Street
shorty
What does shorty mean?
In Chicago drill, a younger member of the crew — typically under 18, sometimes way younger. The shorties catch the cases the older heads can't, hold the work, do the dirt. Different from the mainstream 'shorty = girl' meaning; in this scene it's about age and rank.
"Sent the shorties round there since they can't catch real time."
Origin
Long-standing African American English term; gang-rank sense became prominent in 2010s Chicago drill.
Frequently asked questions
What does shorty mean in gang slang?
In gang slang, a shorty is a younger gang member, usually under 18.
How do you use shorty in a sentence?
"They sent one of the shorties to run the package."
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