General
ock
What does ock mean?
An address term for the man working behind a bodega counter, often of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent; can be used familiarly or dismissively.
"Ock, lemme get a loosie and a Arizona."
Origin
NYC, from Arabic 'akhi' (my brother); adopted as a term for corner-store workers in New York.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'ock' mean?
It's an address term for the man working behind a bodega counter, often of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent.
Where does 'ock' come from?
From Arabic 'akhi' (my brother), adopted in NYC as a term for corner-store workers.
Is 'ock' rude?
It can be used familiarly or dismissively depending on tone; some find it disrespectful when used carelessly toward store workers.
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