The hit series “Reservation Dogs,” created by Sterling Harjo and Taika Waititi, has accomplished something few other shows have: it's managed to introduce a mainstream audience to Native American culture without leaning on reductionist stereotypes.
The third and final season is now streaming on Hulu! Sad to see this show end, but what a show!
The show's mass appeal is undeniable but it still manages to “feel Native,” and it's prompting a wave of praise from critics and fans alike. Look no further than the show's use of Native American or “NDN” slang.
Words such as “Skoden” (Meaning “Let's go then!”) should resonate with the show's legion of indigenous fans. But while these words and phrases could present stumbling blocks for many of the show's Non-Native viewers, that hasn't stopped the writers from making something unapologetically NDN. And the show is better for it.
As with most languages, slang terms are often unique to a specific generation, and in the case of Native slang, a specific reservation. The impact of slang words and phrases can tie a community together and form a part of its identity. While some words and expressions fade in time, others take on a life of their own.
Typically, slang origins can be traced back to a specific incident that yields a certain strand of colorful, informal speech. It reflects the attitudes of the people, groups, and subcultures of the community—and sometimes, the current political climate and pop culture. Languages—especially indigenous ones—are generally vibrant and expressive, which adds an extra flair to many words and phrases. The combination of cultures, current themes in the neighborhood, and lifestyles can yield some very amusing NDN slang terms.
Shows such as “Reservation Dogs” and “Rutherford Falls” along with the influence of other cultures and the internet, will likely only give these words and phrases new life.
Here are some NDN slang words and phrases you may recognize, some of which you may have heard on “Reservation Dogs”:
All my relations: We are all connected (Lakota)
Ace: Cool
Auntie: May or may not be related, but respected female
Ayyyyyesss: A big sigh when something goes wrong
Apple: Red on the outside, white on the inside
Big Warrior: Taking the mantle of a warrior too seriously
Blank: Drunk
Blue Bling: Turquoise jewelry
Beesh: Looking ugly
Brah: Brother
Chooch: Immature male
Cousin/Cuz: Family relation
Chun D/Chun: Cigarette
Chebon: Man
Chuppa: Chubby or fat
Coconut: Brown on the outside, white on the inside
Crusty: Looking ugly or lame
Deadly: Excellent
Eeeee: Scary
Elder: Reserved for our older respected tribal members
Err: Really gross
Eversick: Attitude or funny
FBI: Full-blooded Indian
Feds: FBI
Frogskin: Money
Gah: You’re stupid
Gaga: Boogeyman
Get Ins: Hooking up
Half-off: Are you crazy? (Also, weird)
Haffer: Half Native
Howah: Shocked/surprised
Head out: Just leave
Hunta: Hurry up
Howah: Wow
Ick: Gross
Imareala: BIA card-carrying jerk that brags about having a card and is rude to others who don’t
Indian Taco: Fry bread with anything you can find in the kitchen
Kaw: Really/not even
Medicine Man/Woman: A spiritual healer, herbalist or anyone who has undergone training to be a healer. Also called an Indian (NDN) doctor.
Naaaayyy or Aaayyy: When something is funny
NDN: Indian
NGE: Non-government enrolled
Ohee: So stupid, so ugly
Rez: Reservation
Rezzy: Defective or broke
Rez Dog: Abandoned reservation dogs or someone that is always in the Rez.
Rez boot: Mocassins
Rezzed Out: Done
Snag: Hooking up
Shacked up: Living together
Sav: Very ghetto
Squaybe: getting drunk
Stiff: Drinking with friends
Supden: What’s up then
Skoden: Let’s go then
Stoodis: Let’s do this
Skoden T-Shirt
Treaty talk: White man’s lie
Uncle: May or may not be an immediate family member
Zee: When you reject someone
Zif: As if
Featured Image Credit: Jeremy Dennis of The New York Times — Devery Jacobs, D'Pharoah Woon-A-Tai, Paulina Alexis and Lane Factor, who star in “Reservation Dogs,” are photographed in New York, June 15, 2021.
Last Updated on August 25, 2023 by Paul G
Tom
says:Hey the gum chewing lady behind the community check-in desk keeps saying something like “ndo” or “ndoe,” nadow” something like that; what does that mean? She kept saying something out of the blue and that was what I heard in ep7. Rez Dogs is possibly the best show anywhere right now! So smart and deep, which leads to great humor.
Tom
says:Ha, found it! Then forgot it, then found it again. Wado = thank you in Cherokee
Sandi Fioti
says:Enjoyed the read on the slang. I haven’t seen “Reservation Dogs”. We don’t have Hulu. Thanks for articles.
Kathleen E King
says:It is difficult to pick a “favorite” because this is simply a superb ensemble piece of acting. One thing I have noticed is how much “Cheese” has physically grown from the youngster who started the role, and grown as an actor too. I would very much hope we get to see him “grow” some more in future episodes! “Knifeman” the Spirit Warrior is just perfect; too many people do not realize that Native Americans are funny, delight in dark humor, and deserve respect for making tragedy into comedic courage. Then there is Willie Jack …tough and tender. But Zahn McClarnon, one cannot say enough wonderful things about a man who can without moving a muscle portrays the full gamut of character! MORE, more, more and it Res Dogs doesn’t win everything in honors this year……well, n’uff said. Stoodis indeed.
Rob
says:Might as: Might as well go then
Sgwe; awesome cool great
Tugay: penis
Miwasin: awesome
Aho: thank you