Glossary Of CyberPunk Slang

Originally Posted By: Mark F. Cook Updates by Shard.

Terms - "Numbers & Symbols"

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Term Meaning 2020 Hindsight - ph. The wise act of watching your back. 404 - adj. (Net) Being clueless or lost (e.g. "He's 404, man").

Terms - "A"

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Term Meaning Absolver - n. A person who liberates others from their SINs, a.k.a. a Shoemaker Ace - n. 1) An expert in the field. 2) Friend, buddy, pal. Aces - adj. The very best. Ace of Spades - ph. Solo term for death in combat. To "draw the ace" is to die in battle. "Drawing the ace" is a short-hand expression with the same meaning. Aesthetics - n. Simple cosmetic surgery. AI - n. Artificial Intelligence. A computer or network-based entity, originally designed to solve complex problems, that has achieved self-awareness. Usually under the control of a megacorp, but not always (see Rogue). Airfilm - n. Shorthand term for an narrow air-cushion train. Alien - n. Derogatory grounder term for someone who lives in space (a highrider). AMF - ph. "Adios, *expletive*". Good-bye. Typically derogatory. Angel - n. A benefactor, especially an unknown one. AniMan, AniMen - n. Derogatory term for a body sculpted individual who resembles an animal form. Apter - n. Pronunciation of the acronym APTR (Augmented Program Trained Reflex). (Syn. skillsoft or reflex chip.) This type of chip provides new reflex-based skills for the user. Arc, Arco - n. An arcology. A self-contained living environment, usually pyramidal or domed. May belong to a corporation, government agency, or non-profit organization. Arnold, Arnie - n. An individual with augmented musculature. AV - n. Pronounced "Aie-Vee", shorthand term for a variety of hover-vans.

Terms - "B"

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Term Meaning BA - n. Pronounced "Bee-Aye", shorthand for either Bad-Ass or Black Agent. Badge - n. Police or corporate security. Bagged and Tagged - ph. To die. Bakebrain - n. General purpose derogatory term indicating someone with limited or damaged mental faculties (frequently due to excessive use of neural cyberware). (Syn. asshole, idiot, jerk, moron.) Ballerina - n. A reflex boosted female assassin in the employ of a major corp. Banshee - n. Another name for an AV, comes from the screaming sound of the jet engines. `Base - n. Database. B.B. - Abbv. Either "Big Brother" or "Boys in Black". See Boys in Black. B-D - v. Breakdown. Bennie - n. An out-of-towner (see Gaijin). Berserkide - n. Any combat drug, particularly Black Lace. (Syn. freakers.) Bioroid - n. A full-body conversion cyborg. Biosoft - n. 1) Cybernetic software chips that incorporate biological components in their construction. Thought to be superior in performance to purely artificial chips. 2) Generic term for any cyber-data chip which plugs into a neural processor to provide new skills or knowledge (also known as microsofts and skillsofts). Bit Jockey - ph. Programmer. Bitty Box - ph. A primitive, underpowered, or generally useless computer or other electronic device. Black, Big Black - ph. (HR) Space. The final frontier. Where no man... well, you get the idea. Black Agent - n. (Corp) An illegal operative. Black Ice - n. Illegal countermeasure software which causes physical harm or death to an intruder (see Ice). Black Clinic - n. A medical facility which specializes in the implant of illegal or unregistered cyberware. Blade - n. 1) A professional soldier or fighter, specializing in edged weapons. 2) A surgeon or doctor. Blank - n. An individual without a SIN. Blood Money - ph. Income from the illegal sale of organs to a body bank. Blue Moon - ph. An honest Night City police officer. Body Bank - n. A storage facility for transplant organs. Many are illegal and actively `recruit' new merchandise. Booster - n. Any gang member who displays a strong affinity for cyberware. `Borg - n. See Bioroid. `Borg'ed - v. Excessive use of cybernetic body modifications. Bourgie, Bourgy - adj. Common or low-class (from bourgeoisie). Boys in Black - ph. Arasaka security personnel. Brain Potato - ph. A Braindance addict. Bridge & Tunnel Crowd - ph. Commuters. Brother - n. See B.B. BTL chip - n. A `Better Than Life' chip (also called `DreamChips'). An illegal cyber-data chip which provides the user a combination of artificial reality coupled with direct stimulation of different centers of the brain. Though typically designed to provide a pre-programmed fantasy, the artificial reality need not be coherent, i.e. it can provide a totally hallucinatory environment. Chips are typically designed to burn out after one use, both to prevent the users brain from overloading from the sustained stimulation, and to force the user to purchase additional chips. BTL chips are psychologically addictive and repeated, frequent use causes permanent brain damage. Bronze - n. Slang (usually derogative) term for law enforcement officials. Breetva - n. (Rus.) Razor. Anyone with combat-oriented cyberware. Bruce - v. Pronunciation of the hacker acronym BRS (Big Red Switch). 1) To deactivate a machine. 2) To kill someone or render them senseless. Buck Rogers - ph. Derogatory phrase for an individual (usually a Solo) obsessed with high-tech weaponry. Bullet-Stopper - ph. See Guardian Angel. Bushi - n. (Jap) Honor or Code of Honor. A key concept for most edgerunners, as they frequently have little else to call their own at times. Business, `Biz' - n. In slang context, crime. Buttonhead - n. See Wirehead. Buzz - v. Buzz off. Go away. Leave.

Terms - "C"

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Term Meaning Can Opener - n. Heavy weapons used to take out 'borgs and ACPA. Card - 1) n. SIN Card. 2) v. To demand that a person show their personal identification. Carpet - n. A electronic warfare jamming device. Castrato - n. See Muzak-Man. Catalog - n. A Class-A information dossier. Causing static - ph. Starting trouble. Cement poisoning - ph. What a person dies of after being pushed off of a multi-story building and hitting the sidewalk. Also known as deceleration trauma. Chalk outline - ph. See Sidewalk outline. Check out - ph. To die. Chinese Take-out - ph. Anything extremely jumbled or messy. (e.g. "That riot gun made his chest look like Chinese take-out."). Chipped - adj. Senses, skills, reflexes, and so on, enhanced by cyberware. Choombata, Choomba n. (Bantu) Friend. Buddy. Choo - n. Slang for CHOOH-2, a synthetic meta-alcohol fuel. Choob - n. Jerk, nerd, weirdo. Chop - n. A credcard or credchip. Chop shop - n. A black clinic. Chopping - v. The process of cracking a stolen credcard or credchip. Chow Chit - n. See Kibble Card. Chrome - n. 1) Flash, glitter, bells and whistles, tinsel. Material used to spice up the appearance of something. 2) Sexy features on a program, not needed for functionality but radiating style (e.g. a guillotine instead of a trash can icon). 3) Generic reference to cyberware. Chrome-Bangers - n. Derogatory term for the C-SWAT team or "psychosquad". (Syn. "Circuit Breakers".) Chromer - n. A member of a gang dedicated to hard (chromatic) rock music (usually a specific band) and mindless violence. The original `party animals'. Chuck - n. Caucasian person. Usually derogatory. Chummer - n. `Pal' or `Buddy'. May be used sarcastically. Chunking - v. Eating on the run, eating as a secondary activity. CIRS - n. Cybernetic Implant Rejection Syndrome: a psychotic aberration suffered by excessive users of cyberware. Collar - n. (Derogatory) A white-collar worker, usually a low-level employee of a megacorp. Combat Zones - n. Areas of urban decay in major cities, characterized by high crime rates, unmaintained streets and buildings, poor police overage, high concentrations of homeless people, and frequent outbreaks of (often gang-related) violence. Comm - n. Telephone. Config - v. (HR) To arrange something. Corp - n. Corporation. Corpse - n. A corporate executive, a CORPorate Sleaziness expert. Cortex bomb - n. A small, implanted explosive device (usually in the skull) that detonates in response to a timer or remote signal. Usually implanted against the wearer's will to keep them in line. Most cortex bombs will detonate automatically if tampered with. Count Zero Interrupt - ph. (Net) A useless piece of code, usually leftovers from the early stages of programming. Sometimes useful in cracking the program's defences. Cowboy - n. A very hot, professional deckjockey. Coyote - n. (Mex.) Some who smuggles (usually illegal immigrants) across the U.S./Mexico border. Crease - v. To kill. - Creased: Killed. Cred - n. Money, typically electronic funds. Credcard - n. A personal electronic debit card commonly carried in place of actual currency. Credchip - n. See credcard. Credstick - n. See credcard. CSC - n. A "Computer Sabotage Consultant". A tactful form of address for a netrunner. See Deckjockey. Culture Vulture - ph. A member of the media. Curse, the - n. CIRS. C-YA - ph. Pronounced as "see ya", acronym for "Cover Your Ass". Cyberaxe - n. Any musical instrument (although typically a guitar) that is equipped with a cybernetic interface. Cyberdeck - n. Hardware used to access cyberspace through a DNI link. Cyberpsychosis - n. A psychotic aberration suffered by excessive users of cyberware (see CIRS). Cyberspace - n. 1) The conceptual space within a computer. 2) The conceptual medium within which computer communication takes place, e.g. Electronic Bulletin Boards, online services, databases, or in general the program space of any computer which can run a communication program. 3) A slang term for the global computer network. Cyberware - n. Any cybernetic/bionic body implant which replaces or augments a specific body function. Cylon - n. Derogatory term for corporate security personnel.

Terms - "D"

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Term Meaning Daddy - n. An `add-on' chip; a cyber-data chip containing a programmed skill which augments existing skills or provides new ones. These chips provide `instant' training of a normally unknown ability (i.e. flying a jet). Dark, the - n. (HR) Space. (See Big Black.) DDR - n. An expert in "Difficult Data Retrieval". A tactful form of address for a netrunner. See Deckjockey. Dead Presidents - n. Old (pre-collapse) United States paper currency. Deceleration trauma - ph. See Cement poisoning. Deck - n. See cyberdeck. Decker - n. See Deckjockey. Deckhead - n. 1) A SimSense abuser. 2) Anyone with a datajack or chipjack. 3) Derogatory term for a netrunner. Deckjockey - n. An expert cyberdeck user, usually a specialist and covertly accessing and stealing from corporate databases. Deep Reality - ph. The real world we live in. As opposed to the realities we create for ourselves within our minds (e.g. fantasy games) and in our processors (e.g. Cyberspace). DeeVee - v. Devalue. To make something worthless. Delta - n. A smuggling aircraft. Deltajock - n. A hotshot pilot. Derm - n. An adhesive skin patch used to apply medication. De-Rezz - v. 1) To terminate a program. 2) To kill someone. DI - n. Digital Intelligence. A computer intelligence made up of the recorded knowledge of one or more human experts. This is less complex and expensive than developing an AI. Die of the measles - ph. In military parlance, an assassination which makes the death appear to be of natural causes. Dirtside - n. (HR) A reference to a planetary surface (as opposed to space). Dirtsider - n. (HR) Derogatory term for someone who rarely or never is in space. Dirty - adj. 1) Derogatory term for low-tech (paper & pencil, walking, etc.) 2) Any traceable illegal item. 3) Contaminated. Dis - v. Disrespect; to treat with disrespect. Disappear - v. To cause a person, and all known references to that person, to become difficult or impossible to find. Disturbance in the Force - ph. 1) (Net) An interrupt in data transfer. 2) (Net) Unexplained Net phenomena, a gibson. DNI - n. Direct Neural Interface. Do *someone* Ugly - ph. To beat up or be beaten up (e.g. "Boy, somebody sure did him ugly!") Dock - v. (HR) To have sex. `Dorph - n. A synthetic analogue for endorphins (organic painkillers produced naturally by the human body). Used to suppress pain and shock. Addictive. `Dorpher - n. Member of a gang primarily identified by their heavy and frequent drug use. Very unpredictable. Double Tap - v. To kill cleanly with a single gunshot (ref. entry and exit wounds). (E.g. "Someone double tapped him right between the eyes.") Doughboy/girl - n. Derogatory term for someone wearing too much body armor. Download - v. See Fuse. Downtime - n. Free time; off the job. Draga - adj. (Hungarian) Expensive. Drek - n. Common curse word (archaic `shit'). adj: drekky. Drig - v. Copulation. Expletive. Dumped - v. Involuntarily ejected from the matrix.

Terms - "E"

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Term Meaning Eddies - n. Phonetic pronunciation of "EDs", meaning Eurodollars. Edge - n. The fringe of society, where many engage in illegal or semi-legal acts or life-styles. Edgerunner - n. Someone who lives on the edge. Edgezone - n. A strip, grey area, area of potential "coolness". Euro - n. Eurodollars. Eurodollar - n. The most commonly accepted standard currency in the modern world. Exotic - n. An obviously biosculpted individual, usually with non-human features (fangs, fur, tail, etc.).

Terms - "F"

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Term Meaning Faceman - n. A sub-fixer in the employ of a major fixer, supporting that superiors network. Ferryman - n. Term for an expert assassin. Believed to be derived from the famed Eurosolo Charon, who took his handle from the figure in Greek mythology who ferried the dead across the river Styx to Hades. Fixer - n. A go-between, deal maker, information broker. Also a fence or mover of illegal goods. Flash - 1) v. Anything spectacular (e.g. "That deck has a lot of flash!") 2) n. Hard currency (e.g. "Loan me some flash.") Flatline - n. A state of death (ref. flat EEG traces upon brain-death) which may refer to either a machine (usually a deck or other computer) or a person. Usually a result of an encounter with black ice during a netrun. v. To die. Flea - n. (Net) A non-netrunner who accompanies a netrunner on a netrun by using a `trode set. Floor Routine - ph. From gymnastics, a (usually futile) attempt to dodge automatic weapons fire. Fodder - n. A derogatory term fixers use for solos. Fold - 1) n. A slang term for flexible (paper or plastic) currency. 2) v. To shut down something or someone (e.g. "This operation is about to fold.") Foot, Feet - n. Derogatory term for police. (From flatfoot.) Footprint - n. A characteristic `hacking' style; consisting of such elements as speed, number and length of pauses, commonly-appearing commands, words, phrases, and mistakes. Force, The - n. 1) Electric power. 2) Net skills ("The Force is strong in him") Fossil - n. 1) An elderly person. 2) Someone who refuses to give up old ways. 3) Any old or obsolete item. Frag - v. 1) Common curse word. adj: Fragging. 2) To kill someone with a fragmentation grenade. Freakers - n. See Berserkide. Fred - n. 1) Any straight, unimaginative citizen, usually a shirt. 2) An elder person or someone who clings to outmoded ideas or practices (from Fred Flintstone). See Fossil. Frob - v. To alter control settings in a random or mischievous fashion. Furball - n. 1) Any sort of confusion, snarl-up, or traffic jam. 2) An intense, chaotic battle. Fuse - v. To kill someone possessing large quantities of cyberware. (Syn. "short-circ" or "download".)

Terms - "G"

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Term Meaning Gaijin - n. (Jap.) A derogatory term for a foreigner or outsider. Garbage Detail - ph. (Corp) A retaliatory raid, usually against a streetgang or street-ronin, which takes corporate solos into non-corporate controlled parts of the city. (Syn. "trash run".) Gato - n. (Spanish) A smooth operator, cool person; a Fixer. Geek - v. To kill or die. Gewalt - n. (Ger.) Violence. Ghost - n. A deckjockey who assists a `physical entry team' by entered and controlling the computer of the target site. Ghost in the Machine - ph. (Net) See Gibson (2). Gibson - n. 1) Someone who tells the future; a psychic. 2) (Net) Unexplained phenomena in the Net. (Syn. "Ghost in the Machine".) Giri - n. (Jap.) A debt of honor; duty or obligation. Glock - n. A pistol. Go LEO. ph. To make a trip into Low Earth Orbit. Gomi - n. (Jap.) Junk, garbage. Gonk - n. Idiot or fool. GoTo - n. A dossier, usually illegally compiled. Gothic - n. A member of a posergang whose motif is death and old black & white movies. Grok - v. See suss. Grounder - n. A (usually derogatory) term used by highriders for planet-side residents. Guardian Angel - ph. Solo on a bodyguard job. (Syn. "bullet-stopper".) Gumby - n. From Monty Python, an act of minor but conspicuous stupidity (e.g. "Pulling a gumby.")

Terms - "H"

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Term Meaning Hackware - n. Software produced by amateurs. Distinguished by the fact that it works and is ready 2 years before the professional versions Characterized by non-standard code, lack of comments, and great chrome. Hairball - n. See Furball. Hard - adj. Cool, hip, tough. A flattering term. Hardsuit - n. A suit of powered-armor. Harry - adj. Complimentary term applied to an especially lethal piece of hardware. Hexed - adj. 1) Afflicted with cyberpsychosis. 2) Obsessed with the Net. Highrider - n. Someone who lives or works in space (typically, all of their life). Holo - n. 1) A holographically generated image. 2) A Eurodollar. Hound-Tipping - n. Popular street practice of ambushing and reprogramming police robohounds. Hose - 1) v. Make a mistake; screw up. 2) adj. To spray someone with automatic weapons fire. Hydro, H - n. Shorthand term for hydrogen fuel.

Terms - "I"

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Term Meaning Ice - n. Security software. Intrusion Countermeasures, or IC. Icebreaker - n. Any program or software designed to penetrate or foil ice. Imperial entanglements - ph. 1) (Net) Trouble with NetWatch. 2) (HR) Trouble with ESA or other space agencies. Imperium - n. 1) (Net) Internet and NetWatch. 2) (HR) ESA, NASA, USAF, SRC and other national space agencies that try to rule the independent workshackers. Indie - n. Independent, underground, self-employed. Info Bro - n. Information broker. Input - n. Girlfriend, female companion. Iron - n. Usually weapons, but can also refer to vehicles. Iron, Big - n. Heavy duty weapons or vehicles.

Terms - "J"

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Term Meaning Jack - 1) v. Jack In, or enter cyberspace. Jack Out, or leave cyberspace. 2) n. A DNI connection (usually in the skull) for a cyberdeck. 3) n. Money. Jake - n. 1) A homosexual prostitute. 2) A hustler. (Both uses are derogatory.) Jam - v. 1) To fight or run away. 2) To have sex. Jedi - n. (Net) An esteemed Netrunner (see Force). (HR) An esteemed Highrider. Jock, Jockey - n. A person with technical skills of a high order (e.g. deckjockey, deltajock, panzerjock). JoyBoy/JoyGirl - n. Prostitute. Juggalo - n. A name Bozo gangers use for themselves.

Terms - "K"

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Term Meaning Keiretsu - n. (Jap.) A corporate, cartel, or conglomerate. Khorosho - adj. (Rus.) Good. OK. Fine. Kibble Card - ph. Government food ration card. Klepto, Kleptoid - n. Thief, prowler. Kludge - n. A makeshift or temporary solution to a problem, usually sloppy and inefficient. Krovvy - adj. (Rus.) Bloody.

Terms - "L"

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Term Meaning Latch Jockey - ph. Digital hardware designer Leash - n. A corporate safeguard implanted into an employee to ensure loyalty and continued service. Cortex bombs and sabotaged chipware are common examples. Lector - n. Complimentary term used by boostergang members about a non-gang member when impressed by that individuals ability to perform acts of extreme violence. Leech - n. Street-doc or med-tech. Like kicking dead whales down the beach - ph. Any slow and disgusting job or process Liquefier, Liquidizer - n. Any weapon capable of inflicting obscene amounts of damage to the human body, particularly automatic shotguns. Lizard Brain - ph. a cold, calculating, unemotional person, somebody always running in pure floating point mode (e.g. Mr. Spock). Loa - n. Vudon gods that some Netrunners claim are the cause of gibsons.

Terms - "M"

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Term Meaning Maglev - n. Shorthand term for a magnetic levitation train. Make a deposit in the body bank - ph. To die. Matrix - n. Another term for cyberspace. Meat Puppet - ph. A prostitute whose memory and/or senses are disabled temporarily. Mega, Megacorp - n. Large (global or extra-planetary) corporation. Mentat - n. Brainy individual, specifically one who will stare at a problem without moving for a while and come up with an answer without doing any apparent intermediate steps (like writing things down). Metalhead - n. Individual with a fully mechanical body - a full `Borg. Metro, the - n. The subway or underground. Microsoft - n. See Biosoft. Mileetsya - n. (Rus.) Corruption of the Russian pronunciation of `Militia', typically used in reference to corporate security or the military. Moddy - n. A personality module. A cyber-data chip which allows the user to assume (and become totally submerged in) the personality of another person (real or fictional). Monkey - n. The business term for an expendable person. (See also Scratch Monkey.) Monkey Trick - ph. A job in which a monkey is not expected to survive intact. Morningstar - n. Generic term for incendiary or fragmentation grenades or devices. Motorhead - n. A rigger or mechanic. Mouse Around - ph. To explore in a very low profile manner (e.g. "Let's mouse around the perimeter and see if we can find a way in."). Mr. Johnson - n. Any anonymous employer or corporate agent. Mr. Who - n. (Also "The Who") label for an employer or person of higher authority. MuscleBoy/Girl - n. A person with muscle grafts. Mushi - n. (Jap.) Computer glitch. Muzak-Man - n. Derogatory term for a rocker who has sold out to an entertainment corporation. (Syn. "synth-soul" or "castrato".)

Terms - "N"

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Term Meaning Neh - exp. (Jap.) Interrogative; "Right?" Nerdlings - n. Immature nerds, implying inconsequential, generally annoying. Pejorative term. Nerks - n. Agents or officials of the National Emergency Resource Control Commission (under the Provisional U.S. government). Net - n. Another term for cyberspace. NetFet - n. Net Fetishist. Derogatory term for a netrunner who can only relate to life in the Net. Netrun - n. A session spent interfaced to a cyberdeck and exploring the matrix (cyberspace), usually in the course of invading a corporate database. Netrunner - n. See Deckjockey. NewTek - n. An item or device exhibiting the very latest technological advances. Nine - n. A pistol (from 9mm.) Nutrisoy - n. Cheap processed food product derived from soybeans, fortified with most essential vitamins.

Terms - "O"

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Term Meaning Obi-Wan - ph. (Net) An older 'runner helping a young one on his first runs. Observer - n. (Net) An Artifical Intelligence (AI) with an android body, trying to integrate itself to a human society. Often percieved as threats or spies by paranoid netrunners. Synonyms include Overseer, Outsider and Watcher in the Dark. One and Twenty, the - ph. The twenty-first century. Oo'zhas - v. (Rus.) Awful. Terrible. Organitskaya - n. (Rus.) The Russian Mob. Output - n. Boyfriend, male companion.

Terms - "P"

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Term Meaning Padawan - n. (Net) A young Netrunner, a learner Panzer - n. Any ground-effect combat vehicle. Panzerjock - n. An expert panzer operator. Paranoid - adj. Someone who has all the facts. Paydata - n. Datafile worth money on the black market. Perp - n. Perpetrator. A criminal or suspected criminal. Pig-Rig - ph. A police car. Plex - n. A metropolitan complex, or `metroplex'. Pods - n. People who are very much alike in thought, behavior, and appearance. Pejorative term. Also Podlings - particularly immature variations of the Pods. Polymer One-shot - n. A cheap line of polymer plastic, non-reloadable handguns. Very inexpensive, and very unreliable, they come in a variety of colors. Pony - n. A low-level streetdealer, lower on the social scale than a Fixer. (Origin: from a pony's ability to carry, but possibly also from London slang: pony = 20 pounds(); ponies very rarely sell expensive items.) Poppers - n. Pop-up weaponry concealed in a cyberlimb. Porky - n. Someone who loves or collects weapons, and is usually bristling with them (from "porcupine"). Poser - n. Any gang members who model themselves after a famous (usually dead) individual, even to the extent of having themselves surgically altered to resemble the famous person. Progs, Proggies - n. Agents or officials of the Provisional Government of the United States. Proles - n. Lower class individuals, usually non-citizens; Street scum. See Zero. Promethean - n. An Observer hosted in a biologic clone body, as opposed to a cybernetic 'borg shell. Originated from the Tsunami Arms Prometheus Project (read Stealing the Fire for info on that). No Prometheans can be proven to really exist, but some paranoid 'runners claim that they're out there, biding their time... Puppet - n. See Meat Puppet.

Terms - "Q"

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Term Meaning Quakers - n. Missiles or rockets.

Terms - "R"

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Term Meaning R&P - ph. "Rape and Pillage." To engage in an activity with excessive force or violence. Rainbow File - n. The research and development data of a company. Ram - n. Personality (from computer jargon, RAM). Rat-Lab - n. Prisons in the Provisional U.S., where prisoners are used as experimental subjects for medical research, cyberware development, chemical warfare tests, etc. Most consider a sentence to a rat lab to be no different than a death sentence. Ray-Ban Mode - ph. wearing shades. Razor(boy/girl/gal/guy/etc...) - n. Heavily cybered samurai or other muscle-for-hire. Reality Junkie - n. Addicts to Virtual Reality, Braindance, the Net, or video games. Reconfig - v. To kill or die in a particularly messy fashion, usually with a knife. Recycling - v. Environmentally friendly act of killing someone and taking the corpse to a body bank. Reduce - v. Slang for physical violence (e.g. "Hey asshole, shut down your screamer or I'll reduce your face!"). See also packing, spindling, stomping, etc. Reduction - n. The act of reducing something or someone. Reflex Chip - n. See Apter. Rigger - n. A specialized type of deckjockey who is an expert at cybernetic link-up to, and control of, a machine (typically a vehicle or building security system). Rimbo - n. A gun-totting sex kitten (a rambo bimbo). Ripperdoc - n. A surgeon who specializes in implanting illegal or unregistered cyberware. Rock - v. To kick or punch someone violently, especially in the head. Rocker - n. Any musician or stage performer who uses their art to make political or social statements. As opposed to `Rockstars' who are `owned' by recording companies or other corps, and are apolitical. Rogue - n. An AI which has "escaped" from it's node in cyberspace and is no longer under human control. Rogue Hunter - n. A netrunner who tracks down and captures (or eliminates) rogues. Ronin - n. A freelance assassin or mercenary. Usually considered to be untrustworthy.

Terms - "S"

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Term Meaning Samurai - n. (Jap.) Mercenary or muscle-for-hire. Implies code of honor. (Syn. Street samurai.) Sand - v. Phonetic pronunciation of the phrase "S-and-D", for "Search and Destroy." To sand someone or something is to locate and severely damage them or it. Sarariman - n. (Jap.) A corporate employee. Sardine - n. A soldier wearing Powered Armor. Scratch - n. Money. Scratch Monkey - n. (Obsc. hacker ref.) Any expendable substitute used in place of a more valuable item, on the off chance that it might be damaged or destroyed. Screamer - n. 1) Slang for mouth (e.g. "Hey asshole, shut down your screamer!" 2) Something fast, sleek, and sexy, used as an expression of admiration (e.g. "She/He/It's a real screamer!) 3) Somebody who screams a lot while being reduced 4) Somebody who screams a lot while being tightly interfaced. 5) Credstick (or card) or other ID that triggers computer alarms if used. 6) A ultrasonic alarm system. Screamsheet - n. Fax-type hardcopy newspapers, available by-the-page from street corner dispensers, especially one catering to non-issues of the minute (e.g. USA Today, National Enquirer). Coined by Walter Jon Williams. Scroll, the - ph. 1) The constant, unremitting, and overwhelming barrage of information absorbed by everyone in modern society from the modern media, from cyberspace feed, from the grapevine, and from any other means we have of tuning in to the world state (E.g. we find out about the latest war in the Middle East, the latest hardware, the latest vaporware from The Scroll). 2) The term used to describe the messages, bulletins, and other data daily being produced and scrolled off various cyberspace systems. Shirt - n. A white-collar worker, usually a low level corporate employee. Short-circ - ph. See Fuse. Shortwire - v. To burn out, flame out, splash down and generally crash mentally. Shredder - n. A minigun or auto-cannon. Shut Down - ph. to shut up, used as an exclamation (e.g. "Hey asshole, shut down!") Sidewalk outline - ph. A recently deceased person, or to one who expected to die soon. The reference is to the chalk outline drawn around a dead body at a murder scene by the police. SimSense - n. Simulated Sensory input, usually from a commercial recording. SimStim - n. Simulated stimulation of the senses, usually from a DNI recording. SIN - n. Single (or System) Identification Number. An ID number unique to each citizen. Many street people (nomads, derelicts) are said to be "SINless", i.e. without a SIN. This makes them unknown (non-existent) to the system. It allows them to move about in society more freely than a recorded citizen, but also allows the enforcers of society (police and corp. security) to punish/abuse them without due process since, technically, they do not exist. SIN Card - n. A registered citizens universal ID card. It functions as a combination ID card, driver's license, medical data, organ donor, residence, and ATM card, all in one. Losing this card can have serious side effects for the owner. SINless - adj. someone without a SIN. See Blank. Skeleton - n. All the collected electronic records kept on an individual; their electronic identity. Skillsoft - n. See Apter or Biosoft. Skirt - n. An ordinary (defenseless) person (male or female.) Skyball - n. A satellite (usually surveillance). Slam - v. To assault or beat up (e.g. "Let's go slam some `dorphers.") Slam it - ph. Generic expletive (Syn. kiss off, up yours.) Slap Patch - n. See derm. Slice - n. 1) A credit card. 2) An electric-powered racing cycle. Slice n' dice - n. A mono-filament cyberweapon, usually mounted in the tip of a finger, which is used as a garrotte or whip. It will cut through almost all organic material and most plastics. Slicer - n. One who ride a slice. Slot - v. 1) Mild curse word (i.e. "Slot THIS, chummer!"). 2) To plug a moddy or daddy into a DNI. 3) To have sex. Slot and run - ph. Hurry up, get to the point, move it. Smart - n. Any device which has been augmented to interface with a user via cyberware; usually applies to weapons or vehicles. Smudge - n. Pronunciation of the acronym SMG (SubMachineGun); thus, a submachinegun. So ka - ph. (Jap.) I understand, I get it. Solo - n. A mercenary who works the streets. A combat specialist for-hire. Used as bodyguards, assassins, and soldiers, individually or in groups. Soykaf - n. Coffee substitute made from soybeans. Sphincter Factor - ph. A level of disgust, nervousness, or fear (usually on a scale of 1 to 10.) Spill - v. To spend money. Spit Jockey - ph. On camera (video) news reader, anchor, host. (also known as Talking Heads) Splash - v. To shoot down. E.g. to splash an idea, or "Splash that bastard!" Splat job - n. A dead body, usually messy. Also sometimes used to describe a person (or persons) who are `cannon fodder' and are not expected to live much longer. SplatMaster - n. Generic term for any paintball-type air pistol. Formerly a trademarked name. Sprawl - 1) n. A huge metropolitan area, usually consisting of several merged mega-cities, covered a large portion of a landmass. 2) v. The prone position the bronze order perps to assume. State of the Art - ph. 1) Hipper than Hip. 2) To be on the edge. Straightener - n. A less than affectionate form of address for a psychiatrist. Aka `shrink'. Straphangers - n. Derogatory term for commuters. Stud - n. See Jack. Stunning - adj. Mind-bogglingly stupid. Used sarcastically. Suit - n. A straight citizen, usually a corporate employee. Surprise Party - ph. What your opponents are likely to get if you break your Trauma Team card during a firefight. Suss - v. To solve a problem, figure out something, understand. Svoluch - n. (Rus.) 1) Derogatory term for someone without honor. 2) A bastard. Swarm - n. Any large nomad convoy. Sweedack - ph. Concurrence, or "I agree". From the French Canadian "Je suis d'accord." Synth-soul - n. See Muzak-Man.

Terms - "T"

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Term Meaning T-800 - n. A 'borg made to look human such as Raven's Gemini. Tag Team - n. A (usually corporate-sponsored) gang whose fights with other Tag Teams are covered by the vid networks as a commercial combat sport. Tapdance - n. See Floor Routine. Tchort - n. (Rus.) Literally "Devil". A common expletive. Team - n. A gang. Teamster - n. A gang member. Techno Scum - ph. A personally very unpleasant, but technically brilliant individual. Tek - n. 1) An item of a highly technical nature. 2) A technician of any kind. Thirdman - n. See Fixer. ThreeVee - n. Also 3-V. Holovision. A 3-dimension projection system which has superceded the television as the primary form of information delivery. Throwback - n. Derogatory term for an exotic. Tiger -n. (Net) A military netrunner. Tight Interfacing - ph. To have sex. Tin Can - n. A suit of Powered Armor. Tip - n. A token credchip; a very small amount of money. Trash Run - ph. See Garbage Detail. Trog - n. Short for troglodyte. A derogatory term meant to indicate that an individual is subhuman or extremely ugly or misshapen. Twinkie - n. A naive, defenseless, vulnerable, or otherwise useless person. Twitch - n. A careless, scatterbrained, or otherwise unreliable individual. Twitchers - n. Taser and, by extension, any electricity-based weapon.

Terms - "V"

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Term Meaning Vader - n. (Net) Any hostile sysop or AI, especially one after you. Valkyrie - n. An assault helicopter or hover vehicle in attack mode. Valuta - n. (Rus.) Literally "foreign currency". Refers to any hard currency, either electronic (cards, sticks) or scrip. Vatjob - n. 1) A person with extensive cyberware replacement. 2) Organic enhancement by means of vat-grown tissue or muscle. Very - v. Hip term for `cool' or `in'. Vidflick - n. Flat screen entertainment that predates 3D or holographic projection. Old style TV or movie. Vidiot - n. A Virtual Reality or video game addict. VRcade - n. A Virtual Reality, Braindance, and/or video game arcade or parlor.

Terms - "W"

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Term Meaning WageSlave - n. See Shirt. Watcher in the Dark - ph. See Observer. Wearing color - ph. Usually associated with streetgangs, to wear clothing with colors or designs which identify you with a specific gang. Wetware - n. 1) Human augmentation mechanisms based on biochemical methods. E.g. biochemical processors, custom crafted DNA, custom biological tissue, brain implants/grafts, mind/body altering drugs (rare). As opposed to hardware which is based on artificial, physics based methods, e.g. chips. 2) Slang for cyber-augmentation of skills or other mental functions. 3) The human brain (a backhanded reference to normal organic thought processes.) Wetwork - n. Assassination. Murder. Wired - adj. Equipped with cyberware, especially increased reflexes. Wirehead - n. 1) Someone addicted to computers or electronic communication (e.g. a person who would rather hack than eat or have sex). 2) Someone addicted to electric stimulation directly applied to the pleasure centers of the brain. Wiz - v. Very impressive. Word, the - ph. The latest gossip or rumors on the street.

Terms - "Y"

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Term Meaning Yono - n. (Kor.) A person who is scum or a low life. (From the Korean "Yonomoseki").

Terms - "Z"

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Term Meaning Zero - 1) n. See Blank. 2) v. To delete or destroy a piece of software. 3) v. To kill someone. 4) n. Midnight (From zero-hour.) Zone - n. See Combat Zones.

Sources

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CyberPunk RPG by R. Talsorian Games. Shadowrun RPG by FASA. CyberSpace RPG by Iron Crown Enterprises. GURPS RPG CyberPunk/Cyberworld supplements. Misc. CyberPunk Fiction by William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, George Alec Effinger, John Brunner, et. al. Collins Third-Street-Slang Dictionary, by David Perry (Challenge magazine, issue 68) The Neo-Anarchists Guide to Everything Else, Volumes 1-4, by Jerry Stratton. Additional terms by Britt Klein, Ridley McIntyre, Mark Cook and Agamemnon.