Can You Speak Like a True New Yorker? 11 Words You Need to Know

Living in New York City for any length of time changes the way you think, act, and even talk. The fast-paced, vibrant energy of the city seeps into your everyday language, and before you know it, you’re speaking in a way that is uniquely New York.

If you’ve spent enough time in the Big Apple, you’ll find yourself using words and phrases that are so ingrained in the culture, you may not even notice you’re saying them. Here are 11 words that prove you’ve lived in New York too long.

1. Bodega

When most people think of a corner store, they might call it a “convenience store” or “corner shop.” But in New York, it’s a bodega. These tiny, family-owned stores are found on nearly every block in the city and often offer a mix of essentials like milk, eggs, snacks, and household items, as well as sandwiches that have earned a place in New Yorker’s hearts. You’ll never call it anything else once you’ve been here.

2. Schlep

Originally from Yiddish, the word schlep is used in New York to describe the act of carrying something heavy or doing something that feels like a burden. Whether it’s schlepping your groceries up three flights of stairs or hauling your laundry to the laundromat, it’s a word that pops up regularly in everyday conversation.

3. Mad

In most places, mad is used to express anger. In New York, it’s used to describe something that’s extremely or impressively intense, like “That pizza is mad good!” or “That party was mad fun!” It’s a shorthand way to show enthusiasm for something you really like.

4. Brick

If you’ve ever experienced a New York winter, you’ve probably used the word brick to describe how cold it is. “It’s brick outside” is a way to warn people that the weather is especially frigid, and you’d better bundle up if you don’t want to freeze.

5. Yankee

Yankee is often used to refer to a person from the northern U.S., but in New York, it can also have a more specific connotation: someone who’s not from New York City at all. If someone refers to a tourist or newcomer as a Yankee, it’s typically in the context of teasing them about their lack of knowledge about city life.

6. Fuggedaboutit

The classic New York phrase fuggedaboutit (a slurred version of “forget about it”) conveys everything from disbelief to resignation. It can be used when you think something is too ridiculous to be true or when you’re dismissing something as unimportant. It’s a staple in any New Yorker’s vocabulary.

7. Cabbie

In New York, you don’t call them “taxi drivers”—you call them cabbies. Whether you’re hailing a yellow cab or using an app to summon one, the term cabbie is so common in New York that you forget there are other words for them elsewhere.

8. Overnight

No, it’s not the typical “overnight” referring to something happening while you sleep. In New York, overnight is often used to describe something that changes very quickly. For example, “The city overnight went from quiet to crazy” or “The price of rent went up overnight.” It’s about how fast things change in this fast-paced city.

9. Nosh

When you’re hungry, you don’t just eat — you nosh. Derived from Yiddish, this word is used to describe eating something, often a quick snack or bite. So, instead of grabbing a meal, you’re noshing on a bagel or some chips with your friends.

10. The City

If you’ve been living in New York for any length of time, you probably refer to Manhattan simply as “The City.” It’s a tacit acknowledgment that New York City, especially Manhattan, is the center of the universe in your mind. You don’t need to specify what city you’re talking about; anyone in the know will understand exactly what you mean.

11. Borough

New York City is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. If you’ve spent time in the city, you’ve likely adopted the term borough as shorthand for any of these areas. You may even proudly announce that you’re from “the boroughs,” showing your loyalty to your New York roots.

Conclusion

Whether you’ve spent a year in New York or your whole life, these words are part of the city’s unmistakable charm. From the bodega on the corner to the never-ending hustle and bustle of The City, New York’s unique language is just one of the many things that make this place feel like home. If you’ve used any of these words, congratulations—you’ve officially adopted the New York way of life!