Shadowrun Wiki
Register
Advertisement

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.
Advertisement