Urban Slang Confuses Mumsnet Parents: Produces Hilarious Episodes

Speaking 'teen' is one of the bigger challenges to parenting. This not only pertains to understandings the tendencies, moods, behaviour and trending culture of young adults but also entails actually deciphering jargons and urban slangs that teenagers use in verbal communication.

Calling on the power of UK website Mumsnet's vast peer-to-peer network, a parent asked for help on figuring out an urban slang that her teen-aged son used.  While some parents may attempt this understanding to add to their cool parent factor, some find the effort a worthwhile idea as a matter of safety and security for their children. 

The UK government's Department of Education launched a collection called Online Teen Speak on Parent Info in an effort to help parents keep up with their children and keep their children safe while online. But despite pooled efforts, the hapless mom and a few more parents on Mumsnet came out none the wiser over what the slang roadman meant. The parenting advice site's 'by parents for parents' tag line bombed ever so slightly in this instance.

"Can you ask your teens what 'roadman' means please," the teen-ager's parent originally posted this on the website. "Google is bringing up several different variations and I am curious to know if my son is being mocked, praised or insulted.

"I asked him and he said 'thug life innit' and to be honest I am none the wiser. The mom added, "I'm not even sure that was English."

A few parents responded to the appeal and also came up with varying degrees of a blank. "Mine doesn't know," said parent King Joffrey Likes Jaffa Cakes. "Modern version of a highway man? Someone who repairs roads?"

Parent LLouh tried to help, recalling a conversation with her 19-year old son who said that roadman means the same as baller. She added that the term may have a similar meaning as gangster.

Parent Starlingbrook, however, replied with certainty that baller and roadman mean very different things. Although the following exchange shared by Shodan did not shed much light to the puzzle,  it was hilarious nonetheless.

"Shodan: What's a roadman?

"Son: I don't know.

"Shodan: Ok what's a wasteman?

"Son: I don't know. Someone who manages waste?

"Shodan: Ok so what's a baller?

"Son: I don't know. Are you on Mumsnet again?"

Urban Dictionary gives the much-sought answer to the question stating that roadman is a slang from the 21st century, which pertains to a boy - usually a teenaged boy - who knows the ins and outs of an area and the people in the area as thoroughly as he knows the back of his hands. The definition adds that a roadman is also involved in popular activities and events such as parties and cruising or driving.