Street slang — weapons & violence

This theme groups Dutch street-slang terms that refer to weapons, physical violence and lethal violence. It covers names for weapons (gannoe — firearm, niffie/shank — knife) and actions (shooten — to shoot someone, prikken — to stab, laten slapen — to kill, hitman — contract killer). Terms may appear as quotation, bragging or in threatening language. Because of the direct reference to weapons and life-threatening violence, this theme receives the highest urgency as soon as it falls within a serious pattern.

Weapon and violence language carries significant weight, but it remains a signal — not automatically proof. Weigh whether the term is targeted and concrete (a specific person, place or time) or general or quoted (rap lyrics, gaming, bravado). Fittie (argument/fighting) is lighter on its own, but together with gannoe, niffie/shank or prikken it points to a conflict that may escalate physically. A concrete threat towards an identifiable victim, or possession of a weapon, justifies immediate escalation.

In the event of a concrete threat, an identifiable victim or suspected possession of a weapon: this is no longer about identifying concerns but about acute safety — escalate immediately according to your safety protocol and involve the police.

• Assess severity on the basis of concreteness, targeting and context — not on an isolated word.
• For non-acute concerns: flag them, discuss with colleagues and in the care and safety consultation (zorg- en veiligheidsoverleg).
• Have the conversation calmly and without confrontation; your own safety and that of the person involved come first.

These meanings are never fixed. Street slang varies by young person, friendship group, region, platform and context. A term is never proof in itself, but it can be a signal when it fits within a broader pattern of language use, behaviour, posts, contacts and offline signals. Use this overview as a tool for identifying concerns, not as an instrument of proof.

• straattaal_betekenissen.docx (table "Straattaal - betekenis", columns woord/betekenis)