Local language topic

Sensitive or insulting

Compare 12 regional entries that share this classification while keeping each local definition attached to its place.

New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Bridge-and-tunnel

/BRIJ-and-TUN-ul/

A class-coded and often dismissive New York label for people traveling into Manhattan from outer boroughs, New Jersey, Long Island, or surrounding suburbs.

““Calling everyone from outside Manhattan bridge-and-tunnel sounded needlessly snobbish.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Bugging

/BUG-ing/

Acting irrationally, overreacting, misunderstanding, or saying something unreasonable.

““You’re bugging if you think I’m taking three trains for that.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Frontin’

/FRUN-tin/

Pretending, exaggerating, acting tougher or more successful than reality, or presenting an image the speaker believes is false.

““Stop frontin’—you know you liked the song.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Grill

/GRIL/

To question someone intensely, scrutinize them, or stare at them in a challenging way.

““Why are you grilling me? I already answered.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Native New Yorker

/NAY-tiv noo YOR-ker/

A person born in New York City or, in some uses, someone born and raised in the city or state of New York.

““He is a native New Yorker who grew up in the Bronx.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Nuyorican

/noo-YOR-ih-kun/

A term for Puerto Rican identity and culture shaped in New York, especially through migration, community life, literature, music, performance, and political expression.

““The course focused on Nuyorican poetry and performance.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

OD

/oh-DEE/

Excessive, extremely, or doing too much; the exact grammar changes with the sentence.

““Twenty dollars for that small plate is OD.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Schmuck

/SHMUCK/

An insulting slang term for a foolish, unlikeable, inconsiderate, or contemptible person.

““Only a schmuck would block the doorway during rush hour.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Shorty

/SHOR-tee/

A familiar term for a girl or woman, sometimes a romantic interest; in other contexts it can address a younger person or close peer.

““Shorty said she’ll meet us by the station.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

The Ocky way

/thuh AH-kee way/

A viral request for an unusually elaborate, customized bodega or deli preparation associated with social-video sandwich content.

““Can you make the sandwich the Ocky way for the video?””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Tight

/TYTE/

Upset, annoyed, or bothered; elsewhere it can also mean close, secure, or excellent.

““He was tight they closed the doors early.””
New Yorknewyork.localmean.com

Transplant

/TRANS-plant/

A person who moved to New York from another city, state, or country rather than growing up locally.

““She’s a transplant who has lived in Queens for twelve years.””