
***
In the shadow of the island
On the isle of Manhattan
The people shine like diamonds
Amid a masquerade of fashion
Mastering the many rules
That this jungle must abide by
It’s a game that win or lose
Everybody playing, complies
To be in the crowd who knows
You must first converse correctly
The lingo will keep you on your toes
You cannot spew incidentally
When in search for a bodega
Leave your baggage in your flat
You can't be seen schlepping the gouda
Around the city, like a twat
If you want to do things right
You'd better mind your p's and q's
You can't be looking nice and tight
Until you know what, when and who
You've gotta get yourself mad hungry
To avoid appearing thirsty
Or you'll be left out on the street
Being schooled on, "where's the beef"
**
AI Overview
New York slang includes words and phrases like "bodega", "deadass", "brick", and "mad".
Examples of New York slang
Bodega: A small convenience store or corner shop that's usually family-owned
Mad: An intensifier to mean "a lot" or "very"
Schlep: To carry or haul something, usually with effort or inconvenience
Tight: To describe something that is well put together, cool, or in style
Thirsty: To describe someone who is acting desperate
Beef. When two New Yorkers have unresolved business or tension between them, these two people have beef with each other.
New York has a rich cultural legacy of slang words and phrases. These words often interplayed with vaudeville, radio, movies, comics, and popular songs.
About the Creator
Kelli Sheckler-Amsden
Telling stories my heart needs to tell <3 life is a journey, not a competition
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Comments (4)
What a culture and language lesson on New York. Good job.
Don’t forget your bagels at Zuckers! With or without schmear!
Marvelous way of sweeping us through the jungle's slang, Kelli.
Great poem Last line, I heard in a little ol' lady's voice lol "Where's the Beef!" But I'm old, and I recall those ancient commercials🤣