All Things Ghetto

A

A’ight, (ah-ITE) adj.,  OK, good, fine.  From “all right.”  “I’ll be down in a minute, a’ight.”  [Etym., African American]

Agarro, se la agarro (say la ah-GAR-o) v., to hit, punch, fight someone.  “She was mad y se la agarro.”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]

Ancient, (AYN-shent)  adj.,  Old, out of style.  “Your fit is ancient.”  [Etym., hip hop]

Annoyo (ah-NOI-oh) adj., endearingly annoying.  “Stop bothering me. .  . annoyo!”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

-ass,  (ass) suffix/ adj.,  Adds emphasis to an adjective  “Those are some good-ass cookies.”        “That is a bad-ass haircut.”

B

Babylonian, (bab-i-LOW-nee-an) n., A white or Caucasian person.  “I don’t like to eat when the cook is Babylonian.”  [Etym., Rastafarian, from Old Testament biblical, the Babylonians were the people who enslaved the Israelites]

Baked,  (baykt) adj.  Under the influence of marijuana  “I could tell he was half-baked but the rest of them were hella baked.”  [Etym., drug sub culture]

Baller,  (BALL-er)  n., A highly praised and respected individual, someone who has a lot of money; someone who plays basketball well  “The class of ‘03 is full of ballers.”  [Etym., African American]

Bamma, (BAM-uh)  n., a person that is weak, dresses out of fashion and or is pretentious   “Hey, look at those Maryland bamma's?”  [Etym., spoken in and around Washington, D.C. area; possible originating from Ala-bama]   

Bammer, (BAM-ur)  n., marijuana that is weak, of low potency.  “Hey, is all you have is bammer?”  [Etym., drug sub culture]  See:  Shake

Bank  (bank) n., Money.   “She had hella bank in her wallet.”  Also:  Bank roll, a lot of money.  Also:  Bank, v., to punch.  “He was getting’ banked on.”  [Etym., African American]

Baseball (BASE-bal) n., v., adj.,  An answer to any question, having no relation to the question.  “What is 2 x 2?”  “Baseball.”  [Etym., 90’s Berkeley]

Biotch (BEE-ach) n., derogatory word for woman or person, from “bitch,” female dog. “02, like what, biotch.”   [Etym., Hip hop]  Usage note:  While biotch is widely used by males and females, this term, along with “bitch,” is a reflection of negative cultural values, contempt for women, and in some cases violence against women.  It is found in much popular music.

Blessed sacrament (BLES-id SAK-ri-ment) n.,  marijuana, bot., cannabis sativa.  “It’s time to take out the blessed sacrament.”  [Etym., Rastafarian.]

Bling bling, (bling bling) interj.,  Shiny, sparkling with jewels or gold, good.  “That ring is looking fly, bling bling.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Blood, (blud) n., Friend, person of the same race, family member.  “Yo, blood, I’ll see you tomorrow.” [Etym., from blood brother, 60’s Black Nationalist.]

Blown up (blone up)  v., To get paged excessively  “Ten people have paged her in five minutes; she is getting blown up.”  Also:  (when pager is going off), “Hey, you’re blowin’ up!” [Etym., African American]

Blunt, (blunt) n., A large marijuana cigarette, or cigar.  “He rolled a big blunt.”  [Etym., Phillie Blunts are a type of cigar which are often purchased, the tobacco removed, and large quantities of marijuana are inserted.]

Bogard, (BOW-gard) v., To hoard, hog, or monopolize, especially a marijuana cigarette.  “Don’t bogart that joint, my friend.”  [Etym., Humphrey Bogart was a movie character who constantly had a cigarette in his mouth.]

Bomb (bahm) n., Marijuana, bot. cannabis sativa.  “Hey, man, let’s smoke some bomb.” [Etym., drug sub-culture] Also: something good, excellent, superlative.  “That’s the bomb.”  Also:  v., To erect a graffiti display, to paint a wall.  “We bombed that train station!”  See:  Bomb the Suburbs. 

Boo/boo boo,  (boo) n., Pet name for your significant other.  “Come on over and sit with me, boo.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Bootsy, (BOOT-see) adj.,  Bad, negative, hateful.  “Man, I can’t believe you did that to me, that’s hella bootsy.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Booty, (BOOT-ee) adj.,  Bad, especially ugly or badly dressed.  “He looks booty.”  Also, the human buttocks, as in “booty call.”  Also:  booty huggers: overly tight fitting pants  “That girl was wearing such tight booty huggers that she couldn't even bend down.”  [Etym., African American]

Bounce, (bauns) v., To leave an area, vacate, go away, spring back.  “Hey, patna, let’s bounce from the spot.”  [Etym., African American]

Break (brak) verb refl.,  to give up, surrender, as in cash or jewelry.  “Break yourself for those stones.”  [Etym., hip hop]

Breezy, (BREE-zi) n., Young woman.  “What’s up with you and that breezy.”  [Etym., African American]

Bro’, (broe) n.,  Brother, friend.  “I’ll catch you later, bro’.  Also:  brougham, (BRO-ham), brother, high class person, named after model of Cadillac.  [Etym., African American]

Bubblatin’ (BUB-el-ay-ten) present participle,  Relaxing, hanging out, chilling with friends.  “We weren’t causing any problem.  We were just bubblatin’.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Bud, (bud) n., The best part of the marijuana plant, where most of the oils and drug are concentrated.  A word for marijuana, bot., cannabis sativa.  “Hey, you have some great bud there.”  [Etym., drug sub-culture]

Buggin’ (buggin) v., Worrying.  “Why are you buggin’?  You know she likes you.”  [Etym., African American]

Bum out, (bum aut) n., Someone who is depressed, a loser, washed up, a stoner.  “That guy is such a bum out.”  [Etym., punk rock]

Bummer (bummer) n., A disappointment; unfortunate thing.  “I'm sorry to hear about your new car, that's a real bummer.”  [Etym., hippy culture, 1960’s]

Bum-rush (bum rush) v., To invade, slam, sometimes unexpectedly  “We bum-rushed him from the side.”  [Etym., African American]

Buster, (BUS-ter)  n., Someone who is foolish or disliked.  “The president is a buster.”  [Etym., punk rock]

C

Chalk (chalk) verb, (past participle: chalked) steal.  “Someone chalked my boom box.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Check, (chek) v., To pay attention to, to be aware of.  Especially used as reflexive verb, as in, “Watch it, bro’, you’d better check yourself.”  [Etym., African American]

Cheese (cheez) verb, (pres.  participle: cheesin’) smile.  “Emilia must have finally hooked up, look how she’s cheesin’”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Chill, (chil) v., to relax, hang out, spend time casually.  “I’m just going to chill at home.” Pres. participle:  chillin’.  [Etym., African American]

Cholo (Chola), (cho-lo) n., A Chicano, born in the U.S.  “That cholo has a fine fit, eh?”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]

Chop it up, (chop it up) v. clause, talking, talking with friends with great interest, enthusiasm.  “Girl, last night we were choppin’ it up.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Chorba (CHOR-bah) n., Girlfriend, somebody’s woman friend, one’s woman.  “Don’t mess with my chorba.”  [Etym., mountains of N. Spain] 

Chronic, (KRAN-ik) n., marijuana, bot. cannabis sativa.  “He’s messed up because he can’t lay off the chronic.”  [Etym., Rastafarian]

Chunk (chunk) v., to fight “If they don’t stop bothering us, we’re going to chunk ‘em”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Clean (cleen) adj.,  Looking good in a neat way.  “That outfit was clean.”  [Etym., African American]

Cliqua, (KLEE-ka) n.,  Also, Clika.  A group of friends.  “We’re going to let her hang out with our cliqua this weekend.”  [Etym., Spanglish, mixture of Spanish and English, Chicano.]

Clique, (clik) n.,  Also:  Click.  A group of friends.  “We’re going to let her hang out with our click this weekend.”  [Etym., 60’s youth culture]

Clown, (klown)  v., n., Make fun of another, act crazy; a fool.  “It was cold of you to clown on Jesse.”  [Etym., African American]

Coin, (koyn) n., money, a metal used for money.  “Hey, man, you got some coin on those fries?”  [Etym., African American]

Cold, (cold)  adj.,  Mean, evil, cold-hearted, not nice.  “It was real cold of Bo to make fun of his friend.”  [Etym., African American]

Conniption (con-NIP-shun) n., A fit of violent emotion, such as anger or panic.  Also:  conniption fit.  “Hey, mom, don’t have a conniption fit.”  [Etym., 50’s, middle America]

Crew, (cru) n.,  A group of friends.  “We’re going to let her hang out with our crew this weekend.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Crib, (krib) n., home, house, apartment, bedroom.  “I’ve been lyin’ up at the crib all day.”  [Etym., 40’s, Jazz, African American]

Crucial (KRU-shell)  adj.,  Excellent, the best, fantastic.  “That film was crucial.”  [Etym., Chicago youth culture, 90’s]

Crusty, (KRUS-tee) adj., messed up, dirty, old.  “I couldn’t stand sitting next to that crusty man in the theater.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Cuts (kutz) n.,  Far away, located far from the rest of the city.  “We had to drive to the cuts to pick up my friend.”  [Etym., African American]

Cuzin (CU-zin) n.,  also:  cuz.  A friend or associate.  “What’s up, cuzin?”  [Etym., African American]

D

Dank,  (dank) n., marijuana, bot. cannabis sativa.  “Let’s smoke some dank.”  [Etym., drug sub-culture]

Dawg  (dawg) n.,  Friend, partner.  A grown man;  one with experience.  “Hey, I’ll catch you later, dawg.” [Etym., hip hop]

Dead Presidents, (ded PRES-i-dents) n., money, cash.  “Friday’s pay day.  I’ll finally have my dead presidents.”  [Etym.:  The pictures on U.S. currency are of former presidents, African American]

Deez-nuts,  (deez nutz) n., Literally, these testicles.  Used to refer to oneself.  “I’m not going to let anyone mess with deez-nuts.”  Also:  a negative response to a question.  “Hey, pass that joint.”  “Deez-nuts.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Dick head (dik hed) n., A stupid person, idiot.  “Man, he is such a dick head.”  [Etym., 70’s youth culture]

Dill Piece, (dil pees)  n., Male genitals.  “He can’t think of anything but his dill piece.” [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Dirty, (DER-tee)  adj.,  Badly dressed, wearing old clothes.  “She looks dirty, look at her pants.”  Also refers to someone who is sexually promiscuous.   [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Dojah, (DOE-jah) n., marijuana, bot. cannabis sativa.  “All he ever thinks about is the old dojah.”  [Etym., drug sub-culture]

Donut, (DOE-nut)  n., A circular mark left by tires of a car that has spun in a short circle.  “He was doin’ donuts at the intersection.”   [Etym., 90’s youth]

Down-low (down lo) adj.,  also:  d.l., secret, private, not made public.  “Let’s just keep it on the down-low.”  Or:  “Let’s just keep it on the d.l.” [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Drama, (DRA-mah) n., Major preoccupation, concern, obsession.  “There is all kinds of drama with him about his parents.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Dubs, (dubz) n., twenty, pertaining to twenty dollars.  “My car rides on dubs.” [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Dude (dood) n.,  A man, friend.  Someone fastidious in dress and manner.  “Hey, dude, let’s get going.”  v., To dress up.  “I am going to get duded up.”  [Etym., 70’s youth]

E

Endoe, (EN-doe) n., marijuana, bot. cannabis sativa.  “I’m trying to find some endoe.”  [Etym., Rastafarian]

Ese, (ES-ay), pron., Literally, “that,” but used as:  You, brother, friend, comrade.   “Wazzup, ese?”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]

Extended food privileges, (ex-TEN-did fud PRI-vi-le-jus) n., Getting on the good side of a friend and being rewarded with food.  “I got extended food privileges at Tom’s house.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

F

Fade (fad) v.,  to pay for part of something in order to get a part of it. “That looks like a good pie, can I fade on that?”  Also:  to slip away, disappear.  “When the cops roll up, you have to fade.”  Also used to mean drunk, “He was hella faded last night.”  When used as noun, a haircut, especially in African American males, in which the hair is beveled in to the skin.  “Hey, man, did you see my fade?”  [Etym., African American]

Fat (fat)  adj.,  Large, good, excellent.  “I had a fat load of homework last night.”  “That was such a fat song, man!” Also, adv., fatly.  See: Phat. [Etym., African American]

Feel  me (feel me) v.,  To be in agreement with.  “I think the teacher is being hypocritical, do you feel me?” [Etym., African American]

Firme, (FEER-may)  adj.,  Strong, solid, loyal.  “You’re my firme bro, bro.”  [Etym., from Spanish, Chicano]

Fit, (fit) adj.,  Also:  fitted.  Fashionably dressed, well dressed, wearing current styles.  (“He is really fitted.”)  [Etym., African American]

Five-0, (five oh) n., the police.  “Watch it, man, five-0 on that side street.”  [Etym., police code for police officers.]

Flossy (FLOSS-ee)  adj.,  Cool, clean, excellent.  “That’s a flossy ass car.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Fly, (flie) adj.,  Beautiful, clean, honorable.  “That guy is so fly.”  [Etym., 19^th C. England, stylish coach]

Fo’ Sheazy (fo SHEE-zee) adj.,  (Also:  Fo’ shizzel)  for sure, emphatic positive expression, certainly, positive acknowledgement.   “Do you want to go with her?”  “Fo’ sheazy I do, bro’.”  Also used in:  Off the heazy, fo’ sheazy. (“Off the hook, for sure.”)  Also used in:  “Fo’ Shizzel, my nizzel.” Meaning “For sure, my friend.”   [Etym., African American]

Fo’ sho’, (foe show) adv.,  For sure, certainly, absolutely.  “Do I want to go to the movies?  Fo’ sho’!”  [Etym., African American]

Folks  (fokes) n., Family members; close friends or associates.  “We were folks a long time ago until she went bad.”  [Etym., African American]

Foolio, (FU-lee-o) n., a fool, a jerk, a stupid person.  “What are you trying to do, folio?”  [Etym., 90’s youth, mixture of fool and Coolio]

Forty (FOR-tee)  n., A forty ounce bottle of malt liquor that has a higher alcohol concentration than beer.  “After drinking a whole forty, the girl fell out.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Four-one-one, 411,  n., Necessary information  “Give me the 411 on that boy.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Fowl (fowl) adj., Unacceptable, unfair.  “Yo, man, that kind of move is fowl.”  [Etym., 70’s youth]

Freak (FREEK) n.,  A person who acts wild or weird; sexual activity.  “He was a big freak.”  “It’s time to get my freak on.”  [Etym., African American]

Freaky deaky (FREE-kee DEE-kee) adj.,  Acting crazy or weird in a sensual way.  “He was being freaky deaky.”  See:  Freak.  [Etym., 80’s funk]

Fresh, (fresh) adj.,  Great, neat, cool.  “That’s fresh.”  [Etym., originated by Fantastic Grand Wizard Theodore and the 5 MC’s, 1978]

Front  (front) v.,  Acting fake, putting on a cover.  “Don’t front like you’re prep when you’re really gangster.” [Etym., African American]

G

G (gee) n., Friend, comrade, member of the same gang.  “Come on, G, let’s get out of here.”  see, O.G.  [Etym., African American]

Gaffle (GAF-ful) verb, (past participle: gaffled) steal.  “He gaffled some skrill from his mom.”  [Etym., African American]

Game (gaem) n., Words used to attract the opposite sex through conversation, seductive speaking skill.  “You ain’t got no game.”  “I was spittin’ my game when my moms called on my cell phone.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Ganja (GAN-ja) n.,  marijuana, bot., cannabis sativa.  “Stop dwellin’ on that ganja.”  [Etym., Rastafarian.]

Gank (gank) verb, (past participle: ganked) steal.  “He ganked the test answers from the teacher’s desk.”  [Etym., African American]

Ghetto, (GET-o) adj.,  Broken down, cheap, worn out.  “Your shoes are so ghetto.”  [Etym., from ghetto meaning African American community, considered to have less wealth; from ghetto meaning restricted Jewish districts of European cities, from Italian for the waterworks district of Venice which was a Jewish community in the middle ages.]  Usage note:  While ghetto is used widely by African American and other young people, it has a negative connotation as part of a culture of disrespect and contempt for African American working class people.

Ghetto-fabulous,  (GET-o FAB-u-lus) adj.,  Extremely good, excellent, outstanding.  “That new outfit your mom got you is ghetto-fabulous.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Good ol’  (gud ol) adj.,  Sarcastic description of anything, saying it is positive but really meaning negative.  “It’s time for good ol’ math.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Gooey balls, (GU-ee balz) n., A confection, such as Rice Krispie treats, made with marijuana or hashish.  “The gooey balls at Reggae on the River were only a dollar.” [Etym., drug sub-culture]

Goth, (goth) n., a person who dresses in black, sometimes with black makeup, and shows interest in things medieval, sometimes morbid.  “It seems like all the Goths are growing older and leaving the scene.”  [Etym., 90’s youth, from Gothic]  see Kinder Bat.

Grill (gril) n.,  Front teeth; the full mouthful of teeth.   Often used when one puts a  gold apparatus on the teeth..  “Man, check out how his grill is bling blingin’.”  [Etym., African American]

Grub, (grub)  v.,  To eat;  Also:  n., food.  “Yo, everyone into the dining room, time to grub!”  “I’m hungry, let’s go get some grub.”  [Etym., African American]

Grungy, (GRUN-jee)  adj.,  Filthy, grimy, soiled, unkempt.   “The park is so grungy.”  [Etym., description of dress of musicians in Seattle area in 80’s punk garage bands.]

Guey, (way)   n.,  Bastard, fool. Demeaning but used often with affection.  “OK, guey, I’ll see you later.”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]

H

Hater, (HAY-tur) adj., A racist or someone who is against a class or group of people, someone guilty of stereotyping.  “I can’t stand all those playa haters.”  Also:  hatin’ (v., hating).  [Etym., African American]

Hatnin’, (HAT-nin) v., present participle.  Happening, going on.  “Hey, blood, what’s hatnin’.”  [Etym., African American]

Heat, (heet) n., The police.  Also:  a weapon.  “When the heat rolls up, you have to fade.”  “He’s bringing the heat.”  [Etym., African American]

Heazy (HEE-zee) n.,  hook, in phrase, “off the heazy.”  It means something that is “off the hook,” is very good.  See:  Fo’ sheazy.  [Etym., African American]

Hecka (HEK-ah) adv.,  Very, extremely. Grammar school variation of “hella.”   “That’s a hecka fresh ride!”  Also:  hecksa.  (Variation:  Heck-city.  “That’s heck-city good!”)  [Etym., Berkeley]

Hella (HEL-ah) adv.,  Very, extremely, in large quantity.  “There’s hella candy in the cabinet.”  “That girl is hella fine.”  “That jacket is hella clean.” (Also:   helluv)  [Etym., combination of “hell” and “of,”  Berkeley]

Hit, (hit) v., To have sexual relations.  “Hey, let’s hit it.”  Also, how much something costs.  “Those shoes hit me about 180 bucks”  Also:  Hit that shit, to do something no one else will do, e.g., pull your pants down in a basketball game.  “Hit that shit, blood!”  [Etym., African American]

Homie (HO-mee) n.,  friend, pal, someone from the same home or neighborhood.  “How ya doin’, homie?”  (variation:  Homes, home slice, home skillet.)  [Etym., African American]

Hoochie, (HOO-chee) n., (adj., hoochie, hoochified). A young woman who dresses in tight clothing and wears large amounts of make-up. “She’s trying to really look like a hoochie.” As an adjective, can mean slutty, tacky.  “That shirt is so hoochie.”  [Etym., First used in “Hoochie mama” from 2 Live Crew, hip hop]  Usage note:  Many people feel that hoochie has transcended its negative connotation and that it is also racist to identify all women who dress a certain way as a hoochie in the negative sense as this applies to many Chicano/Latino and African American female styles.  They also argue that hoochie can be a state of mind, a personal statement of working class identity, or a choice of friends. 

Hood rat,  (hood rat) n., Literally a person who sits on the hood of the car.  A young woman who dresses in teased and  hair-sprayed hair, black leather, tight clothes.  See hoochie.  [Etym., Hip hop]

Hooptie, (HOOP-tee)  n., Old, wrecked automobile.  “Let’s go for a ride in my hooptie.”  [Etym., 70’s youth]

Hooride (HU-ried) v., (also:  hoorider, hoorode, hoorided), to put down, destroy, ridicule.  “Let’s go hooride the party.”  “You’ve been hoorode.”  [Etym., African American]

Hot, (hot) adj., Stolen, as in merchandise.  “That CD player is hot, bro’.”  [Etym., American, 1950’s]

Hottie, (HOT-ee) n., A young woman or man who is very attractive.  “That one is a hottie.”  [Etym., hip hop]

I

I'm cool,  (im kool)  Phrase meaning “don't count me in.”  “She said she wanted to give him my number, and I said, I’m cool.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

I'm down, (im down) Phrase meaning “count me in.”   “If everyone wants to go there, I'm down.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

J

Jabronie, (ja-BROE-nee)  n., A stupid, weak person.  “Get up, ya big jabronie.”  [Etym., wrestling.]

Jack, (jak) v., To steal  “She jacked a candy bar from the grocery store.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Jake,  adj., Everything is going well.  “I got the money and the car, everything’s jake.”  [Etym., African American, 1940’s]

Jank (jank) verb, (past participle: janked) steal.  “I janked this gum from Walgreen’s.”  [Etym., African American]

Jankity (JAN-ki-tee) adj., (also: janky, janked, jankity-ass, jankity-assed) in bad shape, broken, old, in disrepair, messed up.  “Her old backpack was hecka jankity.”  “I’ve got a jankity TI-82.”  [Etym., African American]

Jargon, (JAR-gon)  n., confusion.  “Don’t look at me, that’s jargon.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Jason, (JAY-son) interjection. Also:  J, Jas.  Exclamation used to express wonder, amazement, respect. “What a jump shot!  Jason!”  [Etym., 90’s Berkeley]

Jimmy, (JI-mee) n., A condom.  “You’d better make sure you have a jimmy.”  [Etym., Hip Hop]

Jobber (JAH-bur) n.,  Someone who’s only reason for being someplace, especially in the ring, is to draw attention to the fan favorite.   “Al Snow is such a jobber.”  [Etym., Wrestling.]

Jock, (jahk)  v., To like, care for, have a crush on, flirt with.  “She really jocks you.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Joint, (joynt) n., A marijuana cigarette.  “He rolled a joint.”   [Etym., 30’s drug sub-culture]

Jones, (jonz) n., The craving for drugs, especially heroin.  Also used for craving for other things.  v., to crave drugs. “I’ve got a jones for chocolate tonight.”  “He’s really jonsin’”[Etym., drug subculture, 1960’s]

Juice, (joos) n., Alcohol.  “Let's get some juice and have a party.”  Also: juicer, n., an alcoholic.  Also:  juiced, v., past part., excited, anticipatory, “I’m so juiced for the game that I can hardly concentrate on homework.”  [Etym., African American, 1950’s]

Juvie, (JEW-vee)  n., Juvenile hall.  “After the fight, two of them got taken out to juvie.”   [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

K

Key, (kee) adj., or n., the best, good.  “I gotta say, Sublime is key.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Keyed, (keed) v., past participle, Drunk or high.  “At the rave, we were all keyed.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Kicks, (kiks) n., Shoes.  “I was feeling mighty light in my new kicks.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Kinder Bat,  (KIN-dur bat) n., A person new to the Goth scene, a partial Goth.  “I’m seeing a lot of new Kinder Bats at the Rocky Horror Picture Show.”  [Etym., 90’s youth, from German kinder, child; child-bat]  see Goth

Knockin’, (NOK-in) v. pres. participle., sweet, fine, beautiful, awesome.  “Man, that old Mustang is really knockin’”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Kvetch, (kvetch) v., To complain, especially in an annoying or nagging way.  “Why do you kvetch and kvetch?” Also, noun, A complainer, whiner.  “She is such a kvetch.”  [Etym., Yiddish]

L

L’s,  (ells) n., license to drive a car.  “Yo, I finally got my L’s.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Like (like) prep., similar to, approximately.   “We lived like kings.”  Also used as a marker, space-maker in sentences - the way um and ah are used, as well as the Spanish “digo.”  “I’m like telling my mom that like I have to go the mall and like she’s like tweakin’”  [Etym., in this usage, first used by jazz musicians in 30’s and 40’s, beatniks in the 50’s, youth in 60’s to now; also prominent in “valley talk.”]

Louie,  (LOO-ee) n., Left.  As in, “The club’s over that way!  Hang a louie.”  [Etym., beatnik slang, 1950’s]

M

Mac, (mak) n.,  (also spelled, mack), A male that is able to get with many women.  “That guy in those fancy glasses is a mac.”  As a verb, to be outgoing about liking someone, to flirt with skill.  “He was macking her during the whole evening and never left her side.” Also: mac-daddy, n., a popular male.  [Etym., French, macineau, pimp]

Mainy, (MAY-nee) adj.,  Crazy or willing to do something no one else around will do.  “You mainy, blood, and I don’t want to get caught up in that.”  [Etym., African American]

Moded, (MO-ded) verb, past participle used as adj., being taken advantage of, being disrespected.  “That was cold, brother, you got moded.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Mon (mon) n.,  Man, friend, comrade.  “How ya doin’, mon?”   [Etym., Rastafarian.]

Money, (MUH-nee) n.,  Friend, good person.  “Hey, I’ll catch you later, money.”  Also, anything good.  “That was a great movie, it was money!”  [Etym., African American]

Mota, (MOW-tah) n., marijuana, bot. cannabis sativa.  “Hey, pass that mota.”  [Etym., Spanish, drug sub-culture]

N

Nah, Also, naw (nah, naw), interj.  No.  A way of showing disagreement.  “Nah, I don't want to.”  “Hell, naw.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Nasty,  Also narsty, (NAS-tee, NARS-tee) adj.,  Not tasteful, disgusting, sexually perverse.  “I heard that girl got nasty after the prom.” When used as a noun, sexual relations.  “They were doin’ the nasty.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Nizzel (NI-zul) n.,  Friend, brother, family.  “You’re my main nizzel.”  [Etym., African American]

No Ma Mes, (No MAH mace) phrase, interjection., literally, don’t suck on me (as a mother cow might say to her calf), don’t bother me.  “Hey, man, forget about it, no ma mes.”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]

O

O.G. (oh gee) n., Original Gangster, a comrade of long standing, a veteran or elder.  “We had to learn our ways from the OG’s.”  [Etym., African American]

P

P. I., (pee eye) n., Personal information.  “This information is strictly P. I.”  Also., adj., “You have to promise to keep it P. I.”   [Etym., 80’s youth]

Packing, (PACK-ing)  v. pres. participle,  Carrying a weapon.  “When that security guard grabbed me, I could feel he was packing.”  [Etym., African American]

Patna, (PAT-na) n., Friend, comrade.   “Yo, patna, haven’t seen you in weeks.”  [Etym., African American, from partner.]

Peace out, (pees aut) interjection., goodbye, see you later.  “Peace out, guys.”  Also simply, Peace.  [Etym., African American]

Peeps, (peeps)  n., Friends, associates.  “I’m sticking with my peeps.”  [Etym., African American]

Perky, (PER-kee) adj.,  Possessing a thick butt with a slim figure.  “That girl’s pants make her look perky.”  [Etym., African American]

Phat, (fat) adj.,  Good, great, tight, cool, wealthy.  “The party was phat, we had so much fun.”  (Also:  Phatty used as noun or adjective; Phatty-phatty-bo-batty as adjective.)  [Etym., 17^th Century England, fat, hip hop usage from 80’s, ph- spelling from 1981]  See:  Fat.

Pinche, (PEEN-chay) adj., damned, goddamned, “I can’t get this pinche ride to start.”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]

Pinner, (PIN-er) n., A very small, tightly rolled, joint.  “Hey, don’t just roll a pinner.”  [Etym., drug culture]

Player, (PLAY-er)  n., Also:  Playa.  Someone who is dating two or more people at the same time.  A pimp.  “Jordan thinks he is such a player.”  [Etym., from Superfly film, Curtis Mayfield.]

Poke, (poke) v., To have sexual relations.  “Got to have something to poke on.”  Also as noun:  “I want to get my poke in.”  Demeaning.  [Etym., hip hop]

Pookie, (PU-kee) n., marijuana, bot., cannabis sativa.  “Yo, fool, where’s the pookie at?”  [Etym., drug culture]

Poontang, (POON-tang)  n., Female genitals.  “He can’t think of anything but poontang.” Also:  poonanny. [Etym., American south, 1920’s]

Pooped, (poopt)  v. past participle.  Out of breath, exhausted.  “I was pooped after the long hike.”  [Etym., 60’s youth culture]

Po-po, (poe poe) n., the police.  “Uh, oh, here comes the po-po.”  [Etym., African American]

Poppin’ a collar,  (POP-in a CAL-er) v., pres. participle.   A style of dancing in which the dancer holds his/her collar and rocks gently to the music.  “Those hood rats are always poppin’ a collar.” [Etym., Hip hop]

Props (props) n., Respect, credit that is due to one, credit for accomplishment.  “I’ve gotta give props to the teachers we had.”  [Etym., hip hop]

Punk, (punk) n., A person into the punk music scene; a coward; someone who deliberately attempts to annoy.  “I knew he’d turn out to be a punk.”  [Etym., 80’s youth]

R

Rapstar, (RAP-star) n., A man who doesn’t have a main girlfriend, who talks to many different young women. See also playa. Also:  Rapstar status.  “He is starting to act like a rapstar all the time.”  [Etym., African American]

Ras (ras) interjection.,  An exclamation of surprise.  “Ras, you scared me there!” [Etym., Rastafarian.]

Rat Head, (rat hed) n., Low class person, usually a female, who carries herself in an inappropriate way or dresses trashy.  “Oh, no, those braids need to come out, she is such a rat head.”  [Etym., African American]

Reachin’, (REECH-in) v. pres. participle,  Ready to fight.  “If she says that shit again, I’ll be reachin’ for her.”  [Etym., African American]

Real talk, (reel tawk) n., serious talk, not joking around.  “Real talk, where are we going tonight.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Represent, (re-pree-SENT) v.,  To make a good showing; to stand up for, to be role model, to give respect to.  “I don’t care where you started out from, now that you’re here you’ve got to represent.”  [Etym., African American]

Rigoddamnedicilous (ree-god-dam-DI-ku-luss)  adj.,  Grossly negative, highly irregular, superbly interesting.     An expression used to hyperbolically explain the magnitude of an event, comment, action, belief, etc., in its abnormality.  “The fact that an idiot is president is rigoddamnediculous.”  Cf. Absofuckinglutely   [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Rollers, (ROLL-erz) n,  The police.  “Duck down, here come the rollers.”  [Etym., African American]

Rollin’, (ROL-in) v. pres. participle., Driving in a car.  On a drug, usually ecstasy.  Traveling from one place to another. Making a marijuana joint with your hands.  “Yo, I’m rollin’ like a mad man.”  Rollin’ deep:  traveling with a larger group or crew.  [Etym., African American]

S

Saucy (SAW-see) adj.,  attractive, fondly regarded, sweet.  “Those new shoes are hella saucy.”  [Etym., African American]

Scan’lous, (SCAN-lus)  adj.,  From scandalous.  Especially mean, evil, and cold-hearted.  “That vice principal was scan’lous the way he picked on our group.”  Also:  scandocious (scan-DOSH-us) [Etym., African American, E-40 lyrics]

Schmabbin’, (SCHMA-bin) v. pres. participle, Driving fast, burning tire rubber when starting out.  Also:  driving around in the car with a group of friends, playing the radio loud, shouting out.  “Yeah, we were straight schmabbin’ last night.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Schmank, (shmank) interj.,  An exclamation to show distress or unhappiness.  “Schmank!  The prom tickets are sold out!”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Schmutz, (shmutz) n., A bit of food or dirt, usually on the face.  “You have a little schmutz on your lip.”  [Etym., Yiddish]

Scratch,(skrach) n., money, cash.  “Gimme some scratch until tomorrow.”  [Etym., African American]

Scuffed (skuft) adj.,(past participle of verb scuff),  beat up, messed up, or ugly.  “I came out of that party looking really scuffed.”  [Etym., African American]

Set, (set)  n., A group of friends.  “We’re going to let her hang out with our set this weekend.”  [Etym., African American]

Shady, (SHAY-dee)  adj.,  Mean, unfair, untrustworthy, dishonest.  “These small town police are shady.”  [Etym., African American]  See:  shisty.

Shake, (shake) n., The less desirable parts of the marijuana plant, that which is left over, shaken onto the table, after the best part, the buds, have been taken out.  “Hey, I can just give you some of this shake.”  See:  Bammer.  [Etym., drug]

Shiselal, (SHI-ze-lal) n., stuff, goods, credit.  “Man, help me out with some shiselal.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Shisty (SHY-stee) adj.,  mean, dishonest, scandalous.  “That guy is acting hella shisty.”  [Etym., African American]  See:  shady.

Shorty, (SHOR-tee)  n., Girlfriend.  “I have the sweetest shorty.”  [Etym., African American]

Shotgun,  Also:  shotti. (SHOT-gun, SHOT-ee), n., The front right passenger seat.  “I called shotgun so I could pick the radio stations.”  [Etym., Old west, stagecoach movies]

Sick, (sik) adj.,  Good or bad, depending on context.  “Check out that outfit, it’s sick.”  [Etym., African American]

Skank,  (skank),  n., Someone who is easily accessible sexually or behaves like a prostitute, a shallow person.  “I can't believe that she got with him. She is such a skank!”  Also:  skanky ,  adj.,  Disgusting, unappealing, dirty. [Etym., Hip hop]

Skeevy, (SKEE-vee) adj.,  Slimy, inappropriate  “That skeevy guy over there is your boyfriend!?” [Etym., African American]

Skittle, (SKIT-tul) n.,  One who is of multi-racial ancestry and or appears to be so.  Used primarily by females of white and black descent.  “Sadie is one of my favorite skittles.”  [Etym., African American]

Skrill,  Also:  skrilla, (skrill, SKRIL-a) n., money, cash.  “I can’t go out unless I get some skrill.”  [Etym., Berkeley High]

Slang, (slang)  v., also pres part., slangin’.   Variation on sling, slinging.  To sell drugs, especially cocaine, especially on the street.  “His brother is gonna go down, he’s steady slangin’ outside the apartments.”  [Etym., African American]

Spew,  (spew) v.,  To vomit or throw up  “Sorry I spewed on your carpet.” Also: hurl    [Etym., 80’s youth culture, e.g. Wayne’s World]

Sprung,  adj.,  (sprung), To be seriously attracted to someone  “He was sprung off her.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Stagin’, (STAJ-in) v. present participle, Showing off, bragging, putting oneself in the spotlight, usually in front of a crowd.  “I was stagin’ tank in the courtyard.”  [Etym., African American]

Stoned, (stond) v. past participle., High on drugs.  [Etym., Ray Charles “Let’s go get stoned.”]

Stoner, (STO-nur) n., A person who uses drugs habitually.  “I don’t hang out with him anymore, he’s such a stoner.”  [Etym., 80’s youth culture]

Straight (up), (strayt up) adv., Truthfully, absolutely.  “She straight up told me she likes that boy.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Strapped, (strapt) v. past participle.  Carrying a weapon.   “When Shaft went underground, he was always strapped.”  [Etym., African American]

Stuntin’, (STUN-tin) v. present participle.  Wearing expensive clothes and jewels to show that you have money to waste.  “He’s always stuntin’ when he shows at the dance.”  [Etym., African American]

Suck, (suk) v., to be bad, negative, hateful.  “This school really sucks.”  [Etym., 70’s youth; in modern usage, no sexual connotation]

Swanson, (SWAN-sun) n., coward, one who will back down when confronted.  “What a swanson.”  [Etym., African American]

Swerve, (swerv)  n., Drunkenness.  “I’ve gotta get my swerve on.”  As verb, past part., swerved.  “That guy is hella swerved, don’t let him drive.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Swolles,  (swolz) n., Muscles, from swollen.  “That guy has some hella big swolles.”   [Etym., African American]

Swoop, (swoop) v., To pick up, to meet up with.  “I’ll swoop you at about 9 tonight!” [Etym., 90’s youth]

T

Tacked, (takt) v. past participle, (also:  tact, taxed), Drunk or high.  “That boy who never comes to class is always tacked.”  [Etym., drug sub-culture]

Thang, (thang) n., A thing.  Attractive item.  “There are all kinds of thangs I want for Christmas.”    [Etym., African American]

Tight, (tite) adj., Good, cool, striking, appealing, trendy, great, amazing.  “Your calculator is so tight.”  “My new year’s eve was tight.”  Also, interj., great, wonderful.  “We’re going to the store.  Tight!” Also:  tighty whities, jockey underwear. [Etym., Hip hop]

To’ (toe) n., Also:  to’ up.  From, torn up.  Disheveled, messed up, dirty, in disarray or disorder.  “That guy was to’.”  Used in:  To’ up from the flo’ up (“Torn up from the floor up.)” and To’ back (meaning “messed up.”)  [Etym., African American]

Toot, (toot)  n., Prostitute.  “Sometimes you act like such a toot.” [Etym., African American]

Trillin’, (TRIL-in) adj.,  Relaxing or chillin’ with friends, sometimes while intoxicated.  A combination to trippin’ and chillin’.  “My friends and I were just trillin’ last night.”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Tuch, (tuch)  v., to express anger, condemnation.  “Tuch you, man.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Tweaker,  (TWEE-kur)  n., An unusual person, someone who acts weird, someone who worries extensively.  A drug addict.  “Look at all those tweakers kickin' it in the park!”   Also, verb, to worry too much.  “Stop tweakin’, mom, I can bring the grade up by the semester reports.”  [Etym., Hip hop]

Twenty-four-seven, 24/7,  adv., all the time, constantly  “My friend and I talk on the phone 24/7.”  [Etym., 90’s youth culture]

Twomp (twamp) n.,  twenty, also twenty dollars, often referring to a quantity of marijuana. “Can I borrow a twomp?”  “I got me a twomp sack.”  [Etym., hip hop]

V

W

Wack (wak) adj., Bad, negative, messed up, terrible.  “That new CD from Brittany Spears is wack.”    Superlative  wickity-wack.  “That one from Christina Aguilera is wickity-wack.  [Etym., African American]

Wannabe (WAN-a-bee) n., adj., Someone who “wants to be” something he/she isn’t, such as an athlete, a strong person, a leader.  “That Eddie is such a wannabe.”  “Yeah, he’s a wannabe rock star.”  [Etym., African American]

Wazzup, (waz-ZUP) interj., what’s up?  What’s happening?  How are you doing? Var:  wazzupers?  “Hello?  Oh, hi, partna, wazzup?”  [Etym., 90’s youth]

Whoady (WHOE-dee) n.,  Friend, family.  “He’s been my whoady for three years.”  [Etym., New Orleans]

Womp, (wahmp) v., to be negative, sometimes to smell bad.  “This sucks, this really womps.” [Etym., Berkeley High]

Word, (werd) interjection, An exclamation of agreement, affirmation.  Also:  Word up.  “That’s the best jump shot I’ve ever seen!”  “Word!” [Etym., African American, church, 1960’s]

Yoink, (yoink),  exclaim.  An exclamation used while stealing something quickly.  “I think I like your cat ... yoink!”    [Etym., The Simpsons, 1990]

Z

Zuke, (zook) n., A man dressed in Latin style, very stylishly and carefully dressed.  A Chicano/Latino male.  “Man, that guy was a real zuke.”  [Etym., Chicano/Spanish]