brooklynese: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Rare)Informal, often humorous or journalistic
Quick answer
What does “brooklynese” mean?
A colloquial term for the distinctive accent, dialect, and speech patterns associated with the New York City borough of Brooklyn.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colloquial term for the distinctive accent, dialect, and speech patterns associated with the New York City borough of Brooklyn.
Can refer more broadly to New York City English, especially its stereotypical features like the intrusive 'r' ('sawr it'), non-rhoticity, and specific vowel shifts (e.g., 'coffee' pronounced as 'cawfee'). It also encompasses characteristic vocabulary and grammatical constructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in American English to describe an American phenomenon. In British English, if used, it would be as a cultural reference.
Connotations
In AmE: Can be descriptive, nostalgic, or pejorative depending on context. In BrE: Would be seen as a niche Americanism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in BrE; low and context-specific in AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “brooklynese” in a Sentence
[speak/understand] + Brooklynese[adjective] + BrooklyneseBrooklynese + [is/characterized by]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brooklynese” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After years in London, he had to consciously Brooklynise his speech for the role.
- She Brooklynised the line 'forget about it' perfectly.
American English
- He Brooklynized his pronunciation to sound more authentic.
- The actor spent months learning to Brooklynize his vowels.
adverb
British English
- He said it Brooklynese-ly, dropping all his 'r's.
- (Extremely rare; usually paraphrased)
American English
- 'Cawfee,' he said, Brooklynese-ly. (Humorous/Non-standard)
- (Very rare; not standard usage)
adjective
British English
- He delivered a brilliantly Brooklynese rendition of the monologue.
- The play's dialogue had a faintly Brooklynese flavour.
American English
- Her Brooklynese inflection was unmistakable.
- He told the joke with perfect Brooklynese timing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in marketing targeting a Brooklyn demographic.
Academic
Used in sociolinguistics, dialectology, and American studies papers.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation to comment on someone's accent or origin.
Technical
Specific term in linguistics for a sub-variety of New York City English.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brooklynese”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brooklynese”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brooklynese”
- Misspelling as 'Brooklyn-ese' or 'Brooklynes'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a Brooklynese person'); correct is 'a Brooklynite with a Brooklynese accent'.
- Capitalization: Often left uncapitalized, but as a proper derivative, 'Brooklynese' is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a separate language. It is a colloquial and sometimes academic term for a distinctive sociolect and accent, a variety of English.
Yes, the word 'coffee' is stereotypically pronounced as ['kɔː.fi] (sounding like 'caw-fee'), with a raised and backed vowel.
It is a prominent subtype. 'New York accent' is broader, encompassing variations from other boroughs like Queens or The Bronx, but Brooklynese is often used as a synecdoche for the classic NYC sound.
The suffix '-ize' is the standard American English spelling for such derivations (e.g., 'Americanize'). Therefore, 'Brooklynize' (verb) is common in AmE, influencing the perception of the noun. However, the established noun form is 'Brooklynese'.
A colloquial term for the distinctive accent, dialect, and speech patterns associated with the New York City borough of Brooklyn.
Brooklynese is usually informal, often humorous or journalistic in register.
Brooklynese: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrʊk.lɪˈniːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrʊk.ləˈniːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's got Brooklynese down pat.”
- “That's pure Brooklynese.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BROOKLYN + 'ese' (like Chinese, Japanese) = the language 'of Brooklyn'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE/ACCENT IS A LOCATION ('He speaks Brooklyn'). DIALECT IS AN ENTITY ('She picked up Brooklynese').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Brooklynese' MOST appropriately used?