Our Slang: A Cultural Study by Kai Wright

OUR SLANG A C U LT U R A L S T U D Y B Y K A I W R I G H T AT L A N TA B AY A R E A CHICAGO NEW YORK CITY TORONTO

INTRO I would like to bring attention to five major Englishspeaking cities of North America and how some of their popular slang developed simply providing a slang spotlight on Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area and Toronto. My main goal is, to show how slang differs throughout certain cities and also how some slang is shared. As a designer, I will grasp the concepts of slang and visually map a brief history on why and how a word or phrase came to be and show how the context of the word and/or phrase may be used in a modern way. I plan to visually map the connections and influences through a book format.

dedicated to uncle nate. RIP

AT L

ATLANTAN SLANG SHOUT OUT TO THE WESTSIDE (BANKHEAD), EAST ATLANTA, COLLEGE PARK & EVERY WHERE ELSE IN BETWEEN. 404 − 678.

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MODERN AT L A N TA N SLANG

SLANG SPOTLIGHT What is true about the city of Atlanta and its slang is that most of its influences come from the fact that Atlanta is a major hub of the south and is actively a city known for its entertainment, growing communities and diverse culture. It is also known to be a major city with rich African American history. The slang of Atlanta comes from the crevasses of the neighborhoods. The slang is more so a rebirth of the southern twang mixed in with modern words. Some are birthed from the traps in Bankhead and some birthed from the hoods of East Atlanta. All in all, Atlantan slang can be found anywhere if you listen closely.

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“I had to finesse that!”

12 The police. The term comes from the police radio code for 10-12. see ‘jakes’ CHI. ATL/The A/A-Town Nicknames for Atlanta.

Ball Capping Showing off excessively.

Bando Short for an abandon house.

Bruh Brother, friend and/or acquaintance. Also used to question a person’s actions. see ‘fam’ CHI. Doe The word “though” said with an Atlantan accent. The word is typically used as an emphasis/ending word in a sentence. see ‘still’ TOR.

Dub/The Wig Something that is below average.

Due To The Fact A phrase that is used to describe your reasoning for a past action.

Finesse To figure out a way to make a situation work in your favor.

Finna A classic Southern word that has been around for many decades. Early on, many southerners would say “fixing to”, which meant “about to”.

The word would be used to let another person know that you were about to do something.

The term “fixing to” then shorted to finna.

Flame/Joning To harshly insult. see ‘gun’’ CHI. Flexin Showing off to gain attention. see ‘stuntin’ BAY.

“Shawty quit flexin’.”

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“Oh that thang fye.”

Fye Something that is extremely cool. see ‘tight’ BAY – see ‘raw’ CHI.

Guap/Bands A large amount of money.

Gyat Damn A transitional or a filler word mainly used as a sign of thinking about the next part of your sentence. Not to be confused with the phrase, “God dammit.”

Jay A drug addict. see ‘cluck’ CHI. Juug A means to make money whether if it is legal or illegal. “Making a juug.”

Patna Nem Your group of close friends. see ‘cutty’ BAY. Plug A close connection with a person that has access to both legal and illegal goods that is hard to get your hands on.

Pull Up To arrive or approach someone or a place. see ‘come see me’ NYC – see ‘swoop’ BAY.

Sauce The way a person carries themsleves in a positive or original manner.

Shawty The word “shorty” said with an Atlantan accent. Shawty is a word to describe a child, your friend, an attractive person or sometimes an enemy. Generally it’s a word to describe a person that you may or may not know. see ‘shorty & B’ NYC – see ‘fam’ CHI – see ‘ting’ TOR.

“Yeen got no sauce bruh!”

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“What zone you rep?

Zone 4 patna.”

Talmbout The word, “talking about,” said with an Atlantan accent.

Trap A word defining an array of things. Trap is a culture; it’s music, a mindset, an action, a movement and way of life.

Turn Up A phrase that is used to create excitement around something special. Also, using drugs and alcohol. see ‘on one’ BAY. Wazzam?

The phrase “what’s happening”, said with an Atlantan accent.

What’s hannin?

The phrase “what’s happening”, also said with an Atlantan accent.

Youngblood Someone that is considered young. see ‘yute’ TOR.

Zone Zones are divided areas of Atlanta by the Atlanta Police Department Zone 1

The west side of Atlanta including the Bluff, Bankhead, Grove Park Vine City and West Lake.

Zone 2

The north side of Atlanta including Buckhead, West Midtown and Piedmont heights. It is known to be the wealthier side of the city.

Zone 3

The southeast side of Atlanta including Amal Heights, Joyland, Lakewood, Thomasville and Capitol View.

Zone 4

The southwest side of Atlanta including Adamsville, Hartsfield-Jackson Int’l Airport, Cascade, Ben Hill and West End. It is known also known as S.W.A.T.S, which stands for South West Atlanta, too strong.

Zone 5

The central downtown area of Atlanta including Boulevard, Five Points, Georgia State University and Georgia Tech.

Zone 6

The east side of Atlanta including, East Atlanta, East Atlanta Heights, Edgewood and Old Fourth Ward.

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B AY

BAY AREA SLANG All the way from the sco to oaktown.

From the rich to b-Town.

Vallejo & san jose. Yee Yee.

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MODERN B AY A R E A SLANG

SLANG SPOTLIGHT What is true about the Bay Area and its slang is that, most of its influences come from the culture of Northern California. What plays a major part in the slang of today’s Bay Area is due to remnants of the Hyphy Movement, and the people who helped bring that to the forefront of American Hip-Hop music. Rappers such as Mac Dre & E-40, created much of the slang. The words are used all over America. Interesting enough, many Bay Area residents would claim that most of their slang was stolen and not given the credit. The slang in The Bay is nonetheless distinct and creative.

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“The function was hella active.”

Active Having an extremely great time. see ‘lit’ NYC. All Gravy/Gravity A word to describe that all matters are well. see ‘good bread’ NYC.

B-Town Nickname for Berkeley, CA. Beezy/Bopper/Ripper/Runner Generally, a loose woman. see ‘t.h.o.t.’ CHI – see ‘cyattie’ TOR.

Cutty/The Homie Your best friend or a real good friend. see ‘patna nem’ ATL.

Doin It Movin To actively progress with one task while dealing with another.

Fade A transplant word originally from South Central, L.A., which means to kill another gang member and metaphorically fade his gang colors away. Now the word’s meaning has been more used to describe a hate or disagreement towards someone. It’s also used as a fighting word. “Catch this fade.”

Function A really fun event/party or trying to have fun.

Gassed To be really excited about something or to fill your head with high hopes.

Giggin A word similar to “active”, which means to have a really great time or dancing.

Going 18 Going crazy.

“Homie was giggin hard!”

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“Let’s mob to the spotone time.”

Hella/A Gang A word used to describe a high amount of something. see ‘mad’ NYC. Hyphy A word most known to be from the Bay Area, which means acting hyperactive. The word became famous through the Hyphy Movement in the late 90s to the early 2000s.

Low Key/Lightweight To be reserved, quiet or out the way. Also used as a word to describe something that isn’t too much or over the top.

Mark/Square A weak minded individual. see ‘wassy’ TOR – see ‘goofy’ CHI. Mightcould A word literally meaning that you might or you could be sure about something.

Mobbin/Shmobbin Moving from place to place with a lot of people that you know.

Off Top The very first thing that needs attention. Also commonly used as an okay.

On Momma(s)/On Citas A phrase used to show that you are honest about something. The term “on momma(s)” means that you are swearing on your mom.

The variation, “on citas” means the same thing, but takes from the Spanish, word mamacitas”. see ‘on foe nem’ CHI. On One Can mean an array of things, but the most common meaning is that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. see ‘turn up’ ATL. Real Spit Speaking with honesty. see ‘real talk’ TOR. Scraper A nice car that is usually a custom of some sort.

“On citas it was yankin.”

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“Swoop me from The Town.”

SF/The Sco Nickname for San Francisco, CA. Slapper An extremely great song, that tends to have a lot of bass.

Stuntin Showing out and showing off. see ‘flexin’ ATL. Swoop To pick up someone from somewhere. see ‘pull up’ ATL.

The Rich Nickname for Richmond, CA. Tight Something that is cool/great or above average. see ‘fye’ ATL – see ‘raw’ CHI.

The Tank Nickname for San Jose, CA. Short for The Shark Tank.

The Town/Oak Town/The O Nickname for Oakland, CA. Thizz Popularized by late Bay Area rapper Mac Dre, which means to use ecstasy and benefit from its effects.

Valley Jo Nickname for Vallejo, CA. Yadidamean?

Claimed to be created and popularized by Bay Area rapper Keak Da Sneak, which means, “You know what I mean”?

Yankin Extremely exciting.

Yee No definition. It’s just Yee… You Smell Me? A question to ensure that someone understands what you are saying.

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CHI

CHICAGOAN SLANG SHOUT OUT THE SOUTHSIDE & WESTSIDE. LOVE FOR THE NORTHSIDE.

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MODERN CHICAGOAN SLANG

SLANG SPOTLIGHT What’s true about the city of Chicago and its slang is that, most of the influences come from its rich history. Chicago was and still is a known city for its gangs, and some of the words and phrases originated from the gangs of Chicago. Most of the words are now used within the Chicago drill music scene. Now, these words become usable to the rest of the city and even the rest of the world.

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“Aye joe, what’s the demo?”

Bogus/ Bodeen Something that is below average or not real.

Cappin Talking reckless. see ‘coming out yo face’ NYC. Chi Town/The Chi/Chiraq Nicknames for Chicago.

Clout Respect or notability.

Cluck Someone who is addicted to drugs. see ‘jay’ ATL. Coo Something that is also below average.

Also, deals with plans that don’t work.

Critical An important matter.

Da The word “the” said with a Chicagoan accent.

Drill A word coined by Chicago rapper, King Louie meaning a routine or a daily practice.

Fam A person that may or may not be family. Used to acknowledge someone. see ‘bruh’ ATL. Fin Five dollars.

Fool/ Buddy/Joe A friend, foe or a stranger. Also used to get ones attention. see ‘son’ NYC. Fu A word originating from the military slang word “fugazi”, which means a terrible situation, but the meaning then switched to meaning fake or false, which is now shortened to just fu or fu-fu.

“Fam that’s all fu, all bogus.”

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“Fool and nem some goofies.”

Goofy An odd person who is usually not to be associated with. see ‘wassy’ TOR – see ‘mark’ BAY. Gun To insult harshly. see ‘flame’ ATL. Jakes/Fops Police. see ‘12’ ATL. Jam A word used to describe a situation that deals with being jailed or in trouble.

Lackin A word to describe poor attention and making mistakes.

Merch/ Chief A word used as sign of affirmation, honesty or vouching. see ‘bet’ NYC.

Mug A word mainly used as emphases to a sentence. see ‘doe’ ATL. On Larry/Jeff/ Stone/ Foe Nem Gang related terms that source back to Larry Hoover, Jeff Fort, Gangster Disciples and The Black P Stones, which replaces the term, “On God” or “Swear to God.” see ‘on mommas’ BAY. Opps Your rivals, enemies, etc.

Pidd A sense of ending a sentence. Used as a period. see ‘still’ TOR – see ‘doe’ ATL. Popped A word meaning ugly.

Raw/Cold Something that is above average. see ‘tight’ BAY.

“Let’s run this drill fam.”

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“Gotta lotta clout in the Chi.” Sawbuck Ten dollars.

Stain To steal. see ‘teef’ TOR. T.H.O.T. An acronym meaning that ho over there. see ‘cyattie’ TOR – see ‘beezy’ BAY.

Tweakin A word used to describe someone that is acting or experiencing a strange moment. see ‘buggin’ NYC.

What’s the demo?

Means, “What’s going on?”

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NYC

NEW YORKER SLANG WE GET IT IN MANHATTAN, KEEP IN IT BROOKLYN, FIND IT IN THE BRONX. PRESERVE IT IN QUEENS, & show it in Staten Island.

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MODERN NEW YORKER SLANG

SLANG SPOTLIGHT What is true about the city of New York is that it is known to be the most diverse city in the US. The slang comes from around the world and was shared around the five boroughs via NYC natives, (African Americans from the south, immigrants mainly from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Italy, Ireland and Jamaica). When Hip-Hop music was born in New York, the slang could be embedded in the music then moved around the city and the country quicker. Much of the slang today is still the result of the city’s atmosphere, vibe and the style of New York.

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“Yo, it’s mad brick outson!”

B/Son/Money A friend, foe or a stranger. Also used to get one’s attention. see ‘joe’ CHI. Bananas/Wildn Going extremely crazy in either a positive or negative manner.

Bet A word that seals your promise to another person. Literally means to bet on it. Used as an okay. see ‘merch’ CHI. Bodega A small tight-fit mart/deli with, alcohol, snacks and smokes also for sale. Bodega literally means “cellar” or “winery” in Spanish.

Brick A word to describe cold temperature.

Buggin A word used to describe someone that is acting or experiencing a strange moment or acting out of character. see ‘tweakin’ CHI. Coming Out Yo Face/Mouth Talking disrespectfully. see ‘cappin’ CHI. Curved/Deaded To be denied.

Dead Ass A response used to show that you’re very serious about something. It is short for “dead ass serious.”

Dub A let down. It is also a dancehall dance.

Facts/True A word implying that your statements are truthful.

Good Looks A way of saying thank you. see ‘big up’ TOR.

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“ Que lo que?I’m at the bodega.”

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“Midtown traffic had me tight!”

Good Money/Bread All matters are well. see ‘all gravy’ BAY. Gully A classic word meaning dirty, nasty or “ghetto.” It can be used in a positive or negative way. The word is a transplant, which came from the many Jamaican immigrants who came to Brooklyn (Flatbush Area). In Jamaica, a gully is a low sewer or trench. In Kingston Jamaica specifically, the gully is a not-so-nice part of Kingston (Cassava Piece).

Holla at me!/Come see me!

A phrase that can be used in a positive or negative manner, which is used to get someone to approach you. see ‘pull up’ ATL. Joint A word that describes something generic. It is also an attractive person. see ‘ting’ TOR.

Lit A word to describe a very exciting event. see ‘active’ BAY.

Mad A large amount. see ‘hella’ BAY. My Man A male friend. Also a phrase used to question a person’s actions. see ‘man dem’ TOR. No Doubt Another classic phrase meaning that you understand what is being said without a doubt. see ‘seen’ TOR.

NYC/The City Nicknames for New York City.

O.D. A word, that is short for overdose, which describes the act of overly showing off or acting out. see ‘ball cappin’ ATL. On Deck A phrase to explain that whatever you have on hand is ready for use.

Pause A word used in a sentence to explain or clarify that your meaning doesn’t have homosexual innuendos.

“Yo, You buggin!”

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“Word up B!” Peep To briefly check something out.

Shorty A girl. see ‘gyal’ TOR. Tell me how?

Usually how some New Yorkers would start a sentence when they explain a funny or interesting story.

Tight To be furious and/or angry. see ‘cheesed’ TOR. What’s Good?

A common phrase, which means, “What’s up?”

Womp Another word to explain that something is a let down. see ‘weak’ TOR. Word A word used to ensure that you understand something. Also, used as a question that implies your curiosity about a matter. see ‘seen & ahlie’ TOR.

Word is Bond Another classic phrase mainly used by older New Yorkers. The word is used when claiming whatever you say is true and something that you stand by. Some claim it first started being said in the mid-90s.

Yo/Ayo One of the most classic slang words, which is a greeting or an attention getter. Some claim it was first used by Italian immigrants that moved to Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey.

You Good?/You good.

A phrase with many meanings. Mainly used to ask about a person’s well being. It’s also used as a way to say that the present matter is fine. The same can work with the phrase,“I’m good.”

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TOR

TOrONTONIAN SLANG FROM THE EAST END TO THE WEST END, IT’S ALL LOVE & TRUE SAY. TOP LEFT.

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MODERN TORONTONIAN SLANG

SLANG SPOTLIGHT What is true about the city of Toronto and its slang is that, most of its influences come from outside of Canada. There are major influences of the Caribbean culture that finds it’s way into the city.

The heavy contrast of the Canadian accent and the slang that comes from Jamaica, Trinidad etc. become a hybrid that is Torontonian slang.

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“Proper ting still.”

Ahlie A word used to ensure that you are correct about something. see ‘word’ NYC. Bad Mon Ting A phrase exclaiming that someone is bad, which implies coolness.

Big Time More than usual standards.

Big Tings A phrase explaining one’s accomplishments.

Big Up An expression to show your respect or giving thanks. see ‘good looks’ NYC. Bless A greeting that can be used as a goodbye or hello.

Cheesed To be angry or irritated. see ‘tight’ NYC. Cyattie A woman that carries herself badly. see ‘t.h.o.t.’ CHI – see ‘beezy’ BAY.

Dawg Friend, foe or anyone.

Dunnoe A phrase used to agree with someone.

From Time A phrase that describes knowing about something or someone since the beginning.

Gyal/Gyal Dem A word/phrase meaning woman or women.

Link Talking or meeting up with someone.

Mans/Man Dem A word/phrase meaning man or men. see ‘my man’ NYC.

“Link me still eh?”

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“Mans been T.O. from time dawg.”

Proper Something that is well done.

Real Talk Speaking with honesty. see ‘real spit’ BAY. Sauga Nickname for Mississauga, which is west of Toronto.

Scarbs Nickname for Scarborough, which is east of Toronto.

Seen A word used to show that you understand someone. see ‘word’ NYC. Still A word used for emphasis or to end a sentence. see ‘doe’ ATL – see ‘pidd’ CHI.

T Dot/ T.O./The Dot Nicknames for Toronto.

Teef To steal. see ‘stain’ CHI. The 6 Nickname for Toronto that involves the city’s area codes (416/647). Was first popularized by Toronto rapper, Drake.

Ting Thing/Stuff. Also, means someone attractive.

Some say that the Jamaican soda called “Ting” is the origin of the usage when calling someone atrracitve a “ting”. see ‘joint’ NYC. Wa Gwan?

A Caribbean based greeting meaning, “What’s going on?”

Wassy Said to be stemmed from Somali, meaning something or someone that is low value. see ‘goofy’ CHI.

“What you saying?”

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“No time for a wasteman.”

Wasteman An insult to describe someone that does nothing positive with his or her life.

Weak Something that is a major let down.

What you saying?

A greeting asking about one’s plans for the day or night.

Yute Anyone that is considered young. see ‘youngblood’ ATL.

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Big thank you to the m a n y p e o p le w h o helped out.

M o s t re s p e c t s , Kai We s t e r n M i c h i g a n U n i v e r s i t y 2 0 1 5 w w w. s a n g o b e a t s . c o m

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