roadman

Street maintenance laborer

A roadman is British slang for a young man, typically urban, who adopts the style and mannerisms associated with street culture—hoodies, tracksuits, slang-heavy speech, and an air of toughness.

The term originally referred to someone involved in drug dealing on the streets but has broadened to describe the aesthetic and attitude regardless of actual criminal involvement: He's not really a roadman, he just dresses like one.

Often used mockingly for suburban teens affecting the style.

slang

ting

Light, clear ring

  • wastemanWorthless, unreliable person
  • bareLacking any covering
  • famSlang for loved ones

bruv · bait · shank · ends · trap · link · dun · safe · buff · peak

music

grime

Ingrained surface dirt

  • drillHole-boring device
  • barsRods, taverns, or measures
  • flowUnbroken forward movement

Skepta · freestyle · MC · beats · cypher · mixtape · spitting · producer · garage · bassline

fashion

tracksuit

Two-piece athletic garment

  • pufferFish that expands when threatened
  • NikeTriumph personified
  • AdidasGerman athletic apparel maker

hoodie · bumbag · balaclava · manbag · joggers · trainers · snapback · pouch · huaraches · black-on-black

territory

ends

Termini or concludes

  • manorLanded aristocratic residence
  • estateProperty and grounds
  • blockSolid mass, or impede

postcode · turf · hood · area · borough · yard · strip · zone · territory · council

streetwise

savvy

Practical shrewdness

  • alertWarning or watchfulness
  • shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
  • sharpFine-edged, or astute

wary · watchful · street-smart · hustle · survival · knowing · vigilant · perceptive · cautious · on-point

crew

gang

Organized criminal group

clique · set · firm · youngers · affiliates · soldiers · associates

Categories
Opposites
SOCIAL CLASS/LIFESTYLE (UK slang sense)

roadmantoff

Mocked wealthy Brit

prep · yuppie · country gentleman · square · choirboy

CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY (UK slang sense)

roadmanwasteman

Worthless, unreliable person

pretender · poser · chav · try-hard

OCCUPATION (road worker sense)

roadmanoffice worker

Indoor professional employee

desk jockey · white-collar worker · driver · motorist · passenger

Family

man, road, roads, roadway, crossroads, off-road, roadwork, roadways, roadbed

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG