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Yo, What’s Up?
Yo, how ya doing? This is a typical greeting in New York. It really isn’t a question, because no one gives a shit about “how ya doing.” New Yorkese is a language onto itself, “dees and deems.” Once you learn this language, it stays with you forever. Caw-fee is coffee in New York, but a regular caw-fee comes is with cream and sugar. There are so many nuances and when you meet a fellow New Yorker, the lingo and pronunciation return instantly.
I have been saying “Yo” all my life, “Yo Vinny, Yo Tony.” It in essence means “hey,” not hello.
I moved out west, and everyone knew where I was from. It was like having a big sign on your shirt saying, “Yo, I’m from New York.” For twenty-four years, my accent got watered down. One trip back, just one trip, and I spoke like I was auditioning for “Godfather, you can’t lose it!
I was on a social media site recently called “New Yorkers that have moved to Florida.” One of your typical bullshit sites, I seldom post anything, I just read. One time I had to answer the post when the comment was made, “If you say “y’all,’ in Florida, you are not from New York.” That I took offense to, I was offended.
First of all, out of all the New Yorkers living in Florida, I have not one, not a single one, born in New York. If you mail a letter and address it New York, New York, it goes to Manhattan, not Brooklyn, Queens of Upstate New York. I was born on 21st Street and 1st Avenue at Manhattan General Hospital. To a native Manhattanite, Central Park is upstate. When I hear, “I’m from New York,” and I ask where, “Albany,” not New York, New York,.
Yo, how y’all doing? A combo of north and south. Not only do I use y’all, I use it in writing. I have family in New Orleans and Mississippi. The ones born there taught the non-natives what to use in their speech. Not only do I say y’all, I can also explain when to use “all y’all.” Y’all are used to speaking to a small group of people; y’all know what I’m saying.” When speaking to a large crowd, it’s all y’all. “All of you.”
Yo, I hope, “All y’all got it!
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1 Reply
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You can always tell a New York by their accent. I am well! Your definition of New York was correct. The accent and slang used by New Yorkers are unique characteristics that give it away and make it attractive. Here are some things about the variations you mentioned:
Pronunciation: Caw-fee (Coffee) – Coffee in New York is pronounced as “caw-fee” to match with the city’s unique accent.
Dees and Deems – Sometimes words beginning with “th” can be pronounced with a “d” instead.
“Yo, how ya doing?” – It’s a casual greeting that usually expects a shorter response.
Regular Coffee — In New York if you order a “regular coffee” it will come to you with cream and sugar already added.
Fast-paced Conversations — New Yorkers talk fast and straight to the point.
Bluntness — Yes, conversations here can seem rude because we don’t beat around the bush but hey! That’s just how we do things in this town!
Street Talk — You might hear someone order, ‘Gimme a caw-fee, light and sweet.” in a NY diner
Everyday Interactions — On busy sidewalks or wherever people may bump into each other while walking hastily they could say something like “Hey watch where you’re going!”
Community Identity — The dialect helps foster community among New Yorkers. It’s like wearing an I heart NY shirt; it lets people know we’re all in this together!
Nostalgia and Recognition — For those who have moved away from home hearing or using these phrases can be very nostalgic and instantly recognizable among fellow NYC’ers. Also seeing famous actors play characters from Queens on TV shows or movies helped put our language on the map globally so now everyone loves us even more!
Once you have learned this dialect or been exposed to it then there is an immediate connection between two individuals who have lived within NYC because they represent much more than mere words spoken here; they are vibrant cultures thriving in one city!