Alright, alright, alright.
A few months back, we brought you 33 slang terms every New Yorker should know.
Now, we're back with this: 10 phrases every real New Yorker should know and use. We're not claiming we invented these terms, or even that every New Yorker uses them.
But we promise that if you adopt these basic New Yorker phrases and vocabulary, you will find your New York City experience that much more agreeable.
1. "Excuse me"
A little courtesy can go a long way in this city.
When you inevitably find yourself stuck behind a shoulder-to-shoulder lineup of Europeans sauntering their way down the street as if they weren't needlessly congesting our fair city, or 27 students and 3 chaperones wearing the same ugly tee trying to stick together in the subway on a field trip, try, "Excuse me."
If the first try doesn't get you anywhere, you may need to raise your voice.
This is OK.
You'll probably draw odd looks from whomever happens to be in the way, but who cares? Point is, they're not going to be in the way much longer. Either they move or you give up and plow through them. Either way, nobody can say you didn't at least try to be polite.
2. "Yo"
While this word has many meanings and usages, it is most commonly used as a greeting, as in "Yo my dude,' or 'Yo what's good?"
But it can also be repurposed based on inflection more easily than most any other word in the NYC vernacular. Say it really slowly, and "Yo" can mean, "Oh hey baby, you wanna get out of here?"
It can also mean "Yes" or "No." If someone's like, "Yo, you seen Antman?" You can respond elatedly like "Yooooo!" And they probably got you.
3. "Booty-ass"
The combination of "booty" and "ass" results in a paradox. You might think it'd be a good thing, but no - "booty-ass" is a substitute for adjectives like "terrible' or 'knock-off."
Basically, whatever it's describing is understood to be of the lowest quality. You might hear it used like, "I'm tired of these booty-ass Spaghettios, we need to get the real ones next time."
4. "Naww"
This is a synonym for "No" and interchangeable with "Nah."
Using "Naww" is usually reserved for an especially emphatic "No" like, if someone asks if you did something gross, "Naww" is fully warranted.
The longer you draw it out, the more you disapprove of what's being asked.
5. "Peace"
Whereas "yo" is mostly used as a greeting, "Peace" is mostly used as a goodbye around NYC.
Though depending on the situation, it could be something a bit different.
We're not talking about using it at a protest or in church; that's a different story.
To fully get it, Method Man can help.
,6. "You're fine"
You'll hear this one a lot on the subway, but it applies to many situations.
When someone accidentally bumps into you, or their soaking umbrella gets you a little wet and they apologize, "You're fine" is a good response.
It conveys that you'd rather not be bothered, and that you recognize the incident as non-intentional; that it's all part of the hustle. If you say it with a smile, then it's more friendly. But isn't everything?
7. "Bodega"
In NYC, there are lots of words for convenience stores. We like many, call them delis, corner stores, etc. "Bodegas" are the NYC-homegrown corner stores.
They have a distinct smell usually, not necessarily bad, just distinct. There's often booty-ass items within.
Don't know if you're actually in a bodega? Figure it out.
8. "Boss"
This is what you may call someone who's not actually your boss.
Despite that, it's still a bit complimentary and fully acceptable with the bodega clerk, MTA attendant, or waiter. It's not meant to be patronizing, so don't use it that way.
9. "Boom-bap"
This term was popularized by the Bronx hip-hop trailblazer KRS-One, (you know, "Boom, bap / original rap") and has come to describe authentic, educational, and dope hip-hop and rap.
10. "Bogey"
In NYC lots of people call cigarettes "bogies."
But it's more than that. More specifically, you could also hear "short" or "ace."
These last two refer to the second half of a cigarette, or at the very least, the very end of it. Someone might say, "Can I get an ace off that bogey?"
Check out 33 NYC Slang Words Every New Yorker Should Know & Learn.
[Feature Image Courtesy: The New York Times]