The term “nigga” may be heard in my articles a lot. I do not mean it as a racist term or even in a disrespectful way, although yes, it can be used in both of those categories. So keep in mind that I lived in various parts of the hood, which consisted of both Black and Mexican people. This is the majority; other races are the minority where I’m from or where I have been, or should I say, lived in. I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, and my own hood was full of Blacks and Mexicans. We all called each other “nigga.” My friend would come to my house, and I would greet him by saying, “What’s good, my nigga!” Or I would play with him, saying, “Bitch-ass nigga, you so ugly you look like so-and-so.” But he would address me as “nigga,” and I’m Mexican. When I didn’t want to participate in things, my friend would say, “Stop being scary, nigga,” to which I would respond by saying, “Bitch-ass nigga, I ain’t feeling it, FAM!” These are just examples of a Mexican and Black interacting. I’m not a racist; I honestly don’t care what color you are. I just ask that you understand “nigga” is not a racist term where I come from. It’s used as a form of addressing someone, a friend, or joking. It’s just a slang term used a lot in the hood by Blacks and Mexicans, even whites that live in the hood. It’s something we all say, so you will hear this term a lot. Just don’t get offended by the slang term used commonly amongst us people that are from the hood and grew up in the hood. You can say this is not a good place or that our vocabulary is inappropriate. That may be true. I just want to show you the reality of this life, both in the free world and prison, which is overlooked or forgotten. But this place, this life, does exist, and this is where all darkness comes from….

Slang Term and Phrases Dictionary:

Nigga – Used to address a person, which can mean friend or enemy, depending on how you use it towards someone.

FAM – Short for family, but used commonly in the hood to address a friend.

ESE – A Hispanic person or Mexican, which is used mostly by Mexicans. Even blacks use it to address a Mexican person.

Rap – No, not like rhyme in a hip-hop song. It means talk or start a conversation. For example, “Let’s rap, FAM,” or “I’m rap with ya later, FAM.”

Wrap – No, not a wrapper or chicken wrap. Basically saying it’s over, like saying, “It’s a wrap, FAM,” also commonly said in the hood.

Cuz – More commonly used as a gang-related term for Crips, but also short for cousin. You will also hear “cuzo,” which is basically the same thing.

Dog – Another term more commonly used for Bloods as gang-related terms, but also used to address a friend or person. For example, “What’s good, dog?”

Cracking – Meaning what’s happening. Also a gang-related term used for the Crip gang, but also commonly used for people in the hood. For example, “What’s cracking, FAM?”

Was good – Basically a greeting saying hi! or hey.

Turned up – Meaning excited or an exciting party or event. For example, “I’m about to get turned up, FAM!”

Acting up – Meaning acting in an inappropriate way or acting badly. Can also mean acting funny.

Snap – Used as an exclamation. For example, “Oh snap!” instead of using the word “shit,” people will say, “Oh snap.”

Live – Not live in concert, meaning good or something that looks awesome.

That’s fire – Basically saying that’s cool or really good.

Was good – Saying hi or hey. It’s a common term used in the hood.

What the business is – Also a greeting saying hi or hey, just in a different manner.

Lit – This term is used for saying you’re drunk or high, or just feeling really good. Can also refer to something being good. For example, “That party was so lit, FAM!”

Stretch out – Basically meaning to be laid out on the floor. You will hear this phrase used in many ways, some inappropriate. For example, if you’re going to fight someone, saying, “I’m stretch that hoe out,” or in a football game, you might see a football player on the floor during an injury, so someone will scream, “Stretch out!” Men might also use it in a sexual context, like saying they will stretch a female’s vagina during intercourse or have her stretched out on the bed. Also used to say you have an erection.

Real talk – Basically saying you’re being honest. If you hear someone say “real talk,” they are just trying to say they’re being honest.

Thugging – Can mean walking or chilling, or just the lifestyle of a thug.

Twin – Meaning a friend or someone really close to your personality, or a close relative.

Rep that – Short for representing, but will be used for fighting. For example, “I bet you won’t rep that shit,” like saying, “I bet you won’t fight him.”

Run it – Basically meaning an action. For example, when they say “run that shit, FAM,” it can mean fight, steal, or even rap. Used in many ways and forms.

Bookoo – Basically meaning a lot. If you hear “I’ve got bookoo money,” they are just stating they have a lot of money or a lot of something.

Hold em up – Meaning stop or hold on, or basically saying throw your hands up. For example, “Man, hold em up, FAM!”

Mayne – Also used in another form, basically saying man. You will hear it commonly said like, “What’s up, mayne?”

What’s popping – Another gang-related term used for Pirus like “What’s popping, five?” but it’s also used for other people in the hood. If you hear it, it basically is a greeting like saying hi, or asking how you are doing or what’s going on.

What’s the damn deal – Another phrase used as a greeting or being formal, like asking what’s going on with you, how you are doing, or what’s going on.

That’s a bet – Basically making an understanding or more likely an agreement. For example, “I’ll see you next week, that’s a bet, FAM!”

Hoe – Yes, short for whore, but it’s commonly used as a term for women. Yes, it is derogatory, but it’s a term used commonly in the hood and in different ways.