General
yardie
What does yardie mean?
A Jamaican, especially one from 'yard' (Jamaica); in British usage it can specifically mean a member of a Jamaican criminal gang.
"Him a true yardie, born an' grow a Kingston."
Origin
Jamaican Patois, from 'yard' (home/Jamaica) + '-ie'.
Frequently asked questions
What does yardie mean?
A yardie is a Jamaican, especially one living abroad; in British usage it can specifically mean a member of a Jamaican criminal gang.
Where does the word yardie come from?
It comes from 'yard', Jamaican Patois for home or Jamaica itself, plus the ending '-ie'.
Is yardie an offensive term?
It depends on context; among Jamaicans it can simply mean a fellow countryman, but the British media use tied it to gang crime, giving it a negative slant.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
