MANDEM

What Does MANDEM Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

MANDEM means "Gang" or "Group Of Male Friends."

More Detail...

MANDEM is a slang word that is thought to have originated in Caribbean Pidgin English and is now widely used to refer to a "Gang" or "Group Of Male Friends." In the UK, the word MANDEM has been incorporated into the name of a number of street gangs, such as the Tottenham MANDEM, based in North London (which was implicated in the murder of a Police Officer in 1985). The word MANDEM features prominently in the title and lyrics of African and African-inspired songs, including the 2019 song from "Afrofusion" singer Burna Boy:

Burna Boy - Mandem Anthem [Official Video]

Image for MANDEM

When I write MANDEM, I mean this:

A MANDEM can be a group or gang of men or boys.

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

MANDEM
Definition:	Gang or Group Of Male Friends
Type:	Slang Word (Jargon)
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of MANDEM in Sentences

Here are examples of MANDEM in conversations:

• Son: Who's coming round tonight?
• Father: My MANDEM.
• Son: You are so uncool!

• Mother: Where's John?
• Father: He's hanging with the MANDEM.
• Mother: And where's that, in English?

An Academic Look at MANDEM

MANDEM is a slang word which (like "Gang") is used as a collective noun for a "Group Of Male Friends." Slang refers to words, phrases and uses of language that are regarded as very informal and which are often restricted to a special context or a particular group of users. A collective noun is a noun (naming word) for a group of people or things (e.g., family, crew, colleagues).

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

The use of MANDEM to refer to a "Gang" or "Group Of Male Friends" predates the digital era.

Example of MANDEM Used in a Text

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