General
badman
What does badman mean?
A tough, dangerous or feared man; a gangster. In dancehall it can be a boast of one's own toughness.
"Real badman nuh chat, dem just move."
Origin
Jamaican Patois: 'bad' + 'man'; note 'bad' often means good/tough.
Frequently asked questions
What does badman mean?
A badman is a tough, dangerous or feared man, a gangster; in dancehall it is often a boast of one's own toughness.
Does badman mean a bad person?
Not in the ordinary sense; in Patois 'bad' often means tough or impressive, so a badman is respected and feared rather than simply evil.
How is badman used in dancehall?
Artists use it to project a hard, fearless image, as in 'real badman nuh chat, dem just move'.
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