70+ New York Slang Words and Phrases Every New Yorker Knows

70+ Essential New York Slang Words and Phrases

New York City has long been known as a concrete jungle buzzing with energy, culture, and diversity. One thing that unites—and sometimes humorously divides—New Yorkers is the way they talk. From unique expressions in Brooklyn to the insider lingo of Harlem, mastering local slang is essential for anyone who wants to blend in (or just understand what’s going on) in the Five Boroughs. Here’s your definitive guide to the most iconic and up-to-date New York slang words and phrases you’ll encounter in the city that never sleeps.

Table of Contents

• Foundational NYC Slang
• NYC Intensifiers
• Street and Urban Slang
• Neighborhood-Specific Slang
• Slang from Food, Institutions, and Everyday Life
• Modern NYC Slang & Emblems
• NYC Text Slang & Abbreviations
• Nicknames for New York City
• Frequently Asked Questions

Foundational NYC Slang

The backbone of New York lingo, these words and phrases will have you fitting in like a native.

• Bodega: A corner convenience store found on nearly every block. Bodegas are vital for late-night snacks and basic groceries. (“I’m heading to the bodega for an egg sandwich.”)
• Stoop: The set of steps leading to a building entrance, commonly used as a community gathering spot. (“We hung out on the stoop after school.”)
• Deadass: Used to emphasize the seriousness or truth of a statement. (“I’m deadass tired after that shift.”)
• Fuhgeddaboudit: Universal dismissal or “don’t worry about it,” with a strong New York accent. (“Fuhgeddaboudit, that pizza spot is always packed.”)
• Schlep: To carry or haul something, often with effort. (“I had to schlep six bags up three flights of stairs.”)
• Bet: Used to agree or confirm plans. (“You want to meet at 8?” “Bet.”)
• Holla: Casual greeting for hello or goodbye. (“Holla at me when you’re downtown.”)
• Wack: Describes something that’s bad, boring, or low-quality. (“That movie was wack.”)
• Dope: Used to describe something excellent or cool. (“That rooftop party was dope!”)
• Pie: Whole pizza (never called “pizza pie” by locals). (“Let’s get a pie from Joe’s.”)

NYC Intensifiers

New Yorkers love to exaggerate for effect—these intensifiers are city staples.

• Mad: Means “very” or “a lot.” (“That place is mad expensive.”)
• Dumb: Used the same way as “mad,” to intensify what follows. (“It’s dumb cold out.”)
• OD: Overdoing, or “overdose”—used for emphasis. (“He’s OD annoying.”)
• Hella: Adopted from the West Coast, but in use in NYC to mean “really” or “a lot.” (“It’s hella crowded on the A train.”)

Street and Urban Slang

This language pervades the music, art, and daily hustle of the city’s neighborhoods.

• Brick: Describes extreme cold; “It’s brick outside” means it’s freezing.
• Bop: A song with a great beat, or just a good time. (“This is a bop!”)
• Wylin’ (Wildin’): Acting wild, irrational, or unpredictable. (“He was wylin’ at the game last night.”)
• Borough: Each of NYC‘s main administrative regions, e.g., “Which borough you from?”
• Grimy: Selfish, questionable, or shady behavior. (“That’s grimy, he didn’t pay the bill.”)
• Aggy: Short for “aggravated” or “agitated.” (“Stop being so aggy.”)
• Spaz: Getting extremely angry or agitated. (“My cab got stuck—I totally spazzed.”)
• Trippin’: Overreacting or acting out of line. (“He’s trippin’ for no reason.”)
• Frontin’: Pretending; not being real. (“Don’t be frontin’ about money.”)
• Bodega Cat: The (unofficial) feline guardian living in many bodegas. (“That bodega has the friendliest bodega cat.”)
• Brolic: Exceptionally muscular or strong. (“That guy got mad brolic after the gym.”)
• Son: Casual term for “dude,” “bro,” or “friend.” (“What’s up, son?”)
• Swag: Style or confidence. (“She’s got mad swag.”)
• Wavy: Cool, fashionable, or impressive. (“That party was wavy.”)
• Dig: To understand or appreciate. (“You dig what I’m saying?”)

Neighborhood-Specific Slang

Each neighborhood in NYC brings its own distinct flavor to the city’s language.

Brooklyn Slang

Harlem Slang

Queens Slang

Queens, another of NYC’s most vibrant boroughs, is known for phrases like “mad work” (very busy or difficult), “on the ave” (hanging out on the main avenue), and “OD” for intensifying anything (“that’s OD funny”).

Slang from Food, Institutions, and Everyday Life

• Slice: A single piece of pizza (the city’s favorite food). (“Can I get a slice?”)
• Whip: A flashy or expensive car. (“Check out my new whip.”)
• Schlep: Carry or haul something, often with difficulty. (“I had to schlep all the way to Queens with groceries.”)
• Stoop: The stairs at a rowhouse or brownstone, social spot for many New Yorkers.
• Lox: Cured salmon, famously eaten on bagels in NYC.
• Hero: Local term for a long sandwich (sub or hoagie elsewhere). (“Can I get an Italian hero?”)
• Chopped cheese: A bodega classic — ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomato in a hero roll.

Modern NYC Slang & Emblems

• Bop: A great song; anything that gets you moving.
• Fire: Something exceptional or really cool. (“Those sneakers are fire!”)
• Flex: To show off or brag. (“He’s always flexing his new kicks.”)
• Cap/No Cap: “Cap” for lying; “no cap” for being honest. (“I’m not capping, this is legit.”)
• Yerrr/Yurrr: A popular call or greeting, drawn out and loud. (“Yerrr! What’s good?”)
• OD: To exaggerate or do something to the extreme. (“She OD’d on coffee before her exam.”)
• Jawn: Used for anything—a person, place, or thing. (“Pass me that jawn.”)

NYC Text Slang & Abbreviations

New Yorkers keep it fast-paced even in their texting, condensing phrases into quick abbreviations:

Nicknames for New York City

• The Big Apple: The most famous nickname for New York City.
• Gotham or Gotham City: Used affectionately or in reference to the city’s legendary energy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the five boroughs of New York City?

A: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

Q: What’s the difference between a ‘slice’ and a ‘pie’?

A: A “slice” is a single piece of pizza; a “pie” is the entire pizza.

Q: What does “deadass” mean?

A: It means “seriously” or “for real,” used for emphasis.

Q: Why are bodegas so important in NYC?

A: Bodegas are local community stores that operate almost 24/7, offering everything from food to household essentials—and often housing the iconic bodega cat.

Q: Is there a New York accent I should know?

A: Yes. The classic New York accent drops r’s (“cawfee” instead of “coffee”) and features unique pronunciation and rhythm, reflecting centuries of immigration and city life.

Q: Can you use “mad” and “dumb” in the same sentence?

A: Absolutely! “It’s mad dumb cold today.”

Q: What’s a chopped cheese?

A: A beloved bodega sandwich: ground beef, melted cheese, lettuce and tomato on a hero roll—often considered NYC’s answer to the Philly cheesesteak.

Mastering New York Slang: Why It Matters

Learning New York slang gives you insight into more than just vocabulary—it’s a window into the city’s culture, humor, and sense of community. It helps you navigate daily life, connect with locals, and come across as someone “in the know.” But remember, slang evolves rapidly—today’s “bop” might become tomorrow’s “wack.” Stay open, listen, and keep up with new trends to master the ever-changing language of NYC.

Quick Reference: NYC Slang Table

Soon, the phrases you pick up here will be second nature—and you’ll be talking like a true New Yorker.

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Medha DebCommerce Editor

 

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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