New York slang: 175 fun, unique & mainstream NYC lingo terms

Author

Berlitz

There’s no place like New York City. Known as “the city that never sleeps,” it’s packed with people of countless cultures (both foreigners and locals), is lit up and bustling at all times of the day and night, offers some of the best cuisines in the world, and provides experiences and sites that are truly unforgettable.

When you’re exploring the Big Apple, it’s easy for all of your senses to be highly stimulated– and that includes your hearing.

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.

See what we mean? That’s why we’ve written this article – to help you get familiar with NYC slang and understand the local lingo. We gotchu – So keep reading!

There's no place like New York City so get familiar with NYC slang and understand the local lingo.

Why you need to know New York slang

At the time this blog was written (August, 2022), New York City’s population is a whopping 8.93 million. That’s a whole lot of people to put on just a little over 300 square miles!

Considering this and the diverse population of the city, it should come as no surprise that word travels fast– including slang terms. NYC slang is constantly evolving and changing, so when you do visit, you should do your homework ahead of time and be ready when you do chat with the locals, even if you are just ordering a pie or baconeggandcheese.

So why know New York City slang and colloquialisms anyway? Because you can:

  • Have a better understanding of the New York way of life
  • Feel and even appear less of a tourist, giving you a more authentic and local experience during your stay
  • Make lifelong friends in “the greatest city on Earth”
  • Dodge potential misunderstandings
  • Simply expand your English vocabulary and conversational abilities!

Click here if you’re looking for more general American slang expressions from all over the United States.

General NYC Slang

No matter which of the five boroughs you find yourself in, you are likely to hear any one of the below New York slang terms there. 

Two men dancing with graffiti in the background.

New York slangMeaning
The CityWhen a New Yorker says “The City,” they mean specifically the island of Manhattan
MadVery; really
PieOne whole pizza
Yerrr/YurrrAn exuberant “yes”
WackLousy
BetTo agree to something
Dead assTo be serious about something
DeadAlso to be serious about something or to find something extremely hilarious (i.e. “I am dead at that joke!”)
BopA great song
BrolicA very muscular person
CopTo buy or grab something
Yeah nahNo
Nah yeahYes
Good looksGood looking out; good catch
GucciNo problem; everything is good
SchlepTo carry or drag something a certain distance
Kid/SonA term to call a close friend
GrillTo angrily stare at someone for a long time
BaconeggandcheeseA popular breakfast sandwich beloved by locals, which has bacon, egg, and cheese on usually either a roll or bagel
BrickExtremely cold
Real talkTo not lie or exaggerate; to tell the truth about something
RatchetA negative term for a person who is disliked, dramatic.
Frontin’To lie, fake something, or pretend you are something you are not
CringeWhen someone does or says something that makes you feel uncomfortable or awkward (i.e. “His joke was so cringe.”)
WokeTo be fully alert of injustice in society
LitFeeling really drunk or that a situation or place is a lot of fun
ShookTo be emotionally shaken; extremely surprised or taken off guard
SchmearA large helping of a condiment, most often cream cheese on a bagel
PopoPolice
SusShort for “suspicious”
WhipA car, typically a really nice and expensive one
TightSomething is really cool or someone is really angry/aggravated
No capNot lying
Yas/YaaasA very excited “yes!”
BugginTo behave very dramatically
HeardTo have successfully heard something someone said or implied
Wildin’/Wylin’To act “wild;” to be unpredictable, absurd, or preposterous
CrustySomething or someone is dirty or undesirable
Book itTo sprint; to run as fast as possible
AggyShort for “aggravated,” so a person who is extremely aggravated/annoyed at someone else
BevA beverage or drink
LinkMeet up with someone
PeepTo notice something in your surroundings
BeefTo have unresolved issues with a person
Shorty/shawtyA positive term for a short, attractive woman
ThirstySomeone who is acting desperate in the dating scene
FinnaShortening for “fixing to” (i.e. Finna eat that pizza in a bit).
BodegaSmall neighborhood shop
OckThe man behind the counter of a bodega or deli
Trippin’Someone is acting ridiculous
CakeMoney or a compliment for a large and attractive butt
A minuteA very long time (i.e. “I haven’t seen you in a minute!”)
Get a sliceBuy a piece of pizza
Johnny pumpFire hydrant
StraphangerSubway rider
DowntownAnywhere south of Canal Street in Manhattan
SlapsHigh-quality
Take the LTake the loss; willingly sacrifice
SnackA person who looks attractive
PeriodtA variant of “period;” signals end of discussion
BombSomething is really great
Regular coffeeA hot coffee with milk and sugar
High keyVery obvious
Low keyNot obvious
BeastinDoing the absolute most in something, usually a physical activity
BAffectionate term for a loved one
ScrapTo fight
JackTo claim something to be yours
FlipTo cancel last minute
GrimyFilthy
GotchuI got your back; I will help you
On deckWhat’s next in a situation
No doubtAgreement to something
An LA hand-rolled marijuana cigarette
Word (up)No doubt or an expression of surprise
Cheddar/Cheese/Paper/GreenMoney
SchvitzSweat a lot
DridAnnoyed and irritated with a situation
SmackedFeeling very high from smoking “mary jane”
BirdA person who is loud and rambunctious
MackFlirt with someone
BagTo get a number from someone or secure a date with them
We outA way to say that you’re leaving

Bronx slang

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.

The Bronx, home of the Bronx Bombers (better known as The New York Yankees), is just one of five boroughs in NYC and is home to 1.37 million people. Aside from the above section’s terms, you can hear Bronxites using these phrases as well:

Fans of the Bronx’s baseball team, The Yankees, are called Creatures in NYC slang.

Bronx slangMeaning
Bronx cheerBlowing a raspberry to insult someone
OD/odeeShort for “overdose,” to “OD” or odee is to do the most in something (i.e. “I have OD work tonight.”)
DumbVery, really, or extremely
BreadAnything bread-like from the bakery or money
CreaturesFans of the Bronx’s baseball team, The Yankees
BroShort for “brother,” can be used for a relative or close friend
BruhAnother version of “bro”
Draggin’ itTo drag something out; to be overly dramatic
HollywoodSomeone who is very popular and busy
Word to my mom/dadTo swear that something is true
Word toTo swear that something is true to God/ higher power
Moving funnySomeone is behaving differently than normal, maybe hiding something
DayroomSomeone who has done something rude

Queens slang

To the south of the Bronx and east of Brooklyn lies Queens, the second most populous borough with 2.4 million people. Fun fact for you: Queens is the most diverse urban area in the world, as there is no ethnic group that is above 50% of its population!

Here are just some of the Queens slang terms you could hear from Queensites while wandering about the eclectic streets of this borough:

Queens slangMeaning
Shoot the fairTo invite only one other person to fistfight without the help of friends or weapons.
WavyReally cool
‘Na meanDo you know what I mean? Do you understand me?
Say lessExpression of excitement. You already are interested in something someone said, so you don’t really need more information.
GuapMoney
MaA casual way to greet and/or refer to a woman
Pop OffTo suddenly outburst in anger or emotionally
Flying ratA spiteful word for a pigeon
MoneyTo feel really good about something (i.e. “That movie last night was money!”)
The beachRockaway Beach
On lineInstead of “in line,” people from Queens typically say they are waiting “on line.”

Brooklyn slang

Brooklyn, known far and wide for its eccentric yet enthralling and welcoming culture, is New York’s most populous borough: 2.6 million! Here are a few key Brooklyn slang expressions to add to your repertoire.

Man walks over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn slangMeaning
718The area code for Brooklyn
A hunnitBeing “100%” truthful; telling the truth
BucktownBrooklyn
FeeningPutting too much effort into something
JattyA large and attractive butt
DubSomeone or something you don’t want to have to deal with
ThirstbucketA person really striving for a sexual encounter
SwerveAvoiding a person or situation; rejecting either
The BurgWilliamsburg; a trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn
You woulda thoughtSaying no to someone, usually when they try to do something (like eat your food) without asking

Manhattan slang

Manhattanites, too, have their very own commonly used Manhattan slang, especially the following:

Manhattan slangMeaning
B & T/ BNT“Bridge and Tunnel” - refers to people who commute to the island for work or entertainment
CopaShort for “Copacabana,” a popular nightclub in Manhattan
ManhattyA nickname for Manhattan
New York’s finestThe police force in NYC, aka NYPD (New York Police Department)
The ParkCentral Park
WillageWest Village combined into one word; a popular and luxurious neighborhood in Manhattan
VanhattanThe “Vanhattan” is a popular cocktail made with bourbon and other flavors
LESLower East Side
UWSUpper West Side
FiDiFinancial District
SoHoSouth of Houston Street; a popular area in Manhattan

Staten Island slang

And last, but certainly not least: Staten Island. Staten Island, which is often and unfortunately referred to as the “forgotten borough,” does use essentially all of the aforementioned slang terms but especially these:

The Staten Island Ferry will take you to Staten Island from NYC.

Staten Island slangMeaning
Are you gagootz?Are you crazy?
ShaolinA nickname for Staten Island, dubbed by the Wu Tang Clan
GavoneSomeone with no class or who eats way too much
Cooba-ghoulCapicola, an aged and dried Italian meat
FitCommitted to something
Stoonad/StunadA stupid person
Not for nothing…I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will anyway
She thinks who she isShe’s full of herself
That’s dopeThat’s really cool
MintHigh-quality
Good sh*tThat’s great
SickCool; amazing
FireIncredible
Take it thereTake a conversation or situation too far
ChillRelax; take a step back
BangingAwesome
KicksA pair of sneakers
YoozPlural form of “you”
You’re my boyYou’re my good friend (usually said to a male)
Throw handsGet in a fistfight
Come scoopCome pick me up in your car
You’re shotAn event is not happening and the person is absurd for asking

New York slang FAQs

1. What are some New York text slang abbreviations?

Text slang abbreviationMeaningDefinition
lmaoLaughing my ass offLaughing a lot
imoIn my opinionIn my opinion
goatGreatest of all timeSomeone is the greatest at something (i.e. “Serena Williams is the GOAT!”)
defDefinitelyDefinitely; for sure
wyaWhere you at?Where are you right now?
BKNYBrooklynBrooklyn
DUMBODown Under the Manhattan Bridge OverpassAn upscale neighborhood in Brooklyn
LIELong Island ExpresswayHighway to Long Island
GWBGeorge Washington BridgeBridge that connects Manhattan to New Jersey
NbdNo big dealIt’s no problem

2. What are some slang names for New York City by locals?

  • The Big Apple
  • Gotham City
  • The City that Never Sleeps
  • The Empire State
  • The Melting Pot
  • America’s City
  • Center of the Universe
  • The Five Boroughs

A word on “you good”

We all know the common greeting, “How are you?” Granted, you are likely to run into that in NYC, but there is one slang phrase that equates it and is used very often as well: “You good?”

While “you good” can mean “how are you?” (and often it does, especially when used in a question), it can also mean different things as well, like:

  • Are you okay?
  • Do you need help?
  • How have you been?
  • Is there a problem?
  • What’s up?
  • What’s up? (in a threatening, provoking way)
  • Don’t worry about it.
  • Stop.

Simply be careful with how you use it and the way you inflect your speech! But don’t worry, we believe in you– you good.

Welcome to New York City, real talk

New York City is easily one of the most vibrant and liveliest cities in the world, even in its unique use of the English language! So hit the streets, bruh, don’t forget to have a good time and bring our list of New York slang words with you, ‘na mean?

Remember to keep expanding your language knowledge on our English blog, right here. It’s fun and it’s free.

We out!