Chicago slang words are local expressions used mostly on the South and West Sides of Chicago, shaped by Black culture, drill music, and everyday Midwest speech. Words like “gym shoes,” “the L,” “jits,” and “boul” reflect the city’s neighborhoods, transit system, and youth culture, and many have spread nationally through music and social media.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago slang blends everyday Midwest terms (like “pop” and “gym shoes”) with words rooted in Black Chicago culture and drill music.
- Many terms started in specific neighborhoods before spreading citywide, then nationally through songs and social media.
- The exact origin of several words is unclear, since slang usually spreads by word of mouth before anyone writes it down.
- Most of this slang is still actively used today, especially by teens and young adults online.
- The tone ranges from playful and casual to tougher, street rooted language — context matters a lot.
- Chicago slang is different from general internet slang because it’s tied to specific places, like the South Side or the L train.
People search for “chicago slang words” for a lot of reasons. Maybe you heard a word in a drill song and had no idea what it meant.
Maybe you’re moving to Chicago and want to understand the locals. Or maybe you saw a term on TikTok and got curious about where it came from.Chicago has its own way of talking. Some of it comes from being a Midwest city think “pop” instead of soda.
Some of it comes from specific neighborhoods, especially on the South and West Sides. And a lot of it has traveled far beyond city limits through Chicago drill music, which put local slang in front of millions of listeners worldwide.
This guide covers real chicago slang words, what they mean, where they likely came from, and how people use them in conversation, texts, and social media today. Nothing here is made up where the origin of a word is genuinely unclear, we’ll say so instead of guessing.
What Does Chicago Slang Words Mean?
Chicago slang words are informal terms and phrases that are either unique to Chicago or used in a distinctly Chicago way.
Some are Midwest wide, some are specific to certain neighborhoods, and some come from the city’s music scene.
A few examples right away: “gym shoes” means sneakers, “the L” means the elevated train system, and “jits” refers to younger guys, often used by older teens talking about kids coming up behind them.
These aren’t random each one is tied to something specific about life in Chicago, if that’s the transit system, the if, or the local music culture.
Quick Meaning Box
| Meaning | Simple Explanation |
| Gym shoes | Sneakers or athletic shoes |
| The L | Chicago’s elevated train system |
| Jits | Younger guys, usually teens |
| Boul | A guy or dude, common in Chicago drill slang |
| Slide | To come through or show up somewhere |
| Bricking | Extremely cold if |
| Opp | An opponent or rival |
| Drip | Stylish clothing or an impressive look |
Pronunciation
“Chicago slang words” is pronounced: shih KAH goh slang wurdz. Individual terms like “boul” (rhymes with “bowl”) or “jits” (rhymes with “bits”) are usually said the way they’re spelled, so pronunciation isn’t a major hurdle for most of these terms.
Where Does Chicago Slang Words Come From?
Chicago slang draws from several sources at once, not one single origin. A large share of it comes from Black Chicago culture, particularly on the South and West Sides, which has shaped much of the city’s music, fashion, and speech for decades.
Drill music, which started in Chicago in the early 2010s with artists like Chief Keef, played a huge role in spreading local slang nationally.
Words that once stayed within specific neighborhoods started showing up in songs, then in comment sections, then in everyday conversation across the country.
Some Chicago slang also overlaps with African American Vernacular English (AAVE) more broadly, since AAVE has influenced slang in cities across the U.S.
The exact origin of many individual words is unclear slang usually spreads through conversation and music long before anyone tracks where it actually started.
History of the Term
Chicago slang isn’t new. Older terms like “gym shoes” and “pop” have been part of everyday Chicago speech for generations, tied to Midwest regional dialect rather than any single decade.
The bigger shift happened in the early 2010s, when Chicago drill music went viral online. Suddenly, words used in specific South Side neighborhoods were being heard by listeners who had never set foot in Chicago.
Terms like “opp,” “slide,” and “boul” moved from local usage into wider hip hop culture and then into general slang used by teens nationwide.
Since then, social media has kept this slang alive and evolving. New terms get added regularly, while older ones stick around because they still get used in music, memes, and everyday texting.
How People Use It Today
Chicago slang words and meanings show up most on TikTok, Instagram, X, and in group chats. Teens and young adults use these terms in captions, comments, and casual conversation, often without thinking twice about where the words originated.
On TikTok, Chicago slang often appears in comment sections under drill music clips or Chicago based creators’ videos.
On Instagram, it shows up in captions about outfits (“drip”) or if complaints (“bricking outside”). In texting, it’s used the same way any casual slang gets used quick, informal, and understood instantly by the right audience.
List of Chicago Slang Words and Their Meanings
Here’s a straightforward list of chicago slang words and meanings that come up often:
- Gym shoes Sneakers
- Pop Soda
- The L The elevated train
- Jits Younger guys
- Boul A guy or friend
- Slide To come through
- Bricking Very cold
- Opp Rival or opponent
- Drip Stylish clothing
- On gang A phrase used to emphasize sincerity
What Are Some Chicago Slang Words Used by Locals?
Locals lean on a mix of casual and neighborhood specific terms depending on who they’re talking to and where they grew up.”Gym shoes” and “pop” are used by basically everyone in the city, regardless of age.
Terms like “boul,” “jits,” and “on gang” are more common among younger people, especially those connected to the city’s music and social media culture.
South Side Chicago Slang Words
The South Side of Chicago has produced a lot of the slang that eventually spread nationally, largely because it’s the birthplace of Chicago drill music.
Words like “opp,” “slide,” and “boul” are closely tied to South Side neighborhoods before they became widely known through music.
This doesn’t mean every South Side resident uses these words the same way. Slang varies block by block and changes fast, so what’s common in one neighborhood might sound outdated or unfamiliar just a few miles away.
Chicago Street Slang Words
Chicago street slang words often describe people, situations, or attitudes in a quick, direct way. “Opp” describes a rival. “Slide” describes showing up somewhere, often unannounced. “On gang” adds emphasis to a statement, similar to saying “I swear” or “for real.”
This kind of slang tends to be more common in music lyrics and among younger speakers than in everyday formal conversation.
Chicago Drill Slang Words
Chicago drill slang words are terms that either started in or were popularized by Chicago’s drill music scene. “Opp,” “slide,” “boul,” and “on gang” all fit here. Drill music put a spotlight on South Side Chicago culture, and its slang followed the music into playlists and social feeds everywhere.
It’s worth being upfront: some drill slang is tied to serious real world contexts, including rivalries between groups. When using these words casually, most people especially outside Chicago are just borrowing the vocabulary for style, not referencing anything specific.
Funny Chicago Slang Words
Not all Chicago slang is serious. “Bricking” (meaning freezing cold) tends to get a laugh because of how dramatic it sounds for describing if. “Jits” can also come across as funny when older teens use it to describe kids who are only a couple years younger than them.
Chicago Lingo Slang Words
“Lingo” is really just another word for slang, so chicago lingo slang words cover the same ground: gym shoes, pop, the L, jits, boul, slide, bricking, opp, and drip.
Together, these terms form the everyday vocabulary that separates Chicago speech from other regional dialects.
Chicago Slang Words on Urban Dictionary
Many chicago slang words show up on Urban Dictionary, where users submit and vote on definitions.Urban Dictionary entries can be useful for catching newer slang quickly.
But definitions there are user submitted and not fact checked, so accuracy varies from entry to entry. It’s a good starting point, not a final source.
Black Chicago Slang Words
A lot of Chicago slang traces back to Black culture in the city, especially the South and West Sides. This connects to the broader influence of AAVE on American slang generally.
Terms like “finna” (going to), “on gang,” and “boul” reflect this cultural root, even as they’ve spread to a much wider audience through music and social media.
Examples in Everyday Conversation
- “You still rocking those gym shoes? They’re falling apart.”
- “I’ll slide through after work, save me a plate.”
- “It’s bricking outside, grab your coat.”
- “That’s my boul, we grew up together.”
- “Nah, I’m good, on gang I already ate.”
- “These jits think they run the block now.”
- “You catching the L or driving in?”
- “I don’t mess with him, he’s an opp.”
- “Finna head to the store, need anything?”
Text Message Examples
- “u sliding thru tonight or nah”
- “it’s bricking rn stay inside lol”
- “new gym shoes came in 🔥”
- “on gang I didn’t say that”
- “catching the L in 10, be there soon”
- “these jits are wild man”
- “that’s not my opp we cool now”
- “his drip been different lately”
- “finna eat then call u back”
- “he’s my boul from way back”
Social Media Caption Examples
- Instagram: “New gym shoes, new me 👟”
- TikTok: “POV: it’s bricking outside and you forgot your coat”
- X: “Just caught the L downtown, city’s alive today”
- Threads: “My boul really said that with a straight face 💀”
- Facebook: “Sliding through the block reunion this weekend”
- Instagram: “Drip check ✅”
- TikTok: “On gang this is the best chicken spot in the city”
- X: “These jits don’t know how good they have it”
- Threads: “Finna get some sleep, long day tomorrow”
- Instagram: “No opps here, just good vibes”
Is It Positive or Negative?
Most chicago slang words are neutral to positive in everyday use. “Gym shoes,” “pop,” “the L,” “drip,” and “slide” are casual and friendly. Words like “opp” carry a more negative or confrontational tone, since they describe a rival.
Misunderstandings usually happen when someone uses street rooted slang like “opp” or “on gang” outside its usual casual context. Tone and relationship matter the same word can sound playful between friends and out of place in a formal or unfamiliar setting.
Who Uses This Slang?
Teens and young adults use most of this slang the most, especially through music and social media. Older Chicago residents are more likely to stick with long standing terms like “gym shoes” and “pop,” which have been part of everyday speech for decades regardless of age.
Fans of drill music, both inside and outside Chicago, have picked up terms like “opp,” “boul,” and “slide” through songs and online content, even if they’ve never visited the city.
Similar Slang Words
| Slang | Meaning |
| Finna | Going to (do something) |
| Jawn (Philly slang) | A generic word for a thing or person |
| Hella (West Coast slang) | Very or a lot |
| Deadass | Seriously, for real |
| Lit | Exciting or fun |
Opposite Words
- Opp vs. Squad/gang a rival compared to someone on your side
- Bricking vs. Sweltering extreme cold compared to extreme heat
- Drip vs. Basic stylish compared to plain or unoriginal
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “gym shoes” with a specific shoe brand instead of understanding it as a general term for sneakers.
Some assume “boul” is spelled “bol” or “bowl,” which can make it harder to search or understand in text. Others use “opp” casually without realizing it can carry real weight in certain contexts, especially in music or serious conversations.
When NOT to Use It
Avoid chicago slang words in professional emails, job interviews, school assignments, and formal writing.Terms like “on gang,” “opp,” or “jits”.
Can come across as unprofessional or confusing to readers who aren’t familiar with the local context. In business settings, clear standard English keeps communication professional and avoids misunderstandings.
Fun Facts
- “Pop” instead of “soda” is common across much of the Midwest, not just Chicago.
- Chicago drill music, which started in the early 2010s, helped push local slang into mainstream hip hop culture.
- “The L” gets its name from the fact that the train runs on an elevated track.
- Slang from Chicago has been picked up by artists and fans well outside Illinois, thanks to streaming and social media.
- Slang meanings can shift by neighborhood, even within the same city.
Frequently Asked Questions
1:What slang came from Chicago?
Several slang terms are closely tied to Chicago, especially through its drill music scene. Words like “opp,” “boul,” “slide,” and “on gang” gained national attention after Chicago drill music went viral in the early 2010s.
Before that, these terms circulated mainly within specific South Side neighborhoods. Once artists started using them in songs, fans across the country picked them up, and the words eventually became part of wider slang used well beyond Chicago’s city limits.
2:What do Chicagoans say differently?
Chicagoans often use words that differ from standard English or other regional slang. “Gym shoes” instead of “sneakers” and “pop” instead of “soda” are two of the most common examples, and both are used across generations.
Younger Chicagoans also use terms like “jits,” “bricking,” and “drip” in daily conversation. These differences come from a mix of Midwest regional speech patterns and slang rooted in the city’s Black culture and music scene.
3:What is the slang for Chicago?
Chicago itself doesn’t really have one single slang nickname that dominates casual speech, though “Chi” or “the Chi” is a commonly used short form among locals and in music.
It’s used affectionately to refer to the city as a whole, similar to how other cities get shortened nicknames. You’ll hear “the Chi” in songs, captions, and everyday conversation among people connected to the city.
4;What are 5 slang words?
Five common chicago slang words are “gym shoes” (sneakers), “the L” (the train), “boul” (a guy or friend), “slide” (to come through), and “bricking” (extremely cold).
Each reflects a different part of Chicago life, from the transit system to the if to casual friendship. These words show up regularly in conversation, texting, and social media captions from people connected to the city.
Final Thoughts
Chicago slang words tell you a lot about the city itself its trains, its if, its neighborhoods, and its music. Some terms, like “gym shoes” and “pop,” have stuck around for generations. Others, like “opp” and “boul,” spread nationally through Chicago’s drill music scene and social media.
Understanding this slang isn’t about memorizing a list it’s about recognizing where the words come from and using them the right way, in the right setting. Skip the formal emails and job interviews, but feel free to drop “on gang” or “slide through” the next time you’re texting a friend.
Chloe Mitchell is passionate about digital communication and the stories behind viral words. She writes for SlangGuide.com, helping readers discover the meanings, origins, and everyday use of popular slang terms.
