1. Shady (adj.) to be somewhat unsure, illegitimate or untrustworthy. When John didn’t come home all night his wife knew something shady was going on.
This slang words was used while listening to a couple argue about their where abouts on a weekend night. I would think this phrase is used most by younger people of all economic backgrounds, mostly native English speakers.
2. Burn (v.) The action of smoking a substance which has been rolled into a paper. Steve said, “When your done with that homework lets burn.”
The setting is at a friends while several people were sitting around, it is mostly used by a younger crowd of middle to lower socio-economic status, used by multiple ethnicities and races. Usually used from peer to peer in small groups or gatherings.
3. Kick It (v.) To hang out. Hey, what you doing tonight? You wanna kick it?
This was used while on the phone. I received a phone call and while talking to a buddy he asked what my immediate plans were, then if I wanna kick it? This phrase is used most often between friends or people that spend time together. I have previously heard this from Caucasian, Hispanic and African-American individuals and would have to guess that its usually used by middle to lower socio-economic cohort because of its informality.
4. Word (adverb) To agree with a said statement. “I like green the best we should get that one.”…”word”
Used to agree with what someone has just previously said. The audience was a small group of people arguing over what to eat. One person made a suggestion and another agreed with them by simply answering, “word” and so the decision was made. This slang term was originated by African-Americans then borrowed by other ethnicities, used by teens and young adults not so much professionals or grown folks.
5. My Bad (adverb) To acknowledge ones own fault of an action or comment. After tripping her friend on accident she apologized by saying, “my bad.”
This was used while watching TV, my roommate changed the channel and when I made a sound of disapproval he replied, “my bad, were you watching that?” This slang term is used by a fairly wide array of people, to excuse themselves from doing something either impolite or incorrect. The setting can be public or private and can be said to someone familiar or a stranger and still be easily understandable I imagine it is also used by many races and socio-economic classes.
6. Do-A-Lap (v.) To make your way around a bar to get a general feeling for the place and to see who’s there. What you want to drink I’m going to do a lap and grab something.
This phrase was used when entering a bar, to the audience of whoever he is entering with. Usually meaning either two people breaking off or one person going solo. The age group would be anyone able to go to a bar, usually single people looking for a potential suitor. I have primarily heard this from 21-30 year old white or African-American individuals of all status.
7. Faded (adj.) To be intoxicated, from one or more than one substance. I planned on driving home but after that last drink I’m way too faded.
The setting was a house party towards the end of the night when people were leaving, the audience, anyone listening to a drunk person babble. This term is used by younger people who participate in this type of behavior, usually high school to college aged kids of all classes and ethnicities.
8. Dope (adj.) Used to show approval, describe something crazy, unbelievable or unordinary. I love this song, the whole cd is dope, can I borrow it?
This was used by a male to describe someone’s new shoes when entering a house. Usually used as a complement towards a person’s possessions or actions and usually used by a male. The term is used by high school to college aged people and I believe it to be used most by African American, Hispanic and Caucasian males of middle to lower economic status.
9. Beat It (v.) A direction or request to someone to leave the general area. When Tom showed up at the party after Susie told him he couldn’t come she told him to beat it.
I heard this phrase at a friends, after making a mess of their kitchen and leaving the last time I was there, when I returned he told me to beat it. Used between friends or disgruntled individuals, I have not heard this phrase other than in my personal experiences.
10. Muffin (n.) Used to describe women in the plural from. What happened? All the muffin disappeared.
Used by a male at a restaurant while talking to other males at table, not generally used towards women, usually used between males talking about women. Probably used most by adolescent and young adults.
11. Pint (n.) draft beer poured into a glass that holds a pint. I’m done with work lets go get a pint.
Used to describe a beer in general. I heard it used while playing basketball with friends, one suggested getting a pint after the game, the audience was me and other friends. This term comes from Europe where they refer to draft beer as a pint, and is used by younger and older people.
12. Case (n.) a case of beer, any size. Hey, go to the store and grab a case for the game.
While sitting at home my roommate asked me to get a case before the Suns game started. This term is used by many people of all ages and places although I’ve only heard it used by males I have heard multiple ethnicities and socio-economic cohorts use the term.
13. Scrilla (n.) money. I’m not getting you any food until I get some scrilla.
This term was used when ordering food with multiple people. The audience was 4 or 5 friends. When discussing what to get and how much someone mentioned something but was shot down until they came up with their share of the bill. Used mostly by younger people of middle to lower economic status, used and formulated mostly by African American males.
14. Front (v.) to lend money or something else to someone with agreement of being paid back in the near future. I don’t have enough money for my airplane ticket, can you front me?
I heard this in a discussion between friends trying to plan a trip to Las Vegas. I told them I couldn’t afford to go at the present time and someone replied that they would front me the money for the trip. This term is fairly universal to all ages and groups since it basically means to lend or borrow.
15. Hit-me-up (v.) to call or text message someone. Hit me up if you go to the show.
I heard this term on the phone speaking to someone attempting to make plans. Used between friends or acquaintances to let them know to keep them updated about the potential plans being made. I don’t believe there is a specific region or ethnicity that uses this specifically but more probably the younger age group defines this term.
16. Worked (v.) to be completely outmatched or performed. I can’t believe you got worked by that little girl, she’s like 12.
Used at a table between peers when someone was bumped out of a poker game on the first hand, someone claimed they got worked. Used in competition usually as an insult to the competition or to give someone a hard time.
17. Throw-down (v.) to contribute equal amount to something collective. Its going to be $20 each for the keg, did you throw-down?
Used to get a consensus of who has and who has not contributed to a group activity. Usually one person talking to multiple people, friends or someone you feel comfortable asking or demanding from. Probably used by younger people and those of middle to lower socio-economic status that are pooling resources.
18. Pee-on (n.) an individual or position that has no authority or status. You don’t have to listen to that pee-on he can’t do anything.
I heard this at work when an employee attempted to tell a manager what to do. This could be used by any age and race or ethnicity and could be heard in the professional world or at home. Primarily used by higher socio-economic status to insult or attack someone of less status.
19. “J” (v.) jump shot, act of shooting basketball in a game. Have you seen him play? He has a great J.
I heard this term while playing basketball on campus, it was used in a statement describing someone else’s shot. Used by people who play basketball of all ages and races. Usually used a complement.
20. Later (pronoun) term used to say goodbye. Tommy said he was leaving so I responded, “later.”
I heard this on campus walking between classes as two friends parted ways. Usually used by Caucasian male and female, between friends, no romantic correlation. Not used by older people generally high school to college age.
