Street Gang Slang / Glossary
13 or XIII or X3 or TRECE
Thirteenth letter in the alphabet - (M), which symbolizes or identifies gang affiliation of Mexican heritage. Also may refer to allegience to Southern California gangs.
14 or XIV or X4
Fourteenth letter of the alphabet "N"; refers to allegiance to Northern California or Norte Califas gangs.
8-BALL
A reference to a quantity of cocaine.
5-O
The police.
AK
Used to denote a semi-automatic assault rifle, such as AK47 or SKS rifles.
B.G. or BABY G
Term for a very young gangster, approximately 9-12 years old; Stands for "Baby Gangster."
BK
Initials meaning Blood killer; used by Crip gangs to threaten rival "Blood" gangs; the brand of athletic shoes called British Knights are popular with the Crip gang members because of the initials on the shoes "BK."
BG, BD or BGD
Refers to "sets" of large Midwestern gangs called Black Gangsters, Black Disciples, Black Gangster Disciples who are a coalition of criminal enterprises under the organized umbrella of the "Folk Nation."
BLOOD
The organized umbrella gang over numerous sets of California street gangs. They utilize the color red in clothing, graffiti, etc.
BUD
Marijuana.
BUSTED,POPPED A CAP
Shot at someone. CK Initials meaning "Crip Killer"' used by Blood gangs to threaten rival "Crip" gangs.
CHOLA
Spanish reference for a girl involved in gang activity.
CHOLO
Spanish reference for a boy involved in gang activity.
CLICA, CLIKA
Spanish reference for set, clique, gang.
CLIQUE
A set; a gang.
CLICKING IN
Getting initiated into a gang.
COLORS
Refering to gang colors. Flying colors means wearing a bandana or clothing that represents gang colors.
CRAB
Bloods' derogatory nickname for Crip gang members.
CRIB
A person's home, an inmate's cell, room.
CRIP
The organized umbrella gang over numerous sets of California street gangs; they utilize the color blue in clothing, graffiti, etc.
CUZZ
Friendly slang term used for one another by Crips when talking with other Crips.
DOUBLE DEUCE
A .22 caliber handgun.
DURAG
(Pronounced doo-rag) Handkerchief or bandanna wrapped around a gang member's head.
DUSTED
Under the influence of P.C.P.; often used to refer to a marijuana joint laced with P.C.P.
FLYING YOUR COLORS
Wearing your gang's colors.
G or GANGSTER
How gang members see and describe themselves.
GAGE
Shotgun.
GANG BANGER
Gang member.
GAT
Gun.
GET DOWN
Fight.
HARD
An adjective for describing someone as strong-willed; unemotional or uncaring.
HATER
A snitch.
HOLMES
A person from a neighborhood. Homeboy, Homies.
HOMEY, HOME BOY
Fellow gang member from the same neighborhood.
HOOD
Neighborhood.
IN THE MIX
Involved in gang activity.
JACK
Verb meaning to rob or assault someone.
KICKING IT
Gang banging or spending time with someone or some group.
LIGHTING UP/LIT UP
Shot.
MAD DOG
Staring or glaring at another person with intent to intimidate.
MI VIDA LOCA
Spanish translation for "My crazy life." Symbolizes what the gang member thinks of their lifestyle. Live for now, don't worry about the consequences.
O.G.
Abbreviation for "Original Gangster"; reference for one of the original members of a clique, set, or gang.
PAY BACK
Vendetta, retaliation.
PLACAS
Spanish reference for graffiti identifying a gang name.
PEOPLE/PEOPLE NATION
A coalition of midwestern gangs including the Vice Lords and affiliate groups that have formed an organized criminal group of gangs/sets. Rival the Folks/Folk Nation.
PIPE HEAD
Person addicted to cocaine.
POR VIDA
Spanish translation: "For life." Means the gang member is in the gang for life.
POSSE
East Coast term for gang.
PRIMO
Marijuana joint laced with cocaine.
PUTTING IN WORK
Reference for a gang member doing a shooting; a murder.
R.I.P.
"Rest In Peace." Often seen in graffiti and is a signal of pending violence or violence which has already occurred.
RAG
Handkerchief in gang's color.
RIDE
Car.
SET
Neighborhood gangs; another term used for a gang by criminal street gang members. Most sets are loyal to and fall under a greater organized umbrella entity such as the "Bloods", "Crips", "Folks" or "People."
SHANK
Prison terminology for homemade knife.
SHOOTER
A person who uses a gun.
SLOB
Crip's insult for Blood gang member.
SMILE NOW, CRY LATER
Popular tatoo of a smiling face and frowning face. Depicts gangster life.
SMOKED HIM
Means to have shot someone.
SNITCH
Informer.
SQUAB
An argument or fight.
TAG
A writer's name (moniker is his "Tag," to write graffiti is to "tag".)
TAGGER
A person who writes graffiti.
TREY EIGHT
A .38 caliber handgun.
TURF
Territory claimed by the gang.
VATO
Spanish reference to man, boy, guy.
VATO LOCO
Spanish reference to crazy dude.
WHAT IT "B" LIKE
Blood greeting.
WHAT IT "C" LIKE
Crip greeting.
13 or XIII or X3 or TRECE
Thirteenth letter in the alphabet - (M), which symbolizes or identifies gang affiliation of Mexican heritage. Also may refer to allegience to Southern California gangs.
14 or XIV or X4
Fourteenth letter of the alphabet "N"; refers to allegiance to Northern California or Norte Califas gangs.
8-BALL
A reference to a quantity of cocaine.
5-O
The police.
AK
Used to denote a semi-automatic assault rifle, such as AK47 or SKS rifles.
B.G. or BABY G
Term for a very young gangster, approximately 9-12 years old; Stands for "Baby Gangster."
BK
Initials meaning Blood killer; used by Crip gangs to threaten rival "Blood" gangs; the brand of athletic shoes called British Knights are popular with the Crip gang members because of the initials on the shoes "BK."
BG, BD or BGD
Refers to "sets" of large Midwestern gangs called Black Gangsters, Black Disciples, Black Gangster Disciples who are a coalition of criminal enterprises under the organized umbrella of the "Folk Nation."
BLOOD
The organized umbrella gang over numerous sets of California street gangs. They utilize the color red in clothing, graffiti, etc.
BUD
Marijuana.
BUSTED,POPPED A CAP
Shot at someone. CK Initials meaning "Crip Killer"' used by Blood gangs to threaten rival "Crip" gangs.
CHOLA
Spanish reference for a girl involved in gang activity.
CHOLO
Spanish reference for a boy involved in gang activity.
CLICA, CLIKA
Spanish reference for set, clique, gang.
CLIQUE
A set; a gang.
CLICKING IN
Getting initiated into a gang.
COLORS
Refering to gang colors. Flying colors means wearing a bandana or clothing that represents gang colors.
CRAB
Bloods' derogatory nickname for Crip gang members.
CRIB
A person's home, an inmate's cell, room.
CRIP
The organized umbrella gang over numerous sets of California street gangs; they utilize the color blue in clothing, graffiti, etc.
CUZZ
Friendly slang term used for one another by Crips when talking with other Crips.
DOUBLE DEUCE
A .22 caliber handgun.
DURAG
(Pronounced doo-rag) Handkerchief or bandanna wrapped around a gang member's head.
DUSTED
Under the influence of P.C.P.; often used to refer to a marijuana joint laced with P.C.P.
FLYING YOUR COLORS
Wearing your gang's colors.
G or GANGSTER
How gang members see and describe themselves.
GAGE
Shotgun.
GANG BANGER
Gang member.
GAT
Gun.
GET DOWN
Fight.
HARD
An adjective for describing someone as strong-willed; unemotional or uncaring.
HATER
A snitch.
HOLMES
A person from a neighborhood. Homeboy, Homies.
HOMEY, HOME BOY
Fellow gang member from the same neighborhood.
HOOD
Neighborhood.
IN THE MIX
Involved in gang activity.
JACK
Verb meaning to rob or assault someone.
KICKING IT
Gang banging or spending time with someone or some group.
LIGHTING UP/LIT UP
Shot.
MAD DOG
Staring or glaring at another person with intent to intimidate.
MI VIDA LOCA
Spanish translation for "My crazy life." Symbolizes what the gang member thinks of their lifestyle. Live for now, don't worry about the consequences.
O.G.
Abbreviation for "Original Gangster"; reference for one of the original members of a clique, set, or gang.
PAY BACK
Vendetta, retaliation.
PLACAS
Spanish reference for graffiti identifying a gang name.
PEOPLE/PEOPLE NATION
A coalition of midwestern gangs including the Vice Lords and affiliate groups that have formed an organized criminal group of gangs/sets. Rival the Folks/Folk Nation.
PIPE HEAD
Person addicted to cocaine.
POR VIDA
Spanish translation: "For life." Means the gang member is in the gang for life.
POSSE
East Coast term for gang.
PRIMO
Marijuana joint laced with cocaine.
PUTTING IN WORK
Reference for a gang member doing a shooting; a murder.
R.I.P.
"Rest In Peace." Often seen in graffiti and is a signal of pending violence or violence which has already occurred.
RAG
Handkerchief in gang's color.
RIDE
Car.
SET
Neighborhood gangs; another term used for a gang by criminal street gang members. Most sets are loyal to and fall under a greater organized umbrella entity such as the "Bloods", "Crips", "Folks" or "People."
SHANK
Prison terminology for homemade knife.
SHOOTER
A person who uses a gun.
SLOB
Crip's insult for Blood gang member.
SMILE NOW, CRY LATER
Popular tatoo of a smiling face and frowning face. Depicts gangster life.
SMOKED HIM
Means to have shot someone.
SNITCH
Informer.
SQUAB
An argument or fight.
TAG
A writer's name (moniker is his "Tag," to write graffiti is to "tag".)
TAGGER
A person who writes graffiti.
TREY EIGHT
A .38 caliber handgun.
TURF
Territory claimed by the gang.
VATO
Spanish reference to man, boy, guy.
VATO LOCO
Spanish reference to crazy dude.
WHAT IT "B" LIKE
Blood greeting.
WHAT IT "C" LIKE
Crip greeting.
Comment