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.

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.

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 persons 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.
2

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 its 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!
4

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; its 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 whats happening, said with an
Atlantan accent.
Whats hannin?
The phrase whats 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 Intl 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.

B AY

BAY AREA SLANG

All the way from the sco to oaktown.
From the rich to b-Town.
Vallejo & san jose. Yee Yee.

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 todays 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.

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 words meaning
has been more used to describe a hate or
disagreement towards someone. Its 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!
2

Lets 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 isnt 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.

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. Its just Yee
You Smell Me?
A question to ensure that someone
understands what you are saying.

CHI

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

MODERN
CHICAGOAN
SLANG

SLANG SPOTLIGHT
Whats 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.

Aye joe,
whats
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 dont 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
thats
all fu, all
bogus.
2

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.

Lets
run this
drill fam.
4

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.

Whats the demo?

Means, Whats going on?

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.

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 citys atmosphere, vibe and the style
of New York.

Yo, its
mad brick
outson!
B/Son/Money
A friend, foe or a stranger. Also used to get
ones 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 youre 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.

Que lo
que?Im
at the
bodega.

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 persons 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 doesnt have
homosexual innuendos.

Yo, You
buggin!

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.
Whats Good?
A common phrase, which means, Whats 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 persons well being. Its also used
as a way to say that the present matter
is fine. The same can work with the
phrase,Im good.

TOR

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

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 its 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.

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 ones 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?
2

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 citys
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, Whats
going on?
Wassy
Said to be stemmed from Somali, meaning
something or someone that is low value.
see goofy CHI.

What you
saying?
4

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 ones plans for the day
or night.
Yute
Anyone that is considered young. see youngblood ATL.

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