Local language topic

Plans & social life

Compare 24 regional entries that share this classification while keeping each local definition attached to its place.

New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

A minute

/uh MIN-it/

A noticeably long or indefinite amount of time, especially in phrases such as it’s been a minute.

““I haven’t been back to that block in a minute.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Bet

/BET/

Okay, agreed, understood, or challenge accepted.

““Meet at eight.” “Bet.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

BK

/bee-KAY/

A common informal abbreviation for Brooklyn, used in conversation, business names, music, event listings, clothing, and online location labels.

““The show moved from Manhattan to a venue in BK.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Block party

/BLOK PAR-tee/

A neighborhood event held on a temporarily closed street, commonly featuring food, music, games, tables, family activities, and local organizations.

““The whole block came outside for the annual block party.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Cannoli

/kuh-NOH-lee/

Crisp tube-shaped fried pastry shells filled most commonly with sweetened ricotta-based cream.

““We picked up six cannoli from the Italian bakery.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Chicken over rice

/CHIK-en over RICE/

A halal-cart platter of seasoned chicken served over rice, commonly with salad and a choice of sauces.

““Chicken over rice, white sauce and a little hot sauce.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Citi Bike

/SIT-ee BIKE/

New York City’s large bike-share system, whose bicycles and e-bikes can be checked out from stations or designated parking locations.

““I’ll take a Citi Bike across town and meet you there.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Cop

/KOP/

To get, obtain, or buy something, as in copping tickets, food, clothing, or another wanted item.

““I’m trying to cop tickets before they sell out.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Dub

/DUB/

A rejection, refusal, failed plan, or person or situation being dismissed; as a verb, to ignore, turn down, or reject.

““Three transfers in the rain? That trip is a dub.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Italian ice

/ih-TAL-yun EYES/

A smooth frozen dessert made mainly from water, sugar, and fruit flavoring, commonly sold from neighborhood shops, carts, pizzerias, and seasonal stands.

““We got lemon Italian ice after the slice.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

LES

/el-ee-ESS/

The standard local initialism for Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood, pronounced as separate letters.

““We’re meeting in the LES near Delancey Street.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Manhattanhenge

/man-HAT-un-henj/

A twice-yearly visual effect in which the setting sun aligns closely with Manhattan’s east-west street grid and appears framed by buildings.

““Crowds gathered on 42nd Street for Manhattanhenge.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

NYC Ferry

/EN-WYE-SEE FAIR-ee/

The city-sponsored passenger ferry network connecting waterfront landings in several New York City boroughs.

““We’re taking NYC Ferry from Astoria to Wall Street.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Pop out

/POP out/

To show up, make an appearance, or come outside for an event, gathering, confrontation, or social moment.

““I might pop out after work if the spot is still busy.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Rainbow cookie

/RAYN-boh KOOK-ee/

A small layered Italian-American almond cake confection, usually colored red, white or yellow, and green, joined with jam and coated in chocolate.

““Add a half pound of rainbow cookies to the bakery box.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Roosevelt Island Tram

/ROH-zuh-velt EYE-lund TRAM/

The aerial tramway connecting Roosevelt Island with Manhattan near East 59th Street and Second Avenue.

““We took the Roosevelt Island Tram over the East River.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Say less

/SAY less/

I understand; no further explanation is needed; consider it handled.

““They have extra tickets at the door.” “Say less.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Showtime

/SHOH-tyme/

A call used by some subway performers to announce an acrobatic dance routine inside a train car, especially routines involving poles, flips, and coordinated movement.

““The performers called ‘Showtime’ before clearing space in the subway car.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Stoop sale

/STOOP SAYL/

A small secondhand sale arranged on a building’s front steps, sidewalk edge, courtyard entrance, or immediately outside a city residence.

““We found two chairs at a stoop sale in Brooklyn.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

The City That Never Sleeps

/thuh SIT-ee that NEV-er SLEEPS/

A famous nickname presenting New York City as active around the clock, with nightlife, transportation, work, food, and entertainment continuing late into the night.

““They wanted one last late-night meal in the City That Never Sleeps.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

The Rockaways

/thuh ROK-uh-wayz/

The communities on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, often discussed collectively in relation to beaches, neighborhoods, transit, and coastal life.

““They took the train to the Rockaways for the afternoon.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Valid

/VAL-id/

Good, acceptable, impressive, legitimate, or worth approving.

““That late-night dumpling spot is valid.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

We out

/we OUT/

We are leaving, we are finished here, or the group is moving on to the next place.

““The last train is coming—come on, we out.””
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New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Zeppole

/ZEP-oh-lay/

Italian fried dough pastries, commonly served warm and dusted heavily with powdered sugar.

““We grabbed a bag of zeppole at the street fair.””
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