And with a population of over 8.5 million people, a ⅓ of them being immigrants from other counties, it’s easy to see why this big bustling city would develop a language of their own. Similar to when you learn any language, it can be hard to understand at first! So whether you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple or just simply want to add some words to your lexicon inspired by the famous city, check out this list of New York slang words.
45 Common New York Slang Words
1. Grill
This New York slang word means to stare at someone for a long period of time in an unrelenting way or to ask someone questions in an accusatory way. “She kept grilling me while I was walking towards the train.”
2. Brick
When someone calls the weather outside it means the roads are icy and slushy and it is freezing outside. “Grab your coat! It’s brick outside.”
3. Frontin’
According to New Yorkers, you know someone who is pretending that they are better than they really are, they are frontin’. “Don’t be frontin’"
4. Kid/Son
If a New Yorker calls you a “kid” or “son”, you should take it as a compliment. It means they see you as a close friend! “Hey kid, what you got going on tonight?” “Son, you gotta calm down.”
5. Whip
This New York slang word usually refers to a very nice or expensive car. “Look at that whip"
6. Ratchet
When New Yorkers call something or someone “ratchet” it’s not a good thing. This word usually refers to someone who doesn’t take care of themselves and has a filthy appearance. It could also be used to describe a place that is shabby and just looks really run down. “Don’t go there. I’ve heard the bathrooms are ratchet.”
7. Real Talk
If you hear someone start a sentence with the words “real talk”, be prepared for a serious conversation. “It’s time for real talk."
8. The City
For local New Yorkers, the island of Manhattan is called “The City.” “You down to go to The City tonight?”
9. Mad
This New York slang word is different than your usual take on “mad.” In the hustling and bustling eastern city, this adjective is a New Yorker’s intensifying adverb of choice. “It’s mad delicious!”
10. Deadass
When a New Yorker says they’re “deadass”, it means they’re completely and totally serious about something. “I was deadass when I said I didn’t want to see him anymore.”
11. Schmear
When you head to a deli, you may want to order a bagel with schmear. It’s a shorter way to say “a lot of cream cheese”! “I always start my mornings with an everything bagel and schmear. Don’t you?”
12. Dumb
This New York slang word also adds an additional emphasis to the word that follows it. “The weather outside is dumb cold.”
13. Pie
When an average American hears the word “pie”, they usually think of the sweet kinds like apple or pumpkin. But, when a native New Yorker says this word, they’re usually talking about the state’s infamous pizza! “Can we get a pie tonight from Umberto’s Pizzeria? It’s one of the best!”
14. Spaz
This New York slang word is usually used to describe someone who becomes physically or verbally aggressive. “I came home late last night and she totally spazzed out on me!”
15. Schvitz
This New York slang word derives from Yiddish but is now used by all New Yorkers. It usually means to sweat. “I was schvitzing on the train to the city yesterday. These New York summers are so hot!”
16. Stoop
This word refers to the steps outside someone’s house or apartment building. “On summer nights, we like to sit on the stoop and people watch.”
17. Thirsty
Usually used in the dating world, this New York slang word is used to describe someone who is acting desperate. “Why are you acting so thirsty?”
18. Tight
When New Yorkers say “tight”, they’re usually talking about something they think is cool. It is also used to mean that someone is upset about something. “Those new shoes are tight, man!” “I’m still tight about the way you acted around my new boyfriend last night.”
19. Hella
This New York slang word is commonly used in place of “really” or “very” when describing something. “Thank God LA is hella far away from NYC.”
20. Na’ mean
This is a very short way of saying “do you know what I mean.” “Our new boss is so rude. Na’mean?”
21. Guap
This New York slang word usually means money. “Don’t forget to count all your guap before you clock out tonight.”
22. Trippin'
When someone is trippin’, they’re usually being dramatic or throwing stuff way out of proportion. “Stop trippin’ over that text. I didn’t mean it!”
23. Bodega
A New Yorkers’ favorite spot is their neighborhood’s bodega! A bodega is a small convenience store or grocery store, that is not a chain like 7-11 and is usually locally owned. You can usually get daily essentials like milk, eggs, and liquor here. But some have a grill to whip up delicious sandwiches! “Are you going to the bodega? Can you pick me up a chopped cheese and some toilet paper?”
24. “A Minute”
When New Yorkers say they haven’t seen you in “a minute” it means you’ve gone a long period of time without seeing each other! “I haven’t seen you in a minute! How have you been all these years?”
25. Beastin’
Usually used in motivational context, this New York slang word means giving it your all and doing the absolute most! “Did you see your girl at the gym today? She was straight up beastin’!”
26. Beef
When two New Yorkers have unfinished business or an unresolved tension between two people, those people have beef. “I think he has beef with you."
27. Lit
In the Big Apple, when something is on fire, amazing, or fun, a New Yorker will describe it as “lit”. It can also sometimes be used to refer to a person who has consumed too many alcoholic drinks. “Did you go to Jason’s New Year’s Eve party this year? It was lit!”
28. Regular Coffee
When you hear “regular coffee”, you may think of just a cup of black coffee. In New York, a regular coffee is made with a large helping of cream and sugar! “I would like an everything bagel with schmear and a regular coffee, please.”
29. “You Good?”
In New York, these two words can mean a multitude of things. The phrase can usually mean:
Are you okay?Don’t worry about it.Stop.You’re cool.Is there a problem?
“Don’t worry about it. You good.”
30. Wavy
When something is “wavy” in New York, they’re not talking about the ocean! This usually refers to something that is cool or hip. “That concert was wavy tonight!”
31. Flip
In the city that never sleeps, if you’re going to “flip” on someone, that usually means you’re going to cancel your plans with them last minute. “Hey, sorry to flip out tonight. But I’m not feeling very well!"
32. Staticky
A New Yorker usually becomes “staticky” by a situation that causes unwanted friction or the desire to fight. “Someone bumped into me on the train and got all staticky like it was my fault or something.”
33. Scrap
For New Yorkers, if you’re going to “scrap” with someone, you’re going to fight. “I got into a huge scrap with someone last night.”
34. Schlep
With Yiddish roots, this New York slang word usually means to travel across long distances with or without your belongings. “My commute to New Jersey is such a schlep– it’s over 2 hours door to door!”
35. Gucci
Nothing to do with the luxury fashion brand, this New York slang word is a creative and fun way to say “good.” “Don’t worry about it. You’re gucci!”
36. Grimy
Usually used to describe a mean, unfair, messed up, and selfish person. “Don’t go out with him, he’s grimy."
37. Facts
This New York slang word is something that is rooted in truth. “The rent in New York is too high.” “Facts!”
38. Gotham
Another nickname for NYC! The city got this name because long ago it used to be a really corrupt city, like the one described in the Batman comics “Well, the crime is all too common here in Gotham.”
39. Bop
This New York slang word usually refers to a really good song. “Have you heard the new Jay-Z and Beyonce song? It’s such a bop!”
40. Basic
This word is used to describe someone who is only interested in things that are very mainstream. “She is so basic! All she wants to do is wear her UGG boots, drink Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks, and take pictures of her food.”
41. Bougie
Coming from the French word “bourgeoisie”, this New York slang word is used to describe someone who is doing something to make themselves appear more opulent. “I feel bougie as hell when I order crab and truffle mac and cheese!”
42. Sus
The ultimate New York slang word to describe something that looks or feels “suspect”. “I wouldn’t eat that, man—that piece of cheese looks super sus.”
43. Slice
This word refers to a single slice of glorious New York pizza. “Can I get a slice to-go?”
44. Hero
In Connecticut, they call it a grinder. In the Midwest, they call it a “sub”. But, in New York, a “hero” is a long deli sandwich that is made with either hot or cold fillings or meat and cheese and that is topped with the condiment of your choice. “Can I get an Italian hero with extra onions?”
45. “Fuggedaboutit!”
Made famous by HBO’s hit TV show, The Sopranos, this popular New York slang word is the short version of the phrase “forget about it.” This was made famous in Brooklyn because of Italian gangsters and the way they talk. “If you think you’re getting more money from me, fuggedaboutit!” Check out…Funny Sounding WordsCute WordsUnique Words
