What Does FAM Mean in London Slang?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of London slang, you may have come across the term “FAM” quite often. But what exactly does FAM mean?

What is FAM?

FAM is a shortened version of the word “family”. However, in London slang, it’s used to address friends or a group of people that one considers as close as family.

Origins

The origin of FAM in London slang can be traced back to the early 2000s when it was used by the UK Grime scene. Grime is a genre of music that originated in East London and has since spread across the UK and beyond. The use of FAM in Grime lyrics helped popularize the term among young people across London.

Usage

FAM is usually used to address a close group of friends or acquaintances. It’s similar to terms like “crew” or “gang”, but with a more positive connotation.

For example, one could say “what’s up fam?” as a greeting to their friends.

Variations

Like many other slang words, FAM has variations depending on context and location. In some parts of London, it’s used as an adjective to describe something that’s cool or impressive. For example, “that new track is fam” means that the new track is great.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FAM is a popular term in London slang that refers to close friends or acquaintances who are considered like family. Its usage has spread beyond the UK Grime scene and is now commonly used among young people across London and beyond. So next time you hear someone use the term “fam”, you’ll know exactly what they mean!