Cap
Cap means a lie, a bit of fake talk, or something that’s not true. If someone’s capping, they’re chatting rubbish. No cap flips it round, like deadass, I’m being serious. Big in AAVE and hip-hop, then socials made it everyone’s favourite two syllables for calling nonsense fast, without writing a whole paragraph. You’ll hear it in the bodega line, on the train, everywhere.
Dope
Dope is a classic compliment meaning something’s seriously good, cool, or impressive, from a fit to a beat to a new apartment. It’s casual, high praise, and works for people too, like a dope DJ or a dope teacher. Just be aware it also still means drugs in other contexts, so tone and company matter.
Janna
·
United States
Just recorded
"Drip is basically your clothes but like or your appearance but it's just like very stylish you know looking good looking let's say it doesn't have to be expensive but you just look really good and stylish that's basically you having drip. An example would be damn did you see his fit today he's got mad drip"
Drip
Two meanings, two moods. As an older insult, a drip is a boring, annoying little wet blanket who sucks the life out of the room. The newer meaning is the total opposite, drip is your style, the fit, the jewellery, the whole look when it’s looking seriously sharp and pricey. Context matters or you’ll accidentally start beef.
Fam
Short for family, used to call your mates or anyone in your circle, like bro but warmer. In London it’s been a grime staple for years, and New York picked it up through rap and internet chat. Can be heartfelt or just a quick hello, depending how you say it. Basically a verbal fist-bump.
Michael
·
United States
"Fire means cool or wicked. It can be said to describe something's popularity or relevance in pop culture. For example, yo those sneakers are nice man, I also like the earrings too, they are fire."
Fire
Said when something is insanely good, impressive, or just hitting exactly right. Works for tracks, food, outfits, jokes, whatever’s going hard. It got big in hip hop and NYC street talk, then the internet ran with it, so now everyone says it, even your aunt. Still valid when you mean it.
Janna
·
United States
"No cap is my word or slang. No cap basically means like not lying. An example can be bro I pretty much just failed the exam no cap."
No cap
No cap means I’m being completely honest, no exaggeration, no made-up flex. You’ll hear it dropped at the end of a sentence to swear something’s true, or at the start like a little honesty warning. Cap by itself is a lie or a bit of fake bravado, especially in rap and online talk, so no cap is the opposite. It can be playful, like rating a bodega sandwich, or serious, like admitting you messed up. Use it when you want full credibility.
Plug
A plug is your go-to connection for getting something hard to find, most famously weed or other substances, but it can be tickets, trainers, or a quick job lead too. If you’ve got a plug, you’re not stuck googling, you’re just sending a text and waiting to be sorted. Loyal plugs get kept close.
Roadman
A roadman is the UK stereotype of a streetwise lad who’s always on road, hanging round the ends, chatting grime slang, and dressed in the usual puffer, tracksuit and man bag. Sometimes it points to someone actually involved in hustling, sometimes it’s just a kid putting it on for the vibe. Can be respectful, teasing, or both.
Wasteman
A useless fella, someone who adds zero value to the room. Could be the bloke who flakes on every plan, the ex who still texts at 3am, or that lad who turns up empty-handed to every pre-drinks. Big in London grime culture and used daily by anyone under thirty. Harsh but fair, and absolutely cutting when delivered with the right eye-roll.