The most comprehensive online collection of UK street, road, and grime slang - authentic definitions, real examples, and cross-linked meanings from the culture. The only dictionary that shells itself.
R
noun
Stacks Of Money
Large amounts of cash; from US slang but fully naturalised in UK grime and road talk (“man’s got racks on him”).
Large amounts of cash; from US slang but fully naturalised in UK grime and road talk (“man’s got racks on him”).
phrase
And So On, etc.
A conversational filler used when skipping over details or ending a vague story — similar to “etcetera” or “blah blah blah.” Common in London and wider UK slang, especially in grime or roadman speech. Often used mid-sentence to imply “you know how it goes” without repeating minor points. The sound mimics loose, rhythmic talk characteristic of London street storytelling.
A conversational filler used when skipping over details or ending a vague story — similar to “etcetera” or “blah blah blah.” Common in London and wider UK slang, especially in grime or roadman speech. Often used mid-sentence to imply “you know how it goes” without repeating minor points. The sound mimics loose, rhythmic talk characteristic of London street storytelling.
noun
DJ Restart
When a DJ restarts a tune from the beginning after crowd hype or a big lyric. Synonymous with “wheel up”, “pull up”, and “rewind”.
When a DJ restarts a tune from the beginning after crowd hype or a big lyric. Synonymous with “wheel up”, “pull up”, and “rewind”.
noun
DJ Restart
The act of the DJ restarting a tune from the top after crowd reaction. Part of the same family as reload, pull up, and wheel up.
The act of the DJ restarting a tune from the top after crowd reaction. Part of the same family as reload, pull up, and wheel up.
noun
Instrumental Beat
From Jamaican Patois “riddim” (rhythm); the instrumental backing of a track. In grime it means the beat or rhythm to vocal over.
From Jamaican Patois “riddim” (rhythm); the instrumental backing of a track. In grime it means the beat or rhythm to vocal over.
See also
Banger
noun
Street Life
Life on the streets — hustling, socialising, or being active outside. “On road” means out and about, often in contrast to staying in or inactive.
Life on the streets — hustling, socialising, or being active outside. “On road” means out and about, often in contrast to staying in or inactive.
noun
Street Youth
Young man rooted in road culture — tracksuits, slang, and active street life. Used both descriptively and humorously (“real roadman”).
Young man rooted in road culture — tracksuits, slang, and active street life. Used both descriptively and humorously (“real roadman”).
S
adjective
Cool Or Trustworthy
As adjective: sound, good, or reliable. As interjection: expression of respect or thanks (“safe, fam”). Core UK slang across grime and road talk.
As adjective: sound, good, or reliable. As interjection: expression of respect or thanks (“safe, fam”). Core UK slang across grime and road talk.
noun
Style Or Charisma
Natural flair or distinctive presence that makes someone stand out — personal magnetism or drip (“she’s got sauce”).
Natural flair or distinctive presence that makes someone stand out — personal magnetism or drip (“she’s got sauce”).
phrase
Unhinged
Slightly mad or not thinking straight; acting erratic or unstable (“bro’s got a screw loose”).
Slightly mad or not thinking straight; acting erratic or unstable (“bro’s got a screw loose”).
See also
Barking
verb
Diss Or Challenge
To lyrically call out or challenge another MC, usually in a clash. Short for “send for”; central to grime’s clash culture.
To lyrically call out or challenge another MC, usually in a clash. Short for “send for”; central to grime’s clash culture.
noun
Knife
Blade or improvised stabbing weapon. Common in UK street and prison slang. As a verb, “to shank” means to stab.
Blade or improvised stabbing weapon. Common in UK street and prison slang. As a verb, “to shank” means to stab.
verb
Perform Powerfully
To deliver high energy or dominate a set; perform exceptionally well. From grime slang meaning to go off or smash a performance (“shelling down the place”).
To deliver high energy or dominate a set; perform exceptionally well. From grime slang meaning to go off or smash a performance (“shelling down the place”).
noun
Powerful Performer
An artist who shells sets — known for high energy and strong delivery. Sometimes called “Shelley”.
An artist who shells sets — known for high energy and strong delivery. Sometimes called “Shelley”.
adjective
Scared
Nervous, intimidated, or frightened. Common grime and road slang used to mock someone lacking confidence (“man’s moving shook”).
Nervous, intimidated, or frightened. Common grime and road slang used to mock someone lacking confidence (“man’s moving shook”).
See also
Prang
noun
Drug Dealer
Someone who sells drugs at street level. Often contrasted with a plug (supplier) or runner (courier).
Someone who sells drugs at street level. Often contrasted with a plug (supplier) or runner (courier).
verb
Sell Drugs
To deal or sell drugs, usually hand-to-hand at street level. From UK slang “to shot”. Often seen as “shottin’”.
To deal or sell drugs, usually hand-to-hand at street level. From UK slang “to shot”. Often seen as “shottin’”.
noun
Shotgun
Short form of shotgun; also called “dotty”. Common in grime, road, and drill slang.
Short form of shotgun; also called “dotty”. Common in grime, road, and drill slang.
adjective
Excellent
Very good, impressive, or cool. Positive UK slang used widely across grime and youth culture (“that tune is sick”).
Very good, impressive, or cool. Positive UK slang used widely across grime and youth culture (“that tune is sick”).
noun
Side Partner
A girl or partner someone sees alongside another relationship; slang for a mistress or secondary romantic interest. Common in UK street and grime slang.
A girl or partner someone sees alongside another relationship; slang for a mistress or secondary romantic interest. Common in UK street and grime slang.
adjective
Highly Skilled
Extremely good or effortlessly talented. “Silly with it” means performing so well it looks ridiculous (in a good way). Common praise in grime and rap.
Extremely good or effortlessly talented. “Silly with it” means performing so well it looks ridiculous (in a good way). Common praise in grime and rap.
noun
Rap Verse
Sixteen bars — the standard length of a rap or grime verse. Often used as shorthand for a verse (“drop a quick sixteen”).
Sixteen bars — the standard length of a rap or grime verse. Often used as shorthand for a verse (“drop a quick sixteen”).
See also
Bars
noun
Gun
Firearm or weapon; central UK road and grime slang. Also used for aggression or danger (“skeng talk”, “skengman”).
Firearm or weapon; central UK road and grime slang. Also used for aggression or danger (“skeng talk”, “skengman”).
noun
Promiscuous Woman
Derogatory insult for a woman perceived as sexually indiscriminate or unfaithful. Comes from Jamaican Patois and has long-standing usage in UK Caribbean and grime culture. Widely recognised but considered offensive and sexist; typically appears in lyrics or heated arguments rather than casual talk.
Derogatory insult for a woman perceived as sexually indiscriminate or unfaithful. Comes from Jamaican Patois and has long-standing usage in UK Caribbean and grime culture. Widely recognised but considered offensive and sexist; typically appears in lyrics or heated arguments rather than casual talk.
verb
Defeat, Destroy
A decisive, often humiliating victory over an opponent, especially in a clash or battle. Common across grime, drill, and rap, with roots in Caribbean and London street talk. To “slew a man” is to outperform them so clearly that the contest feels over.
A decisive, often humiliating victory over an opponent, especially in a clash or battle. Common across grime, drill, and rap, with roots in Caribbean and London street talk. To “slew a man” is to outperform them so clearly that the contest feels over.
verb
Travel Or Leave
To move around, drive, or leave quickly; also to pull up on someone (“slide out”, “slide to Manny”). Common in road slang.
To move around, drive, or leave quickly; also to pull up on someone (“slide out”, “slide to Manny”). Common in road slang.
verb
Defeat Or Kill
To destroy, kill, or completely out-perform someone, physically or lyrically (“smoked the paigon in the clash”).
To destroy, kill, or completely out-perform someone, physically or lyrically (“smoked the paigon in the clash”).
noun
Betrayer
Untrustworthy person; someone deceitful or disloyal. Common insult in grime and road slang (“watch out for snakes”).
Untrustworthy person; someone deceitful or disloyal. Common insult in grime and road slang (“watch out for snakes”).
adjective
Deceitful
Acting untrustworthy or two-faced; behaving like a snake. Often used with “move” (“move snakey”).
Acting untrustworthy or two-faced; behaving like a snake. Often used with “move” (“move snakey”).
noun
Opponent, Rival
Term from Jamaican sound system culture referring to a DJ or selector from a competing crew. Adopted into grime and dancehall-influenced UK rap as a label for an opponent or someone to lyrically defeat. Carries connotations of clashing, competition, and musical warfare.
Term from Jamaican sound system culture referring to a DJ or selector from a competing crew. Adopted into grime and dancehall-influenced UK rap as a label for an opponent or someone to lyrically defeat. Carries connotations of clashing, competition, and musical warfare.
verb
Outperform
To defeat or out-perform someone decisively, especially in a clash or battle (“spun the opp in two rounds”).
To defeat or out-perform someone decisively, especially in a clash or battle (“spun the opp in two rounds”).
noun
Revolver, Handgun
Word for a revolver or handgun, especially in UK rap and road talk. Emphasises the weapon’s rotating chamber and is often used in drill and street contexts to sound more coded when talking about guns.
Word for a revolver or handgun, especially in UK rap and road talk. Emphasises the weapon’s rotating chamber and is often used in drill and street contexts to sound more coded when talking about guns.
noun
Crew Or Team
Group of close friends or artists; collective you roll with. Members can be called “squaddies”. Common in grime and rap culture.
Group of close friends or artists; collective you roll with. Members can be called “squaddies”. Common in grime and rap culture.
noun
Gun
Firearm or weapon; metonymic for “cold metal”. Common in grime and road slang (“roll with steel for the ops”).
Firearm or weapon; metonymic for “cold metal”. Common in grime and road slang (“roll with steel for the ops”).
noun
Gun
Firearm or weapon. UK road slang, likely from the long barrel shape or US influence. Can extend to mean any weapon in context.
Firearm or weapon. UK road slang, likely from the long barrel shape or US influence. Can extend to mean any weapon in context.
noun
Gun
Firearm; very common term in grime, road, and drill slang (“rolling with a strap”).
Firearm; very common term in grime, road, and drill slang (“rolling with a strap”).
noun
Style Or Confidence
Stylish self-presentation or attitude; how someone carries themselves. Borrowed from US hip-hop, common in grime and fashion talk (“mad swag”).
Stylish self-presentation or attitude; how someone carries themselves. Borrowed from US hip-hop, common in grime and fashion talk (“mad swag”).
phrase
Tell the Truth
Used to stress that what someone’s saying is true or not exaggerated. Common in grime and road talk, it carries a tone of emphasis or disbelief, either to convince someone, (similar to “I promise!”), or to react when you’re shocked at what you’ve heard, (similar to “do you promise?”).
Used to stress that what someone’s saying is true or not exaggerated. Common in grime and road talk, it carries a tone of emphasis or disbelief, either to convince someone, (similar to “I promise!”), or to react when you’re shocked at what you’ve heard, (similar to “do you promise?”).
noun
Soft Guy
A naive or image-conscious man, often popular with women but lacking street toughness or edge (“sweet boy behaviour”).
A naive or image-conscious man, often popular with women but lacking street toughness or edge (“sweet boy behaviour”).
T
verb
Steal
To steal or take something; from Jamaican Patois “teef” meaning thief. Can also appear as the noun form (“a teef”).
To steal or take something; from Jamaican Patois “teef” meaning thief. Can also appear as the noun form (“a teef”).
noun
Prison Block
Section or unit of a prison. “On the wing” means serving time inside (“writing man from the wing”).
Section or unit of a prison. “On the wing” means serving time inside (“writing man from the wing”).
adjective
Curvy
Full-bodied or voluptuous, usually used positively to describe women (“thick ting”).
Full-bodied or voluptuous, usually used positively to describe women (“thick ting”).
noun
Girl Or Thing
UK slang from Jamaican Patois “thing”. Means (1) girl or woman (“peng ting”), or (2) general object or item (“grab that ting”). Used widely across grime and London speech.
UK slang from Jamaican Patois “thing”. Means (1) girl or woman (“peng ting”), or (2) general object or item (“grab that ting”). Used widely across grime and London speech.
noun
Weapon
Weapon, usually a gun but can refer to any serious weapon (“got the tool in the bag”). Common in road and drill slang.
Weapon, usually a gun but can refer to any serious weapon (“got the tool in the bag”). Common in road and drill slang.
phrase
For Real
Affirmation meaning “indeed”, “honestly”, or “for real”; used to co-sign or agree with a statement (“true say, man’s been grafting”).
Affirmation meaning “indeed”, “honestly”, or “for real”; used to co-sign or agree with a statement (“true say, man’s been grafting”).
interjection
Trust Me
Shortening of “trust (me)”; means “believe it” or “for real”. Common emphasis or reassurance in road and grime slang (“link me later, truss”).
Shortening of “trust (me)”; means “believe it” or “for real”. Common emphasis or reassurance in road and grime slang (“link me later, truss”).