, no extras.” - Get tight – To become angry or annoyed.
Example: “He got tight when they canceled his order.” - Wavey – Similar to “wavy,” meaning cool or impressive.
Example: “That new song is wavey.” - Mook – A fool or a simpleton.
Example: “Don’t be a mook, pay attention!” - Frontin’ – Pretending to be something you’re not.
Example: “He’s frontin’ like he’s got money.” - Cop – To get or purchase something.
Example: “I’m about to cop those new sneakers.” - Ice – Refers to diamonds or jewelry.
Example: “He’s got mad ice on his wrist.” - Tight – To describe something close or really good.
Example: “That’s a tight fit on the subway!” - Breezy – A girlfriend or a girl someone’s seeing.
Example: “He’s bringing his breezy to the party tonight.” - Burner – A cheap or disposable phone, often used for temporary purposes.
Example: “He’s got a burner for emergencies.” - Lace up – To get ready, especially for a challenge or confrontation.
Example: “Lace up, we’re playing ball today.” - Snuff – To punch someone in the face.
Example: “He snuffed that guy for talking smack.” - Brick City – Refers to Newark, New Jersey, but sometimes used to describe cold areas.
Example: “It’s like Brick City out here today.” - On blast – To publicly embarrass someone.
Example: “She put him on blast for missing her birthday.” - Wildin’ – Acting out of control or crazy.
Example: “They were wildin’ at the club last night.” - Posted up – Hanging out or staying in one spot.
Example: “We’re posted up by the park.” - Shorty – A girl or someone’s romantic interest.
Example: “I’m taking shorty to dinner tonight.” - Drop dime – To snitch or give information about someone.
Example: “He dropped dime on his crew to the cops.”
- Dumb – Used to mean “very” or “really” when describing something.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll be obsessed with some of these phrases. But if you’re looking for more US slang inspiration, check out our other guides:
