The daily life of many police officers includes dealing with gangs, drugs, and the crime affiliated with them. Gang members, however, often speak a "language" not completely understood by officers. Slang is common throughout all gangs. Hearing a gang banger yell out "Hey buster!" is not necessarily as harmless as it sounds. A "buster" is a slang term applied to a wannabe gang member, who are often the most dangerous. Check out these links to familiarize yourself with some common gang slang.

Gang Slang
http://www.rapdict.org/terms/a

More Gang Slang
http://www.gangsorus.com/slang.html

New York Gang Slang

Mexican Street Slang

• #13 -- "M"
• Aguitado -- Mad/Furious
• Aztlan -- Occupied Mexico (Calif., New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Treaty of Guadalupe)
• Barrio/Varrio -- Neighborhood (not slang)
• Birria/Pisto -- Beer/Drink (referring to alcohol)
• Blancas -- White
• Borrego -- Small Bag
• Caca -- Drugs/Shit
• Camarada -- Friend
• Canton -- Home/House
• Carcancha -- Car (junker)
• Carcel/Bote/tanque -- Jail
• Carnal -- Brother
• Carnala -- Sister
• Carrucha -- Car
• Chale -- No
• Chansa -- Chance
• Chante -- Home/House
• Chavala -- Girl/Little Girl
• Chingasos -- Fighting
• Cholo -- Modern Pachuco
• Chota -- Police
• Chuco -- Veteranos (veterans of the gang)
• Horale -- Alright/Acknowledgement
• Hueros -- Anglos
• Huevon -- Lazy
• Jefa/Jeffita -- Mother/Boss
• Jefe/Jefito -- Father/Boss
• Joto -- Fag
• Jura (Juda) -- Police Oath Taker
• La Chinga -- The Damn Activity (refers to work)
• La Ley -- Police/The Law
• La Migra -- Immigration
• La Raza -- The Race
• La Trola -- The Match
• Lambion -- Kiss Ass
• Maricon -- Homosexual
• Marrano, (A) -- Pig
• Mayate/Tinto/Chanate -- Black Person
• Mecha -- Match
• Menso -- Idiot
• Mosa/Mosca -- Pest (fly)
• Mota -- Marijuana
• Nada -- Nothing
• Nel -- No
• Orale -- Okay, Stop Fooling Around
• Pedo -- Fart/Fight/Trouble/Drunk/Shit
• Pendejo -- Stupid
• Sabes Que Ese? -- You Know What Man?
• Sancho -- Wife's Boyfriend/Jody
• Sempre -- Always/Forever
• Simon -- Yes
• Talco -- Cocaine/Powder
• Tonto -- Dummy
• Torcido -- Twisted/to be Arrested/Busted
• Total -- All the Way
• Trucha! -- Watch Out!/Get With it!/Look Out!
• Vato Loco -- Crazy Dude/ a Person That's With it
• Vato -- Man or Boy/Guy
• Vendidos -- One Who Has Sold Out/ A Turn Coat Usually Applied to Chicanos Working for the Establishment
• Veterano -- An Older Guy Who Has Been Around
• Vida Loca -- Crazy Life (scene on tattoos)
• Viva -- "Long Live" (not slang)
• Ya Basta -- Enough (not slang)
• Ya Stuvo -- It's Over With
• Yesca/Vesca -- Marijuana/Weed
• Yierba -- Marijuana (proper Spanish for herb)
• Zacate -- Marijuana (proper Spanish for grass)

Black Street Slang

• Ace Kool -- Best Friend/Backup
• Blood -- Piru/Non-Crip
• BO -- Marijuana
• Book -- Run, Get Away, Leave
• Break -- Run, Get Away
• Breakdown -- Shotgun
• Bullet -- One Year in Custody
• Bumping Titties -- Fighting
• Busted/Popped a Cap -- Shot at Someone
• Check it Out -- Listen To What I Have To Say
• Colum -- Columbian Marijuana
• Cragared Down -- Low Rider Type Car or Full Dressed Gang Banger
• Cuzz -- Crip
• Dime Speed -- 10 Speed Bicycle
• Double Duece -- .22 Caliber Gun
• Drop a Dime -- Snitch on Someone
• Duece & a Quarter -- Buick 225 Vehicle
• Durag -- Handkerchief Wrapped Around Head
• Dusted -- Under Influence of P.C.P.
• Esseys -- Mexicans
• Everything is Everything -- It's Alright
• Four Five -- .45 Caliber
• Gang Banging -- Involved in Gang Activity
• Sherm/Wack/Liquid/Juice -- P.C.P.
• Talking Smack -- Aggressive Talking
• Tray Eight -- .38 caliber gun
• Trick/Hook -- Phoney Sissy
• Trip -- Too much/Something Else