A comprehensive ‘slang dictionary’ outlining gang terminology has been introduced as evidence in a Birmingham murder trial, shedding light on coded language used by rival postcode gangs.
The glossary includes over 40 terms, ranging from everyday slang such as ‘yard’—meaning someone’s home—to more serious words like ‘wet’ and ‘splash,’ which both signify stabbing.
The list was presented during the trial of 18-year-old Oumar Traore, accused of fatally stabbing 19-year-old Yassin Alama on Hutton Road, Handsworth, on November 16 last year when Traore was 17.
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Court hearings have revealed Traore, nicknamed ‘Omizz,’ is linked to the ‘B20’ gang associated with Handsworth. Meanwhile, the victim, Alama, was believed to be connected to a rival gang from Aston.
PC Gareth Evans, a seasoned gang intelligence officer with over a decade of experience, testified to clarify these slang terms found in texts and social media related to the case.
He explained that ‘zk’ stands for ‘zombie knife,’ while ‘nizzy’ and ‘Mindi’ (a Somali word) both mean ‘knife’. The term ‘chete’ refers to a ‘machete.’
Other slang translations presented to the jury included ‘jakes,’ ‘flizz,’ and ‘Feds’ for ‘police,’ with ‘undies’ indicating undercover officers.
Words like ‘wet,’ ‘splash,’ and ‘yinged’ were identified as terms for stabbing, whereas ‘slapping’ meant shooting.
Additionally, ‘packed,’ ‘smoke,’ and ‘duppy’ implied killing someone, and ‘M’ was short for murder.
Oumar Traore denies all charges including murder and possession of a knife in public. The trial is ongoing as the court continues to examine the evidence.