The most comprehensive online collection of UK street, road, and grime slang - authentic definitions, real examples, and cross-linked meanings from the culture. Where slang gets shelled.
V
adjective
Angry, Upset
Signals irritation, annoyance, or full-blown anger. From Jamaican Patois “vex,” it’s common across Caribbean communities and UK grime talk, often intensified as “proper vexed” to stress real agitation.
Signals irritation, annoyance, or full-blown anger. From Jamaican Patois “vex,” it’s common across Caribbean communities and UK grime talk, often intensified as “proper vexed” to stress real agitation.
W
interjection
What’s Going On
Greeting from Jamaican Patois “wah gwan” meaning “what’s going on?”. Common in London and UK slang (“wagwan, my guy?”).
Greeting from Jamaican Patois “wah gwan” meaning “what’s going on?”. Common in London and UK slang (“wagwan, my guy?”).
noun
Foolish Person
Insult for someone moving dumb, embarrassing or wet, often when they’ve said or done something cringe. Used in UK youth and road slang to call someone an idiot in a mocking but sometimes playful way.
Insult for someone moving dumb, embarrassing or wet, often when they’ve said or done something cringe. Used in UK youth and road slang to call someone an idiot in a mocking but sometimes playful way.
noun
Gun
Weapon or firearm; UK road slang shortening of “weapon”. Also spelled “wopp” or “wappa”. Common across grime and drill lyrics.
Weapon or firearm; UK road slang shortening of “weapon”. Also spelled “wopp” or “wappa”. Common across grime and drill lyrics.
verb
Clash Or Fight
To battle or fight — in lyrics, sets, or on the streets. “To war” means to challenge or clash with someone (“you don’t wanna war with man”).
To battle or fight — in lyrics, sets, or on the streets. “To war” means to challenge or clash with someone (“you don’t wanna war with man”).
noun
Useless Person
Insult for someone foolish, broke, or without status; all talk and no action. Common UK grime and road insult, sometimes shortened to “waste”.
Insult for someone foolish, broke, or without status; all talk and no action. Common UK grime and road insult, sometimes shortened to “waste”.
adjective
Stylish Or Lit
Looking good, vibey, or full of energy; can also describe a chilled, loose state (“the party was wavy”).
Looking good, vibey, or full of energy; can also describe a chilled, loose state (“the party was wavy”).
noun
DJ Restart
A DJ restart of a tune from the top after crowd or MC hype — a hallmark of grime and sound system culture. Synonymous with reload, pull up, and rewind.
A DJ restart of a tune from the top after crowd or MC hype — a hallmark of grime and sound system culture. Synonymous with reload, pull up, and rewind.
noun
Car
Vehicle; from US hip-hop slang (steering wheel = whip). Also a verb meaning to drive (“man’s whipping round the ends”).
Vehicle; from US hip-hop slang (steering wheel = whip). Also a verb meaning to drive (“man’s whipping round the ends”).
verb
Marry, Commit
To make someone your girlfriend or partner long-term; see as “marriage material.” Common in grime and UK rap, usually about relationships or admiration (“man might wife it”). Reflects street humour around settling down, but can also be genuine praise for loyalty or attraction.
To make someone your girlfriend or partner long-term; see as “marriage material.” Common in grime and UK rap, usually about relationships or admiration (“man might wife it”). Reflects street humour around settling down, but can also be genuine praise for loyalty or attraction.
noun
Girlfriend, Partner
Affectionate term for a serious girlfriend or long-term partner, implying loyalty or domestic closeness. Popularised in 2000s grime and UK rap lyrics (“that’s my wifey”). Sometimes used humorously or possessively, contrasting with casual “tings.” Reflects the culture’s blend of bravado and affection.
Affectionate term for a serious girlfriend or long-term partner, implying loyalty or domestic closeness. Popularised in 2000s grime and UK rap lyrics (“that’s my wifey”). Sometimes used humorously or possessively, contrasting with casual “tings.” Reflects the culture’s blend of bravado and affection.
Y
noun
Home
House or place of residence; from Jamaican English “yard”. Common in grime and road slang (“link me at your yard”).
House or place of residence; from Jamaican English “yard”. Common in grime and road slang (“link me at your yard”).
noun
Jamaican Gangster
Originally Jamaican slang for a person from “yard” (home), meaning Jamaica itself. In UK contexts it came to denote members of Jamaican or Caribbean gangs, especially in 1980s–90s London. Sometimes used more loosely for anyone of Jamaican background in street culture, though its criminal connotations remain.
Originally Jamaican slang for a person from “yard” (home), meaning Jamaica itself. In UK contexts it came to denote members of Jamaican or Caribbean gangs, especially in 1980s–90s London. Sometimes used more loosely for anyone of Jamaican background in street culture, though its criminal connotations remain.
See also
Driller
noun
Girl Or Woman
Girl or woman; London slang, used either flirtatiously or dismissively depending on tone. Derived from “gyal” or possibly “young ting”.
Girl or woman; London slang, used either flirtatiously or dismissively depending on tone. Derived from “gyal” or possibly “young ting”.
noun
Girl
Variant of “yat”; slang for a girl or woman, often referring to a specific one (“that’s his yatty still”).
Variant of “yat”; slang for a girl or woman, often referring to a specific one (“that’s his yatty still”).
noun
Young Person
Child or teenager; UK and Caribbean slang shortening of “youth”. Common in grime and road talk for a younger guy or kid.
Child or teenager; UK and Caribbean slang shortening of “youth”. Common in grime and road talk for a younger guy or kid.
noun
Young People
Group of youths; plural of “yout”, from Jamaican Patois plural marker “dem”. Means the local kids or younger lot.
Group of youths; plural of “yout”, from Jamaican Patois plural marker “dem”. Means the local kids or younger lot.