The following is a non-comprehensive list of slang (unofficial terminology) used in the Sixth World. See also jargon for common more official vocabulary.
Street Slang[]
Shadowrun main setting being Seattle, these slang terms are mostly used in the UCAS and the CAS.
- arc: n. An arcology.
- arctic: adj. Good, great.
- arrow: n. Augmented Reality Object
- Azzie: n. Member of Aztechnology, derogative
- barrens: n. The bad side of town, the skids.
- beetle: m. A BTL chip.
- Big A: n. Short for Aztechnology
- Big D: n. Short for Dunkelzahn
- Big R: n. Short for Renraku
- body shop: n. An establishment offering cyberware (and bioware) implants. uUnlicensed estabilishments are called chop shops.
- breeder: n. Ork slang for a "normal" Human.
- bug: n An insect spirit
- burn out: n. a mage who has lost much of their magical ability due to installing cyberware. Also v., to lose your magical ability this way, and as an adj., "burned out."
- business: n. In slang context, crime, Also "Biz."
- buzz: v. Go away. Buzz off.
- chill: adj. Good, cool, acceptable. v. To calm oneself.
- chiphead: n. A junkie addicted to BTLs
- chip truth: n. A fact or honest statement.
- chipped: adj. Senses, skills, reflexes, muscles, and so on, enhanced by cyberware.
- chop shop: n. An unlicensed body shop.
- chrome: n. External cyberware.
- chummer n. Friend, used in the same sense as “pal” or “buddy.”
- cleaner: n. An assassin (or team) used to eliminate all traces of a mission, including the participants.
- comm: n. Short for commlink, your phone, handheld computer, music player, game device, and more in the palm of your hand.
- corp: n. Corporation., adj. Corporate
- cred n. Money. Reputation, especially good reputation.
- dandelion eater: n. Elf or elven. Highly Insulting.
- dataslave: n. Corporate decker or other data processing employee.
- datasteal: n. Theft of data from a computer, usually by decking.
- deck: n. A cyberdeck. Or, v. To use a cyberdeck, usually illegally.
- deckhead: n. Simsense abuser; anyone with a datajack or chipjack.
- delta: n. Highest quality of wetware.
- drek: n. (vul) feces, excrement, as in "bulldrek!" or "drek-for-brains". adj: Drekky
- dump: v. To be involuntarily ejected from the Matrix.
- dumpshock: n. Nausea and disorientation from being Dumped out of a simsense interface (usually the Matrix or a remote control rig)
- exec: n. Corporate executive.
- face: n. A shadowrunner specializing in social interaction.
- fetishman: n. A talismonger.
- frag: v. Common swear word; To desire or take joy in someone's death. Adj: Fragging. Derived from "Frag"-grenade.
- fragged: adj. (vul) Broken, in trouble.
- geek: v. To kill.
- go-gang: n. A motorized gang.
- go-go-go: n. A bike gang or gang member.
- halfer: n. Dwarf or dwarven. Racially derogative.
- heatwave: n. Police crackdown.
- hoi: interj. (Dutch) Familiar greeting
- hoop: n. (vul) A common curse word referring to a person's backside.
- hose: v. Louse up. Screw up.
- ice: n. Security software. "Intrusion Countermeasures," or IC.
- to get iced: v. To get killed by IC.
- jack: v. jack in, or enter cyberspace. jack out, or to leave cyberspace.
- jander: v. To walk in an arrogant yet casual manner; to strut.
- Japanacorps: n Slang for Japanese AAA-corporations
- keeb: n. (vul) An Elf. From "Keebler Elves." Highly insulting.
- kobun: n (Japanese). Member of a Yakuza clan.
- link: n. Short for commlink
- meat: n. An unwired individual, or the physical part of a Matrix user in VR.
- Mr. Johnson: n. Refers to an anonymous employer or corporate agent.
- meshed adj. Online, connected to the Matrix.
- meta(s): n. Short for metahumanity.
- mundane: n. (vul) Non-magician or non-magical.
- norm: n. Human.
- nuyen: n. World standard of currency.
- omae: n. (Japanese) Friend.
- oyabun: n. (Japanese) Head of a Yakuza clan.
- panzer: n. Any ground-effect combat vehicle.
- pawn: n. (derogatory) Street slang for Knight Errant of officers
- paydata: n. A datafile worth money on the black market.
- pixie: n. (vul) An elf. An elf poser. Or a pixie.
- plex: n. A metropolitan complex, short for "metroplex".
- poli: n. A policlub (political action group) or policlub member.
- razorgirl: n. A female with extensive combat enhancements.
- razorguy n. A male with extensive combat enhancements.
- roke: adj. Overly elaborate or unnecessarily detailed. From a shortening of Baroque.
- run: n: Short for shadowrun.
- runner: n. Short for shadowrunner.
- salaryman: n. see sarariman
- sam: n. Short for samurai
- samurai: n. (Japanese) Mercenary or muscle for hire. Implies honor code.
- sarariman: n. (Engrish) A corporate employee. From mispronunciation of salaryman.
- screamer: n. Credstick or other ID that triggers computer alarms if used.
- scrip: n. A currency that is not nuyen, usually referring to currency issued by a megacorporation.
- seoul man: n. A member of a Seoulpa ring.
- shadowrun: n. an illegal operation
- shaikujin: n. (Japanese) Lit. "Honest citizen." A corporate employee.
- SINless: adj. Lacking a System Identification Number
- SINner: n. A person with a SIN. An honest person.
- slot: n. Mild curse word. v. To insert a chip or credstick into chip or credstick reading device.
- slot and run: v. Hurry up. Get to the point. Move it.
- so ka: (Japanese) I understand. I get it.
- spellworm: n. Derogative term for a mage
- spider: n. Corporate decker or rigger, usually tasked with defense of corporate facilities.
- sprawl: n. a metroplex (see plex); v. fraternize below one's social level.
- squat: n. Abandoned urban area used for housing. (vul) A dwarf.
- squatter: n. a resident of a squat
- squishy n. (vul) A dwarf, elf, or human. Usually used by orks and trolls.
- Star, the: n. The police. Originally referring to Lone Star specifically.
- static: n. Trouble, usually social in nature.
- street doc: n An unlicensed physician.
- street samurai: n. A shadowrunner or merc specializing in melee or ranged combat without the magic enhancement
- suit: n. A "straight citizen." See Shaikujin, Sarariman.
- swag adj. Awesome.
- System Identification Number (SIN): n. Identification number assigned to each person in the society.
- Talislegging: n. The underground trade in telesma and other magical objects
- T-bird: n. Low-altitude vehicle (LAV), usually vectored thrust. Named after but not to be confused with a paracritter Thunderbird.
- trid, trideo: n. Holographic animated media; Three-dimensional successor to video.
- trog: n. (vul) An Ork or Troll. From "troglodyte." Highly insulting.
- tusker: n. Ork. Racially derogatory.
- vatjob: n. A person with extensive cyberware replacement, reference is to a portion of the process during which the patient must be submerged in nutrient fluid.
- wagemage: n. A magician (usually mage) employed by a corporation.
- wageslave: n. A low-level corporate employee.
- wetware: n Cyberware, also bioware.
- wetwork: n. Assassination. Murder.
- wired: adj. Equipped with cyberware, especially increased reflexes.
- wiz adj. Wonderful, excellent.
- wizkid n. A young mage, probably a teenager.
- wizgang: n. A gang composed only of magically active members.
- wizard: n. A magician, usually a mage
- wizworm: n. slang. A dragon.
- wyrm: n. Another slang for a dragon.
- Yak: n. (Japanese) Yakuza. Either a clan member or a clan itself.
Street Slang Around the World[]
England[]
Found in London Sourcebook (published in 1991, takes place in 2052). Current edition (6th) takes place in 2080. Keep in mind that language changes!
- Ace, acing: adj. Rubbish
- Aggro: n. Trouble
- Bagger, baggle: n. Policeman
- Baldrick: n. Ork (derogatory)
- Banging: adj. Superb
- Barefoot: adj. Unarmed, Innocent
- Blood: n. ambulance, doctor
- Box: v. To kill
- (The) box: n. Trideo screen, computer
- Boxed: adg. Dead, broken, useless
- Brum: n. Birmingham
- C-net: n. Major part of U.K. Matrix
- Demi-tech: n. Cannibalised technology
- Dino: n. Unarmed policeman
- Dodgy: adj. Risky, unsafe, borderline illegal
- Downtime: n. Night
- DX: n. area far away
- Elvis: adj. Dead (e.g. “He was Elvis”)
- Flip: v. Mug, rob, cheat
- Fluff: n. pollution, bad weather
- FRO: v. vulg. Go away
- Gator: n. Big-mouth
- Gonk (out): v. Sleep
- Gopi: n. Young Asian Girl
- Gopping: adj. Dirty, polluted
- (Go) whiteline: v. To kill, stop
- Haircut: n. Corporate employee
- Hilda: n. Female troll (derogatory)
- Home: n. (archaic) Friend; also adj.
- Jam hole: n. Hiding place
- Jammie: n. Vehicle
- Ken: n. Corporate worker (derogatory)
- Kyile: n. Young British girl (derogatory)
- Mellow: n. Stupid, air-headed person (derogatory)
- Mop out: v. To hide
- On: adj. Fashionable
- Open: adj. Crawling with police, generally unsafe
- Orbital: n. Outer London
- Oppos: n. Enemies
- Overground: n. Central London (street level)
- Pitch: n. Corporate-administered area
- Pixie: n. elf (derogatory)
- Plazzy: n. Useless (derogatory)
- Proff: v. To steal
- Rags: n. Cigarettes. Also drugs
- Rak, rakkie: n. jerk, suburbanite (derogatory)
- Rak off: v. Go away (derogatory); also Rakking adj. useless
- Roller: n. Rich person
- Rub: v. To have sex relations; also Rubbing adj. and Rub off/out v.
- Safe: adj. (archaic) Cool, OK, I agree
- Sate: n. Friend
- Sandal: n. Druid (derogatory)
- Scoob: n. Drinks
- Sensi: n. The Matrix. Also drugs (archaic)
- Sep, septic: n. American
- Shazzy: adj. Cheap (esp. A person); also n.
- Sherbet: n. Drinks
- Slabside: n. Busy city or sprawl centre
- Slamming: adj. Fast, good
- Slim: adj. Weak
- Slint, slinty: n. Major creep (derogatory); also adj.
- The Smoke: n. London
- Snag: v. To arrest
- Snakeboy (-girl): n. Street kid
- Sov: n. Pound (sterling)
- Spammed: v. Made to look a fool
- Spin it: v. vulg Get out of here
- Spit: n. Rain
- Spitside: n. Street-level (seen from below)
- Splash: v. To blow up, hit, strike
- Square: v. To kill, stop
- The Squeeze: n. Lambeth Containment Zone (SE London)
- Squid: n. Troll (derogatory)
- Stan: n. Male troll (derogatory)
- Steam: v. To mug, steal
- Steaming: adj. Drunk
- Stiff: v. To cheat, swindle
- Stretch: n. Rastafarian
- Strip: n. Built-up area
- Swiss: adj. Expensive
- SX: n. Essex (area east of London)
- Templar: n. Officer for Lord Protector
- Term: n. Friend, trusted person
- Terminal: adj. Good, great
- Trancer: n. Substance addict
- Trid: n. Trideo
- Ulu: n. Middle of nowhere
- Wilma: n. Suburban housewife
- Wraith: v. To kill
- Zoo: n. Shopping mall.
Germany[]
Found in Germany Sourcebook (published in 1993, takes place in 2054). Current edition (6th) takes place in 2080. Keep in mind that language changes!
- Abflug!: get lost.
- Affengeil (ahfenguile): adj. See Geil below.
- AG: abbr. "Aktiengesellschaft,“ meaning stock corporation, and ÖAG, meaning the corp is partly publicly held.
- Alter (ulter): n. Literally "old one”; chummer, term, man, and so on, as in “Listen up, alter!” The feminine version is alte (ulte).
- Basta (bustah): n. An expression borrowed from Italian, meaning “The discussion is closed.”
- Bölkstoff (blkstoff): n. North German (Hamburg and above) slang for alcoholic beverages, especially beer.
- Bulle (bulla): n. pl bullen. Literally, “bull”; a police officer. Most Europeans equate policemen with cattle; for example, the French slang term “vache” means cow.
- Deer (dare-n): n. North German term for girl or woman.
- Ebbi (abby): n. Colloquial term for the European Cashfree Transactor ECT, the equivalent of an American credstick (derived from the German-language abbreviation EBZ)
- Geil (guile): adj. Used in connection with a thing or condition, as in “a geil deck,” it means wiz, heavy, and so on. Used in connection with a person, as in “a geil little chica,” or oneself, as in “I'm geil,” it means sexy or turned on. Sometimes, the variant goil (see below) is used to mean wiz. The word affengeil is a variant for both meanings.
- GmbH: abbr. From “Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung,” a limited liability company.
- Goil: adj. See Geil, above.
- Junge (yoonga): n. Literally “boy”; can mean chummer, or serve as a general exclamation of excitement as in 'Boy, oh boy!“
- KG: abbr. From "Kommanditgesellschaft,” limited partnership.
- Klampfe (clumpfuh): n. Acoustic guitar; positive or neutral when used by folk singers and their audiences, derogatory when used by most other people.
- Kleiner (cline-er): n. Literally, “little one.” A condescending form of address. The feminine form is kleine (cline-uh).
- Kumpel (koomple): n. Buddy; also slang for a miner, especially a coal miner. Used mostly in the Ruhr area.
- Herr Schmidt (harr shmit): n. Equivalent to Mr. Johnson, literally translated “Mr. Smith”.
- Land (lund): n. pl. länder (lender). Member state(s) of the German Alliance; used before the foundation of the AGS (Allied German States) to denote the states of the former Federal Republic of Germany.
- Mann (munn): n. Man.
- Merde (mayrd): n. A French expression, meaning “shit.” This word is one of the few French expressions still used in german slang.
- Naki (nuck tea): n. Member of the extreme right-wing terrorist group Nationale Aktion (National Action).
- Nee (nay): n. Low german “no”; used throughout northern and western Germany.
- OHG: abbr. From “Offene Handelsgesellschaft,” general partnership.
- POM Dependent: adj. In decker slang, phase-of-moon dependent means lunatic, crazy.
- Shosan (shozun): n. Japanese. Result. This term has recently become popular among German riggers.