🗽 New York Slang Dictionary

212 The original and most prestigious telephone area code for Manhattan. 718 The historic telephone area code representing the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island). 917 An area code introduced for mobile phones and pagers across all five boroughs of NYC. alternate side parking Parking regulations requiring street parking moves on specific days/times for street sweeping baconeggandcheese A classic NYC breakfast sandwich served on a roll or bagel Barclays Barclays Center, a major indoor sports and entertainment arena in Downtown Brooklyn beef Conflict, disagreement, or grudge between people bev Short for beverage; a drink taken alongside a meal (especially from a bodega) bialy A chewy, baked yeast roll similar to a bagel, but depressed in the center and topped with onions. Big Apple A famous worldwide moniker for New York City. BK Brooklyn block party A neighborhood street festival where a city block is closed to traffic for music, food, and games bodega A small corner grocery store, often open late or 24/7 bodega cat A resident cat kept in a local deli or corner store to keep pests away and greet customers boss Respectful or polite address to a stranger or service worker bouncer A security person hired at nightlife venues to check IDs and control entry. boutique A small, specialized shop selling fashionable clothes, gifts, or specialty goods bread Money brick Extremely cold weather bridge and tunnel A slightly derogatory term for commuters visiting Manhattan from surrounding areas Broadway A major thoroughfare famous as the heart of the American theater industry. broker fee A fee paid to a real estate agent for finding or facilitating an apartment rental. Brooklyn NYC's most populous borough, famous for its historic brownstones and vibrant culture. brownstone A classic NYC townhouse built with reddish-brown sandstone. brownstone steps The front stone staircase leading up to the entrance of a classic NYC row house, often used as a neighborhood hangout spot. bucks Dollars bugging Acting crazy, irrational, unreasonable, or paranoid. busking Performing music, acrobatics, or other entertainment in public places for tips from passersby. Bx The Bronx cat A person, guy, or fellow, often stylish or involved in music/street culture. Central Park A massive iconic urban park situated in middle Manhattan. chatter Continuous background conversation and talking from crowd sound. chop cheese A staple NYC sandwich made of ground beef, melted cheese, and grilled onions chopped on a flat top Chrysler The Chrysler Building, an iconic Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. Citi Field Baseball stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens, home to the NY Mets city that never sleeps A nickname for NYC highlighting its 24/7 activity and nightlife classic A timeless, iconic fashion item or traditional style clubbing Going out to dance clubs for music, drinks, and nightlife socializing. community garden A shared piece of land managed collectively by local residents to grow flowers, produce, and build community. concrete jungle A nickname for NYC referring to its dense urban environment of tall buildings and pavement. construction Ongoing building, roadwork, or structural repair widespread in the city. cool Fashionable, acceptable, calm, or impressive. cop To buy, get, or acquire something corner store A neighborhood convenience store or bodega located on a street intersection cover charge An entry fee paid at the door of a bar, club, or music venue. crib One's residence, apartment, or house. custom Uniquely tailored, personalized, or modified (often used for clothing, food orders, or style) deadass Seriously, genuinely, or for real deadass serious Extremely serious, 100% honest and sincere delayed A train or bus running behind schedule due to issues on the line deli A local food market selling sandwiches, cold cuts, snacks, and daily groceries dig To understand, appreciate, or like something. dirty water dog A traditional NYC street cart hot dog kept warm in a bath of seasoned hot water. dive bar An unpretentious, inexpensive, often worn-down neighborhood bar. dope Excellent, great, outstanding, or cool. dough Money drip Extremely stylish outfit, jewelry, or overall fashionable look dub A disappointment, bad situation, or rejected thing/person DUMBO A trendy Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood, short for 'Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass'. East River A tidal strait in NYC separating Manhattan and the Bronx from Brooklyn and Queens. egg cream A classic NYC fountain drink made of milk, carbonated water, and chocolate (or vanilla) syrup. Empire State The official nickname for New York State, also shorthand for its famous skyscraper. energy The palpable atmosphere, intensity, and vitality of city life. express train A subway train that skips smaller stations to make faster trips between major stops facts An emphatic statement of agreement, meaning 'that is completely true'. FDR Drive A major limited-access parkway running along the east side of Manhattan along the East River. fit An outfit or full set of clothes flea market An outdoor or indoor market selling vintage items, antiques, handmade crafts, and collectibles fly Stylish, attractive, fashionable, or well-dressed. fresh Looking brand new, clean, crisp, and stylish fronting Faking, pretending to be something one isn't, or acting tough Garden Madison Square Garden, iconic sports and concert arena above Penn Station in Manhattan gear Apparel, streetwear, or branded clothing items Giants NFL football team representing the NY metropolitan area gig A temporary job or performance work glizzy Slang for a hot dog Gotham A popular nickname for New York City. graffiti Writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or painted illicitly on a wall or other public surface. greenmarket An open-air farmers' market selling fresh produce and goods from regional growers grid The systematic street layout plan of numbered avenues and streets in Manhattan. gridlock Severe traffic congestion where vehicles block intersections and prevent any movement grimy Shady, untrustworthy, or acting in a deceitful manner grind Hard, continuous labor or daily hustle to succeed GTFO Get the fuck out; an expression of disbelief or telling someone to leave. halal cart A sidewalk food vendor serving halal-certified street food like chicken and gyro rice platters. heavy Serious, intense, or emotionally burdensome High Line An elevated linear park built on a former freight rail line on Manhattan's West Side. Holland Tunnel A vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River connecting Lower Manhattan to Jersey City, New Jersey. honking The act of drivers sounding their car horns in heavy traffic. Hudson River The major river flowing south along the west side of Manhattan, separating New York from New Jersey. humidity Excessive moisture in the air making NYC summer heat feel suffocating hustle A work activity, business venture, or energetic effort to earn money hustle and bustle Busy, noisy, and active activity characteristic of urban life. ice Expensive diamond jewelry if you can make it here The idea that succeeding in NYC proves you can succeed anywhere Jets NFL football team representing the NY metro region, wearing green and white JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport joint An establishment, place, track, or item. kicks Sneakers or shoes kid Friend or acquaintance, regardless of age Knicks NBA basketball team based at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan knish A dough pastry filled with seasoned mashed potatoes, ground meat, or sauerkraut, then baked or fried. laces Shoelaces, often swapped or styled in sneaker culture landlord The owner of a property who rents it out to tenants. lease A legal agreement detailing the rental terms for an apartment. LES Lower East Side LGA LaGuardia Airport LIC Long Island City link up To meet up or hang out with someone LIRR Long Island Rail Road local train A subway train that stops at every single station along its route loft A large, open-concept apartment, often converted from a former industrial building. lounge A relaxed bar or club venue with comfortable seating and ambient music. mad Very, extremely, or a large amount of Manhattan The central borough of NYC, often referred to as 'the City' by locals. MetroCard The classic magnetic stripe plastic card used to pay fares for the NYC subway and buses. Mets Major League Baseball team based in Queens MSG Madison Square Garden MTA Metropolitan Transportation Authority mural A large artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall, building façade, or other permanent surface. Nets NBA basketball team based at Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York minute An extremely short period of time; an instant newsstand A small street kiosk or booth selling newspapers, magazines, snacks, and lottery tickets no cap No lie, for real, completely serious no doubt Absolutely; certainly; an expression of agreement or confirmation. no lie Truthfully; without exaggeration; genuinely. NYC New York City ocky A friendly term of address for a bodega cook or worker, derived from Arabic 'ahi' (brother) ocky way Preparing bodega food in an over-the-top, customized, and fried style (popularized on social media) OMNY The contactless fare payment system used across NYC transit allowing tap-to-pay via cards or phones. outer boroughs The four NYC boroughs outside of Manhattan (Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island) pad An apartment, living space, or home. paper Cash or financial wealth path train The rapid transit rail system connecting Manhattan to northeastern New Jersey cities like Jersey City and Newark. plaza A public open urban space, often paved, surrounded by buildings or designated for community pedestrian use. pop-up A temporary retail store or experience that opens for a short time in a vacant space pregame Drinking alcohol at home or a friend's place before heading out to bars or clubs. Queens The most ethnically diverse borough of New York City, located on Long Island. racks Thousands of dollars (usually in cash stacks) Rangers NHL hockey team based at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan real talk Speaking seriously and truthfully without exaggerating or joking. rent stabilized An apartment system where rent increases are capped by city regulations. rizz Charisma, charm, or the ability to effortlessly attract a romantic partner rooftop An open-air bar or venue situated on the roof of a building, offering city views. rooftop garden A garden space created on the roof of a building for greenery, urban farming, or social lounge space. Roosevelt Island Tram An aerial tramway spanning the East River connecting Roosevelt Island to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. rush The fast-paced, high-energy movement of people or peak transit times. rush hour Peak commuting hours when trains and roads are extremely congested schlep To carry something heavy or make a long, tedious journey schmear A generous spread of cream cheese on a bagel. security deposit A sum of money held by the landlord during the lease to cover potential damages. side hustle A secondary job or business run alongside main employment siren An emergency vehicle horn or alarm heard frequently throughout the city. skatepark A purpose-built outdoor area containing ramps, rails, and bowls for skateboarding and BMX. skyline The outline of the city's skyscrapers against the sky, iconic to NYC slice A single piece of plain cheese pizza cut from a large New York-style pie. slice joint A casual, neighborhood pizzeria specializing in quick, single slices of pizza. slice of pepperoni A single slice of New York-style pizza topped with cured pork/beef pepperoni sausage. slick Smooth, clever, tricky, or sly. slush Partially melted, dirty snow combined with water on NYC streets and curbs SoHo A fashionable neighborhood in Manhattan, named for being 'South of Houston Street'. son Close friend, homie, or guy (used as an address term) speakeasy A hidden bar modeled after Prohibition-era secret drinking spots, often behind hidden doors. spiderweb A complex or chaotic situation, or cracked pattern (like glass/screen) spots Venues, locations, bars, or restaurants to hangout at. stack A bundle of money, specifically one thousand dollars stand clear of the closing doors The automated announcement warning subway passengers that train doors are closing standard Typical, expected, or basic; normal street routine/behavior Staten Island The southernmost and most suburban borough of NYC, connected to Manhattan via ferry. Staten Island Ferry A free passenger ferry service operating between Manhattan and Staten Island offering great views of the Statue of Liberty. steam vent An orange-and-white striped stack or pipe releasing utility steam from underground street pipes stoop The set of steps leading up to the entrance of a building or brownstone street meat Flavorful seasoned meat (usually chicken or lamb over rice) served from a street cart. street performer An entertainer who performs in public spaces such as subway mezzanines, parks, or sidewalks. studio An apartment consisting of a single main living space combining bedroom and living room. subway grate A metal mesh venting cover on sidewalk surfaces providing ventilation to subway tunnels super A building superintendent who manages maintenance and repairs. tag A writer's stylized personal signature or moniker spray-painted or marked on a surface. The Bronx The northernmost borough of NYC, birthplace of hip-hop and home to Yankee Stadium. The City Manhattan specifically, as distinguished from the outer boroughs. threads Clothing or garments thrift Shopping for secondhand clothes or goods, or referring to a secondhand store tight Upset, angry, or annoyed. Times Square A major commercial, entertainment, and tourist hub in Midtown Manhattan. train traffic Subway congestion caused by trains waiting for other trains ahead to clear transfer Switching from one subway line or bus route to another, usually free within the system twenty-four-seven Non-stop, continuously at all hours of the day and night. velvet rope The barrier at a club entrance symbolizing exclusive entry control and door policy. vibe The overall mood, feel, or emotional atmosphere of a place or person. vintage Authentic retro or old-school clothing items from past eras walk-up An apartment building without an elevator. Wall Street A street in Lower Manhattan synonymous with American financial markets. we out here A statement of presence, survival, or active participation in the city scene West Side Highway A major roadway running north-south along the western edge of Manhattan along the Hudson River. wilding Acting crazy, out of control, or outrageously word An expression of agreement, acknowledgment, or confirmation. word is bond An absolute promise or truth; my word is my pledge. word up An expression of agreement or affirmation; 'that's real' or 'listen up'. Yankees Major League Baseball team based in the Bronx yellow cab The iconic yellow taxicab licensed to hail passengers on NYC streets