Slang Dictionary — Modern Slang, Decoded

Right now, at this moment, currently. The Scottish equivalent of 'just now' or 'at the minute'. Famously stuck onto the end of sentences — 'I'm awa' tae ma bed the noo'.

Fifth Ward, Houston. 'Nickel' = five. One of the city's oldest Black neighbourhoods, birthplace of countless musicians and a rep so rough it picked up the second nickname 'The Bloody Nickel.'

Cheek, nerve, audacity. Usually delivered as 'the neck of him/her' when someone's done something brazen — asking for a favour after standing you up, that kind of thing. Half disbelief, half admiration.

The strong appetite and craving for food brought on by consuming cannabis.

Said on a rare clear day when Mount Rainier (or another peak) is visible from the city, usually with delight after a long gray spell.

Used as the highest possible compliment: someone or something is the peak, the ultimate.

Tomorrow. Shared with Scots and used across the North East — direct descendant of Middle English 'the morwe'. Pairs naturally with 'the day' (today) and 'the neet' (tonight).

The imagined destination for a soaring stock, invoked in 'to the moon' and 'see you on the moon' to signal extreme bullish targets.

A career trajectory, historically for mothers, involving reduced hours or ambition to balance childcare, often criticized for stalling advancement and pay.

A nickname for Michigan, especially the Lower Peninsula, whose outline resembles a mitten. Locals point to spots on their hand as a map.

The extended, multi-stage Upper Midwest departure, involving prolonged goodbyes at the door, in the driveway, and by the car.

Detroiters' shorthand for Seven Mile Road, the east-west strip that defines a huge chunk of the city's north side and its rap scene. Home turf referenced constantly by Big Sean, Tee Grizzley, and the BMF mythos. Not to be confused with Eight Mile, the city/suburb border Eminem made famous.

An affectionate nickname for the Mackinac Bridge connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas; also 'the Bridge.'

The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis's former domed, air-supported-roof stadium, home to the Twins and Vikings until 2014.

Groceries or shopping; 'to go for the messages' is to run errands or do the shopping.

Extended to any situation or story that doesn't logically hold together.

The establishment or system of authority seen as controlling and oppressive.

A tongue-in-cheek reference to the market as an unstoppable, mysterious 'machine' that keeps minting money — often said sarcastically as it takes traders' money instead.

A relatively recent nickname for St. Louis.

Interstate 610, the freeway loop that circles inner Houston. The city splits itself by it — 'inside the loop' = central, urbane, walkable-ish; 'outside the loop' = suburbs, sprawl, cheaper rent. 'Inner looper' is half-flex, half-insult depending who's saying it.

How Detroiters refer to the John C. Lodge Freeway, M-10, the artery that cuts from downtown out through the northwest side. Nobody local says 'M-10'. You take the Lodge.

The opening bell for a reading session — when the clever, cutting insults are about to fly. 'Library' is the metaphorical place where you read people, since reading is the art of the well-aimed verbal takedown. On RuPaul's Drag Race, Ru declares the library open before the queens read each other to filth, then asks 'Because reading is what?' — answer: 'Fundamental!'. The whole bit is lifted from the reading tradition immortalised in Paris Is Burning.

Shorthand for the major lake locals default to, whether Lake Michigan in Chicago or a family cabin lake in Minnesota.

Chicago's rapid transit network, named for its elevated ('el') tracks running above the streets.