Toronto Slang and Where it Actually Comes From

If you think this is short for “family” then you are exactly right. But unlike the traditional meaning of family, fam speaks to your inner circle — your close friends, your people. This one is a pretty safe slang word to use without context.

Where “fam” comes from

While many of us have shortened “family” to refer to our relatives, fam used in the slang context actually goes back to the early 2000s and was used in Black English communities — and was also known and used amongst the urban British as slang too.

1. Like the word "thing," but we dropped the “h.” 2. Also, a term to describe a woman someone is seeing, but isn’t serious about. (My ting came over last night).

Where “ting” comes from

A Jamaican abbreviation for “thing.” Fun fact: Jamaicans don’t really pronounce h’s, especially when they’re the first letter of a word.

wah-gwon A fun greeting that’s basically to say “what’s going on."

Where “wagwan” comes from

Especially popular in South London, this Jamaican English slang is used commonly in communities with Jamaican folks who live outside Jamaica.

yu-tuh

The word “youth” has evolved to “yute.” Refers to a singular young person. (Who’s that yute?)

Where “yute” comes from

A word that originated from Jamaican patois that is commonly used to refer to young people, especially when referring to a child.

wall-ah-hee

It means “I swear” — and/or “I promise”. (Wallahi, I didn’t touch your things.)

Where “wallahi” comes from

This term is actually an Arabic word for “I swear” or "I swear to God" often used by Muslim folks. In the GTA specifically, it has evolved into slang commonly used in public schools throughout.

ah-lie

Can be used as a question, meaning “am I lying?” Or as a statement of disbelief, meaning “that has to be a lie!” (“I look nice, ahlie? Or “Ahlie! She didn’t say that!”)

Where “ahlie” comes from

“Ahlie” is a term that comes from Jamaican patois that literally translates to “a lie.”

ni-ze-it

A cooler and arguably trendier way to tell someone to shut up.

Where “nize it” comes from

The word “nize” is a Jamaican word for “noise.” The term “nize it” isn’t commonly used in Jamaica. More often they say “stop di nize,” which means “stop the noise.”

dun-no

A term used to say, “of course.”

Where “dun know” comes from

“Dun know” is a term that comes from Jamaican patois that literally translates to “you already know.” You can also say “yah dun know,” which is closer to the actual meaning.

man-dem

Used to refer to a group of males. (I’m chilling with the man dem today.)

Where “man dem” comes from

A Jamaican term made from the combination of “man” and “dem” — which means “them” in Jamaican patois. So, the term refers to multiple men.

lime

It’s not the fruit and it’s not the alkaline powder you mix into — to lime is the art of doing nothing — with limers. A lime is a get together with friends, family, coworkers or strangers at either your house, their house, the beach, by the river or on a street corner. Sometimes at work. (Look, Trinidadians can lime anywhere at any time — it’s a gift.) It’s usually accompanied by food, drink and ol’ talk (picong). The best limes just happen: your friends or family show up (usually without an invite because, Trinidadians) and you lime.

Where “lime” comes from

Origin (disputed): English sailors in Trinidad were called limeys, who were noted for liming in bars.

If someone called you dotish or said you were suffering from dotishness, then you’ve basically done something stupid or incompetent and annoyed them.

Where “dotish” comes from

Origin: from the British word ‘Doltish’ and made popular in communities within Trinidad and Tobago.

If you’re wearing battyriders (short shorts and sometimes even a mini skirt), your butt cheeks are hanging out. Often worn during summer, at fetes or whenever you feel like.

Where “battyrider” comes from

Origin: from the Jamaican word “batty” meaning bottom. It’s also used in Trinidad and Tobago.